Archive of Our Own ^beta

Chapter Text

Arranged marriages between clans weren't very common in Kirigakure.

It's not that they didn't happen, more that it was normally used as a last resort for important issues such as forming peace treaties; even with the end of the Warring States era, there were some clans who still looked down on each other. It was a symbol of two factions putting aside their differences in the name of unifying their clans for the chance at peace.

However in this case, this betrothal was a show of good will between two clans of Kiri who are very friendly with each other and wished to unite by wedding the two youngest to each other from birth-introducing them and letting the courtship progress at the two's own pace as they didn't wish there to be resentment between them.

The clans were Hoshigaki and Momochi. They were two of the most well known amongst the world of shinobi and whose lineage was known for training the deadliest in Kirigakure. Legend is they both were of relation to the ancient Samebito, yokai who were hybrids of men and sharks hence why many of them had features such as gills, mouths full of sharp teeth and for some the very eyes of a shark.

The people of Kiri-civilian and ninja alike-knew of this arrangement. It had become major gossip that the pair who were betrothed had grown up together.

They have been inseparable for as long as the moon has controlled the tides.

As far as they were concerned they were close even when they were small and the worries of adulthood were far, far away from their minds. Even the children of shinobi were blind to the horrors of this world, having their minds fed by tales of glory and legends that were made during the great wars. He remembered how it felt to use sticks as fake weapons, the pure fun they had as they would play out those very stories in a time when the future of Kiri seemed much brighter.

He was two years older than Zabuza; when they first met, he was a toddler who had begun to have teeth and the Momochi boy was but a baby who still nursed from his mother's breast. Yet the moment he was able to walk they both practically stuck together with the younger holding on to the older toddler's hand and keeping close to him. It was honestly such a charming and heartwarming thing to witness between them as they became older and the affection between them grew.

Well...Kisame liked to think it grew.

He was a tall boy, even by genin standards, having had a growth spurt after his twelfth birthday. It's something he was rather awkward about even though he knew that it was normal for those in his clan to be rather tall; especially those who have presented as alphas.

It made his father hopeful that his son would present as such. Kisame didn't much care for what his presentation dynamic ended up becoming; only that he was going to become a powerful shinobi one day and that he would be marrying Zabuza of the Momochi clan-although he was also concerned when he heard about Zabuza being kept from going to the Academy yet.

He couldn't understand why. Zabuza despite being younger by two years was very gifted in swordsmanship as seen when training with their parents and each other.

"Uuuuugh..."

Kisame looked up from the porch he sat upon, dressed in a navy yukata with little turquoise sharks sewn into the edge of the sleeves as he had his legs crossed. In his hands was one of his father's swords that he had been in the middle of cleaning, currently on the wet block as he was letting it rest. Approaching him, in a pair of dark grey hakama pants and a white haori with the Momochi clan symbol on the back; a red peach that was stabbed through with a sword.

Zabuza's brows were furrowed as a vein had popped in his forehead while his mouth set into a rather miserable firm line. Just by his expression alone, Kisame knew he was in a bad mood as he sat down with a heavy thump beside his future spouse. Carefully he takes his hands off the sword he's cleaning and turns to the other with a raised brow and his head tilted.

Shark-like eyes blink slowly at him before he lightly poked him; it earned him a small growl as Zabuza's lip curled to show his sharp, uneven teeth underneath. Onyx eyes snap to him as he gives a sharp huff before he slowly moves closer to him. He wouldn't admit it but that small action made Kisame feel a little flutter in his chest. He wrapped his arm around him with half lidded eyes.

"You look like you swam into a bunch of anemone."

"If by that you mean am I getting sick of my father not enrolling me in the shinobi academy yet despite being able to lift the broad sword? Then yes," Zabuza growled quietly, "Stupid, stubborn old man...just because we're not a rich clan, thinks I need to take longer to get in the academy."

Kisame gently rested his chin on his shoulder as he listened to the other curse and vent about the unfairness of being held back while others his own age were already progressing and would soon be graduating the academy. He didn't know why it made a difference that Zabuza came from a poor clan while Kisame came from a clan a little more well off enough that he was selected instead of having to take a final exam.

Another growl leaves Zabuza as he then grabs at his own hair and pulls on it with his lips set in a grimace, "It's not fair that you're already graduated in a squad while I'll just be stuck behind you! It's bullshit! You and I were being trained at the same time, in the same skill set, and yeah you're two years older than me but I am literally excelling in my training!"

It was taking every fiber of self control not to burst into laughter. He can't help but find his expression of frustration so endearing; it's something he could never not laugh at even when they argued.

They were two kids, best friends and each other's future. They knew each other so well that in the eyes of strangers it was a no-brainer why they were arranged to be married the moment they both are over the age of eighteen. For now though the pair were friends who were allowed to spend time alone without the worry of a chaperone. Not yet anyways.

For now they are kids who haven't presented their dynamics, just enjoying each other's company while sharing their worries, fears and hopes.

"Well you know Zabuza, if you're as good as you say then it shouldn't be a problem for you to break into the final exam and take it," Kisame poked his side with a lopsided grin, "Just try not to get too carried away with passing and don't get caught by the proctors, you tend to be a little loud on your feet."

"Oh shut up, it's not like you're any better. Your sword is too long and drags on the ground!"

A cackle left Kisame's lips as he tilted back his head, "I used to drag it on the ground until I stopped sheathing it at my hip to start putting it on my back!"

Zabuza rolled his dark eyes before he looked towards the wet stone, his expression becoming unreadable as his bangs cast a shadow on the top half of his face. The laughter died down before the taller boy nudged his side with his elbow and then lowered down a bit so he can look up at the other.

"You know there's a rumor that this final exam is specially made for those from poorer and lesser clans for a reason. I don't know what reason that could be but perhaps your father is trying to buy a little more time so you're completely prepared. Though I think you'd be fine; we always end up in a tie when we spar after all."

He swears with how close he is to Zabuza's chest he hears his heartbeat skip as he offers him a more genuine smile. It was true; despite being older, Kisame couldn't beat Zabuza and vice versa. Even being trained by their parents and the difference in their swords, people wondered how they two managed to keep ahead of others who challenged them yet neither could ever outdo the other.

"...You really do think that, huh?"

"Well considering you and I have been playing swordsmen since we could both walk, yeah. You're shorter than I am and are able to lift that big sword your father makes you spar with."

"Bigger than yours," Zabuza murmured before he yelled when he's pulled into a headlock and then feels the coarse knuckles rubbing against his scalp unpleasantly but not painfully.

Kisame huffed, "Just because my sword isn't that monstrosity doesn't mean I can't wield a large one! After all, I'm going to become a member of the Seven Swordsmen one day!"

"If they think you have the skill!" Zabuza reminded him, "They only select the best off the best for each sword! If they do pick you they'll give you the lightest one in weight, probably Nuibari," He grunted as he was released.

"Oh come on, not that one, are you kidding me? You've seen me with threads, I'd end up too caught up in making sure they didn't get knotted."

"True. Then which one would you hope to get trained for if one of them noticed you?"

For once, he grows quiet at Zabuza's question. He turns his gaze to the mangroves that surround the Hoshigaki compound; the roots reminding him of gnarled cages as the shadows of fish dart beneath the water's surface beneath the large porch they sat on. The silence between the boys felt heavier than the fog that fell around these parts of Kiri, the mirth between them earlier completely disappeared.

"...Kisame?"

"...Samehada," His voice was barely a whisper when he said it, "I want to wield Samehada."

It was the most unusual and powerful of the Seven Swords; it was alive with a hunger for chakra be it from its wielder or the enemies it's used to bring down. It was the deadliest yet the most difficult to master and thus made it harder to find a successor for it. Though even with the fog slowly becoming thicker, he saw the look of disbelief on the other's face.

Zabuza looked as if he wanted to say something, yet when he opened his mouth nothing left his lips.

"..Kisa-"

"We should head inside before the fog gets too thick. I doubt your father wants you returning back home in this," he stands up suddenly, effectively cutting him off and picking up the sword he had been working on earlier, now preparing to store it away. He would finish cleaning at a later time when he could better focus and hopefully his father wouldn't be too hard on him.

He looked back at Zabuza, gaging his expression; how he looked off to the side when he realized he was in his sights and then scratched at the side of his neck rather awkwardly before he sighed and blew some air up to get his bangs out of his eyes. He can't help but feel a sense of disappointment beginning to bubble up from him the longer that the younger boy kept quiet. 

Maybe he shouldn't be surprised; rumors spoke of how difficult such a blade was and how it has become harder over the years to find a suitable shinobi who can use it.

"...Yeah, okay," Zabuza walks past him into the house though when he paused to wait for the other to close the door he turned his head to the side, "...For what it's worth, Fuguki-sama would be a fool not to give you a shot at wielding Samehada."

Kisame was grateful he had his back turned to the other as he felt the tell tale warmth in his cheeks that gave away that he was blushing.

Mainly because hearing that from Zabuza made him unbelievably happy.

...

It was a few days later, and he still felt that happiness that swells so warmly in his chest. Maybe it was seen as childish for him to be acting like this, especially since he was supposed to be focused on their current task; to stand watch at the Northern border to ensure no one was trying to infiltrate Kirigakure. It was at most a B ranked mission; meaning it was still important, but not high risk.

He was sitting and watching the sun reflecting off the surface of the ocean; their post being a small hut with a table, a latrine and four futons, their rations carefully stocked up against the wall beside the door. He and his teammates-two other genin-were currently taking a breather as their sensei was out checking their traps; for both intruders and game to cook to save on their rations more.

Kisame watches the waves crash down softly against the sand outside as his eyes are half lidded as he is completely lost in his own thoughts.

"Kisame-kun?"

"Are you good?"

"I don't think he can hear us, Mei..."

"Of course he can, Juzo, he just probably is lost in his thoughts again. Kisame!"

"Kisame-kun, wake up or Ao-sensei will come back and kick your ass!"

He jolted out of his own head when he got a flick to his temple; turning with a growl towards his teammates; Mei Terumi and Juzo Biwa. He and Mei were in the same year while Juzo had been held back a few times-for what reasons he didn't know, however he's sure if he had failed again the academy would have surely kicked him out-and was the oldest of the three genin.

"What?" He huffed at the pair of them.

Juzo snorted as he crossed his arms now, his short hair held back by his headband an earth pinecone shade as he had a large broadsword on his back. He too was also trained in the way of swordsmanship. Mei smiles at him with her long pretty dark crimson hair and her soft green eyes, looking radiant despite not being all prettied up like in their academy days.

"You were daydreaming," the kunoichi rests her elbows on the table and cupped her chin under her hands, "Were you thinking of something? Or perhaps someone~?"

Kisame narrowed his eyes before he averted them while resting his chin on his hand, "That's none of your business."

"We're on a mission, you know, to watch the border?" Juzo sits down across from him at the table, arms crossed, "Yet you don't seem to be keen on focusing on it."

"It's the border with the least amount of breaches, only suicidal or insane people would attempt to try and sneak in from this area."

"Whatever you say kid..."

"You are only two years older than me and Mei, Juzo!"

"I know, so shouldn't you be calling me senpai?'

"No."

"What do you mean no?!"

"The day I call you senpai, is the day I retire from being a shinobi."

Mei giggles as she listens to them both bicker, sitting down in the third chair and watching as they continue. Despite how often the two of them have such sharp retorts for each other, they worked well as a team when they were required to fight. She was so used to them trading verbal barbs at this point that when they weren't it was considered worrisome.

"I bet you were thinking about Momochi-kun~" She giggled, wiggling her fingers at Kisame, "You really do care about him a lot don't you?"

Kisame turned to Mei now, ignoring Juzo's grumbling about 'ungrateful kouhai', and he immediately schools his face into a neutral grimace, as not to give away anything, "He's my betrothed, and he's been my best friend since forever. Why wouldn't I care about him?'

"Well most people who are betrothed either want nothing to do with each other, are simply civil, or are doing it for purely peaceful reasons. To a lot of people in Kiri you're both a special case. Am I wrong?"

"Mei-"

Juzo cuts him off with a snort, "You mean Zabuza? He hasn't been enrolled in the academy yet has he? I'm a little surprised, the Momochi have some pretty skilled swordsmen, despite not coming from a high classed clan."

"So? It's not like he's past the age limit to enroll, he still has two years to do so."

"Yeah, but can he learn everything he needs to pass the final exam for those who are low born? I mean granted he's pretty talented," Juzo hummed as he leaned back in his seat, "I shouldn't be surprised if he passes the final exam with flying colors, but at the same time he would be at a disadvantage."

Mei has gone quiet when the final exam is brought up, as Kisame notices she turns her face away from them. It's one of the few times he's witnessed her grow quiet and like some of the other times it was because the Final Exam was brought up. He knows she comes from a family in the lower class, so she was made to take the exam. If he's honest he believed that having such extra measures for those born in poor families was a stupid rule.

If anything, he's seen those born on the streets having more skills than those in the high class and if he's being honest those born in privilege should be taking it too, but alas he is a Genin with no authority.

"...I can't blame your betrothed's father for hesitating to enroll him."

Kisame almost jumped out of his seat when she spoke, having been settling into the quiet and once he processed what she said, he couldn't help the sudden need to be defensive, "Hah?"

"I'm just saying that the final exam is...it's a very brutal test. Many students have died during it and those who pass...they aren't the same again," she slowly tugged on her fingers, wringing her hands as she spoke. Her eyes were staring off at no particular point as if she wasn't completely present in the moment.

"..What do you mean?"

"I mean that they expect us to kill anyone and everyone; friends, peers, it doesn't matter. Once it starts everyone is a target and only those still standing at the end pass. It's...brutal." Mei isn't looking at either of them as she averted her eyes to the ground and now she was anxiously cracking her knuckles while slowly motoring her leg.

It was unnerving to witness her like this. In all the time he's known Mei, he's never known her to lose her calm even when faced with a difficult task on their missions. He knew the test would be hard for anyone...but was it really as bad as she was making it out to be? Zabuza was skilled but as Kisame thinks more about it he can't help the worry that grips him.

"Well...of course it's going to be brutal," Juzo says finally, "It was designed by the Yondaime Mizukage to ensure that those of no significant bloodlines can become stronger and prove themselves worthy shinobi of Kiri. If you survive then that means you were meant to be the strongest. We are called the Village of the Bloody Mist for a reason."

"Ahem."

The three genin jump, all turning their eyes to the door. There stood their sensei with his powdered blue hair, a cover over his right eye as earrings with special kanji inscribed on the tags there. He had a stern, strict air about him, adjusting his green haori as he walked to them.

"Such matters do not concern you three any longer. We have a job to do and no time to dwell on things out of our control," Ao rumbled as he crossed his arms over his chest, "I don't want to hear another word on this subject while guarding the border, understood?"

"Yes, Sensei."

Kisame bit down light on the inside of his lips as his thoughts swam around in his head like fish in a bowl, swarming over one thing as he tried to hide the sudden spike of anxiety.

it shouldn't be a problem for you to break into the final exam and take it.

He shakes his head, trying to disperse the uneasiness as he remembered the words he spoke to Zabuza days ago. Surely, the younger wouldn't take it to heart, he was smarter than that. The Exam wasn't even until the start of summer when the air was at its muggiest and made the mist thicker at night.

For once he gives a quiet prayer that his best friend was smart and wouldn't risk his life just to prove himself to his father.

...

From a very young age, Zabuza can't remember a time when he didn't wish to be a swordsman.

His mind was filled with stories and legends by his parents, hanging on to their every word about the swordsmen who served Kiri with deadly precision and great loyalty. He remembers the first time he held a real sword in his hand to train with, remembers the excitement when it connected with Kisame's and sparks flew off. The joy at holding the weapon and being able to match the other's skill despite the two years between them.

The euphoric high alone after lasted him days, especially sharing in it with the one person he was closest to.

However as the time passed, the frustration at not being enrolled into the academy began to put a damper on any joy he felt from training and sparring. He was only eleven, yet it felt like something burned in his blood every time he had his sword. He couldn't place it, but it made him unreasonably angry whenever he's denied the chance to enroll.

It was becoming too much for him to contain...he needed to do something...to prove himself to everyone in Kiri that he was meant to become a legendary swordsman, if not one of the Seven Swordsmen like Kisame wanted to be.

This drive, this obsession is what drove him to break into the office of the academy. To check the roster for the test, to see where and when it takes place, who the proctors are and how long it would last. He needed to know everything so he could slip in unnoticed by the proctors of it.

As the days grow warmer, as the spring begins to fade to welcome in the summer season he finds himself becoming jittery. He can't keep his hands still, his jaw and teeth were aching the closer he gets to the exam date. It felt like each minute between now and then was an eternity until finally it's the night before. It felt as if he's been possessed as he grabs what he can for it; rations from the kitchen, kunai and his broadsword from his father's weaponry, the standard shinobi wear that academy students wore.

Yes he was prepared to head out...but not before he left something important.

He sits quietly in front of his window, slowly slipping a small scroll between the cracks in the window, slowly peeking in a moment to see the one person whose opinion mattered most to him. He felt like there were waves of softness rushing through when he saw Kisame; in a sleeping yukata with short sleeves as he lay on his stomach and kept his hands under the pillow. His hair was down from its usually spiky style-he must have gone to the baths-as his lips are parted.

It made the eleven year old smile at his thirteen year old betrothed, sleeping soundly. For a split second Zabuza has second thoughts about doing this; mainly because if he was caught or if he failed it could have a deep impact not just on him but on his best friend too. He didn't want Kisame to suffer if he made a mistake or if he couldn't prove himself worthy of the title of shinobi.

..That's not going to happen. You committed to this because you know you will pass. You'll show them all!

He huffed quietly and sneaked one last glance at Kisame before he turns to make his way towards the academy.

The only way he was failing the Final Exam was if he died out there.

...

Ever since that conversation about the final exams, Kisame noticed something different about himself. How he started to itch along his neck, jawline and temples, how he would feel a phantom pain in his lower stomach when he was moving to adjust his position or trying to just roll over in his sleep. It was obnoxious, but manageable when he takes a painkiller or just rests after his missions.

Until this morning that is.

It felt like the summer heat had somehow crawled under his skin and was completely overwhelming his body when he woke up to the light of dawn slowly shining in through the window. It feels like his thoughts are swimming through molasses as he slowly looks around his room, trying not to be irritated by the sound of the birds outside.

Normally it wasn't this easy to make him annoyed-working with his squad mates has helped him build up a lot of patience-so to wake up like this wasn't something he's used to.

Slowly Kisame pushes himself up and staggers over to the window to let some fresh air in so he could at least cool down a bit-a hiss escaping him when he feels his jaw, back, hips and thighs hurting at the same time. He breathes heavily as he pushes the paper windows open to breath in cool morning air.

Something clattered to the floor and slowly rolled up to bump against his foot. With a dazed grunt he looked down and then crouched to pick up a small scroll and as he rubbed his eyes he hisses when it just causes a headache. Immediately he backed away to be back in his futon so the light wouldn't give him a further headache. When he is sure that his headache had lessened enough to allow him to read he unrolls the scroll.

Hey Kisa

If you are reading this, I've decided to take your advice.

Wish me luck. I hope when we see each other I'll be a genin.

Zabuza.

"..." He squinted his eyes for a moment. His mind was so fuzzy that it was hard to make sense of what he was reading, the words seeming to swim on the page as his gums started to hurt terribly. He hissed as he pressed a hand to his mouth before it hit him.

He scrambled for the doors to the hallway to push his bedroom door open with a renewed sense of urgency-

"Hhrrrk!"

-that was quickly overwhelmed by the pain that ripples from between his legs, then spread to his inner thighs as his legs give out. He wheezed and ended up face planting on the floor while digging his nails into the floor. He had no idea what was going on with his body, or why the scent of shark skin began to fill the space around him. What he does know is that Zabuza was being reckless and his body has turned against him!

"Kisame?!"

A loud grunt left him before he turned his head towards the call; seeing his mother there.

The omega man with long, wild, ebony hair tied back in a ponytail, the same marks along his cheeks that showed where his gills were, and his skin like dark iron takes in his son's predicament a moment. He had the same shark-like eyes his son inherited, assessing the situation as he hurried over. He sniffed the air before he grimaced and helped Kisame to his feet.

"M..Ma..."

"Come on, we need to get you back in your room, now before anyone else smells you."

"Wait...!" Kisame hissed when he attempted to stop him, only to be cut off by a sharp groan of pain.

"Kisame, you need to get into your room now, and close up the window and doors. You are in no shape to go anywhere."

He grunted as he found himself being laid back on his futon, looking up at his mother as his eyes began to go out of focus. While he wasn't a shinobi like the rest of the clan, Shachi Hoshigaki was still a strong omega. He was a talented fisherman before he met and married Kisame's father as he carefully pushed some of the soft blue hair from his son's face.

Kisame gasps when he feels that pain from between his legs again, trembling as something wet soon drips down between his legs that makes him shudder.

Shachi blinked a moment...then he took a slow breath.

"Ma..."

A grunt escapes the tween when his mother puts his hands on his son's shoulders and gently coaxes him to lie on his back.

Once more he tries to speak up, to tell his mother what he's just discovered when he feels like his abdomen is both burning and being stabbed with a metal rod as he squeezed his legs together to try and ride it out. He rolled over then to curl up on his side while banging his fist against the hard floor in a vain hope that he would be able to somehow beat out this pain with another.

"Hh...hhhwhhaaaat's going on...!?"

Shachi took a slow breath before he picked up his son's blanket to gently dab at the sweat on his face, his eyes half lidded with sympathy as he watched his son trying to handle the pain.

"..You're presenting, Kisame."

A weak noise leaves him before his face is wiped again, trying to process what his mother just said to him. As he tries to breathe, he can now smell the sharp spicy scent of mace that intertwined with the aroma of shark skin that made his eyes water a little.

"You're presenting as an omega."

...

No one really understood why when the final exam was brought up amongst those who graduated it was met with rather negative reactions.

With how the academy teachers would go on they would think it was the highest honor to be able to pass it. They stand there out in the exam area where walls of concrete with a metal mesh acting as a ceiling over them as the mist leaked through into the stadium. The fog here was thicker than any that they have been through that would make it harder to see what was coming or who was coming at them.

The young bloods there stand with an air of anxiety and anticipation that was as heavy as the mist around them, the proctors all standing at any weak spots to ensure no one tried to run and escape as well as to make sure no one interfered from the outside. The tension could easily be cut through as peers stand together with no idea of what they are meant to do.

He could feel something inside him shifting and changing as he stood amongst them; left unnoticed and unbothered as everyone here assumed he was a part of the class. Or perhaps if this was a duel they believed he was going to be easy to defeat and earn an easy passing since he was younger than the majority.

"Future Genin of Kiri," a voice spoke up, loud and commanding as it broke through the fog. A man's voice though the owner of it couldn't be seen, "Today is the day you prove your worthiness to become fully fledged shinobi. From now until sunset while you are in this dome, anyone and everyone is your enemy and to become a shinobi; you must fight, either to the death or to stay alive long enough to see the end."

Voices of the young girls and boys there to take the exam rose up in a panic.

"Wait wait to the death?!"

"That's crazy, no one said anything about dying!"

"This can't be right! It can't be! Please someone say this is some joke!"

"Sensei said this was a final exam not a death match!"

Their voices go over Zabuza's head as he takes a moment to process what was said. What this exam entailed, expected from him and the others. He can just feel all the discontent as the tension spreads and grows.

To the death...this final exam is a fight to the death... He slowly reached over his right shoulder where the hilt of his sword was that his father always made him train with. The broad sword that earned him many looks of curiosity and concern alike since it was almost as large as he was.

A part of him started to think that perhaps he had bitten off more than he could chew doing this. His pride and his desire to prove himself had gotten him into a very, very deadly situation. He started to think perhaps his father had been right not to enroll him in the academy...

That's when he snapped back to himself when he heard some of the others start to cry and shout at the proctors; his blood beginning to pump as he slowly turned his attention to them. How they are all trying to find another way out of this, their voices like iron nails being scraped down the insides of his skull. His head felt like it was pulsing hot blood as the people around him began to rush forwards. It felt like the times he would fully submerge himself in water as a child, with Kisame beside him as they tried to see who could hold their breath longer.

He remembers how he could hardly hear anything, no matter how they would try to yell under water.

Then he was jarred from the depths of his mind when a few suddenly charged past him, pushing his shoulder to get him out of the way as they disappeared into the mist before the scent of copper and something warm splattered across his face. It drips over his lips as he opens his mouth, allowing a drop to drip into his mouth as he blinks slowly.

Blood. He was splattered in blood.

It felt like there was a beast that woke up from the back of his mind as he pulled his sword from his back and slipped into a stance like it was second nature. Excitement began to flood his veins, overriding any doubts in his head about doing this.

He's going to show them. Show all of them! Show he was destined to be a shinobi, show them he can pass this, and shove it in his father's face! To prove he was as strong as any fully fledged shinobi!

Even if he has to slaughter everyone in this stadium. He ran forwards while following the scent of fresh blood in the air and as he braces himself for the violence to come he had only one thought before his mind goes blank:

I can't wait to tell Kisame...!

...

The last few days felt like a fever dream.

In and out of consciousness between bouts of pain rippling through his hips, back and thighs as the changes to his anatomy were taking place. Warm wash cloths are placed upon his forehead in an attempt to get the fever down, there were also moments he could hear his mother talking to him while cleaning him up when he sweated too much.

He was given something to chew on, to alleviate how much his gums hurt as old fangs fell out to let new ones grow in. The air in the room was stale, however with this being a very private matter for him, no one dared to let anyone but Shachi and other omegas in their clan enter for when one presents it was a vulnerable time where they were rendered helpless. Plus, alphas tended to stress out presenting omegas even if they were another parent or a sibling it didn't matter.

When the fever finally breaks and his jaw stops aching he felt like he just woke up.

Kisame groggily lays on his side, blinking his eyes slowly as he takes a moment for his mind to catch up to him. One of the few things he remembers was being in pain, though now it has finally faded to a dull ache as he manages to move on to his side without wanting to rip open his abdomen and tear out the cause of this. The fatigue pulled a noise of frustration from him as he attempted to push himself up.

His arms were shaking, even though he knew he wasn't down that long. He wants to sit up and see what is going on as he tries to ignore the sweat, blood and...slick stains on the sheets, shivering in disgust when he feels it on his thighs. He hated how it felt, how sticky it was as he looked around.

The first thing he notices is there's a lot of pillows around him; scented by his mother as well as a stack of five clean blankets. There were also some robes as well, uncleaned yet as they too smelled of Shachi with the comforting scent of sea salt and oranges. Kisame pulls them to him slowly and breathes the scent in with a soft purr that leaves him.

"Oh you're awake?"

He blinked and looked over groggily as his mother entered the room, dressed in a simple dark green yukata, barefoot as he sat down slowly beside his son's bed. He offered a soft smile as he watched Kisame tighten his hold on the comfort items. It almost felt like he was looking into a mirror before he crossed his legs.

"Good. Now that you got through the worst of your first preheat, you should be okay for a while," Shachi gently ruffles the messy blue hair, "Your scent notes are very unique as well," he chuckled when his action earned another purr from his only son, "We'll need to air out your room before Zabuza comes to visit you."

Kisame snapped his head up at the mention of Zabuza, his memory returning like a sledgehammer to the spine. He dropped the clothes and immediately stood up to look around. 

The scroll, where was the scroll he left for him? He needed to go and tell someone!

"Whoa, whoa, easy," immediately he felt his mother's hands on him, one holding his shoulder as the other took his hand, "You just spent the last four days in bed..."

"Four days...? But...but then...The final exam...!" he grabbed his mother's arm and looked at him like he witnessed the dead coming back to life, 'Ma, the final exam...Zabuza...did he-"

Shachi took a slow breath and closed his eyes and for a moment Kisame felt his stomach sink. Had he gotten seriously injured? Was he hurt?! Dammit why did his presentation have to start before he could bring someone the message?! If Zabuza lost a limb or by the beard of the Sage, ended up with a life threatening injury-

"He's fine. A little shaken but he is fine physically," Shachi pats his shoulder, "He's currently taking some time to recover from it before he's given his genin headband."

The moment of relief is quickly overshadowed by the shock on his face at his mother's words. It takes a minute to sink in as he stared down at the floor for a long moment...then he takes a slow deep breath and swallows thickly. Zabuza, without being enrolled in the academy. had passed the final exam with no idea of what it entailed. How did he do? How did he survive so many fighting to the death?

He slowly is sat back down as he processes all this new information. It's wave after wave of emotions all swirling in his head like a whirlpool.

Relief, shock, anger, disbelief, concern...

It was so much at once he didn't register being moved from his room until he's being led into the bathroom; the large wooden tub was filled with warm water and amongst it he could smell the rose oil that was poured in along with some lemon grass as what remains of his sleepwear-he had removed the bottoms at one point during the haze, due to discomfort-is taken off him. It was a relief honestly due to how gross he felt right now.

"You'll get a chance to see him soon," Shachi calmly uses a bowl to scoop up some water and pour over his son's head, "His father told me he was asking for you when the proctors found him."

He sinks down slowly until the water touches his nose, hoping it muffles the purr he made at hearing that.

Now all he had to decide was what to do when he would see Zabuza; hug him or sock him in the jaw.

...

Everything was moving too fast.

When it felt like he was about to catch up, suddenly he's somewhere else with no idea what's going on. It's been like this for the last week since he took the final exam, been found and brought back home. He doesn't even seem to hear when he was being yelled at or react when his shoulders were grabbed and he was shaken. His body seemed to move on it's own while his mind was still back there.

Hearing the soft gurgle they made as their last breath bubbled from their lips. Feeling the blood all over himself from each swing of his sword that met tender flesh. Smelling the mix of their viscera and blood that would have made a lesser man vomit, yet a boy who hasn't presented yet was able to push through it like it was nothing. What he saw through the fog was flashes of figures who were just targets to be taken down.

He didn't feel human even after bathing, getting clean clothes and having his chosen weapons put away, sitting in the quiet and letting it wash over him.

It wasn't until a new scent wafted under his nose that he realized he wasn't alone now. It was enough to jolt him, especially that sharp, spiced scent that seemed to get through the haze before a hand landed on his shoulder.

"Zabuza?"

The voice pulled him out of the loop of memories as he jumped slightly, completely taken off guard before he looked up slowly.

There is a simple navy blue yukata without sleeves and his hair down instead of pushed back by the headband. There was something different about him, something he couldn't exactly place.

That didn't matter though. What did was that Kisame was standing over him and he just jumped up and wrapped his arms tight around the other with a shaky breath, closing his eyes as he found the source of the sharp scent that had reached him before, and then realized that it was joined by another that he recognized. The scent of shark skin.

"You crazy jerk..." Kisame hissed as he returned the hug, "Crazy, stupid jerk...the hell were you thinking huh? You could have died, you know that?"

He chuckled a little as he released a quiet breath and felt as if he had a weight lifted off his shoulders, "I do now...and I still passed...heh."

"Brat...stupid brat..." Kisame pulled back and offered a weak smile, "If I wasn't so busy presenting, I'd have gone to chase you down and drag you back..."

"I can tell...your scent is different. Like two things...heh. Omega huh?" Zabuza tilted back his head to look at him, a tiredness on his face unbecoming of a boy his age, "i like it. It suits you well, Kisa..."

Kisame blushes a bit, the thirteen year old rubbing the back of his head; the instinct to comfort the other and sooth him strong as he then rests his chin on his head, "...Apparently, Yondaime Mizukage was very very impressed with you and is going to instate you as a genin."

"Good."

It wasn't the reaction he thought the younger would have; after all he knew how much Zabuza had been so frustrated at not being allowed to be enrolled yet and here he was at eleven years old now being rewarded with skipping the academy and becoming a genin.

"...Kisame?"

"Hmm?"

"...Whatever they tell you about what happened at the final exam, please don't listen," He murmured quietly.

He didn't care what anyone else would think of him; his parents, the Jonin, the Mizukage or even the sage himself. The only person in this world whose thoughts mattered was the one right here.

Kisame blinked at him, tilting his head before giving a small smile.

"I won't."

Chapter Text

He was eighteen when he caught one of the Seven Swordsmen's eye.

The last five years he has trained hard and risen to the rank of Chunin, one of his squad members was selected before him to be trained to use Kubikiribocho, the executrioner's sword. It shouldn't have surprised him if he's honest that Juzo was chosen since he was older and more skilled. However now he was the one being selected...and by the wielder of Samehada as well.

Fuguki Suikazan was one of the fiercest of the swordsmen. His blade bent to his whim every time he wielded it, as if the beast was somehow subdued by this man's will alone-and to wield Samehada that was quite the feat in and of itself. Surely, as some people had tried to put it, he would have wanted someone a little older and seasoned; Kisame had only been a Chunin for two years, and while his body had also become more muscular after going through his last growth spurt after presenting it wasn't just physical prowess alone that made it easy to use the beastly blade.

Kisame wanted to be excited; the now eighteen year old has dreamed of this for a long time ever since he witnessed the swordsmen bringing down an army of Konoha-nin when he was a boy. He was so entranced in that moment that all he could think was that one day he might have the chance to be the one fighting with them. This should have been an exciting moment for him especially since his parents wanted to celebrate such an achievement.

Yet all he could think was that he would have to work in the Cypher Division under Fuguki. 

Which also meant he would be away from home, wouldn't see his friends or his sensei for a long time.

He wouldn't see Zabuza.

Ever since his impromptu passing of the final exam, Zabuza Momochi was assigned to train one on one with a jonin who recently lost his squad in battle. It was quickly apparent that he was a prodigy with how fast he learns new techniques and tactics. However despite the difference in how they were being trained out on the field the two always managed to make time for each other once the missions were finished.

Unless it was B rank or higher, the two managed to meet up either to eat, to spar, or even just to sit and talk about things they saw and did. It was a part of his day he always looked forward to, so the idea that he would no longer have that kind of time was crushing.

Once I am given Samehada though that will change...it has to change. Fuck in two years Zabuza and I will be married and then I never have to worry about not seeing him , He stares down at the water at how long the mangroves roots have gotten in five years, his feet dangling over the edge, touching the surface lightly. Fish swim up slowly to inspect the tips of his toes.

"How did I know I'd find you here hmm?"

He raised a brow when he saw the familiar reflection beside his own before he looked up slowly. Despite beating his future husband by twelve centimeters, Zabuza had filled out as well after he was presented as an Alpha. Kisame motions at the empty spot beside him to allow his betrothed to sit down.

"Because we've known each other so long?"

"Oh that's right; you're going to be my husband one day," Zabuza sits down, removing his sandals to let his own feet touch the water beside Kisame's. Ever since the exam, the younger man has started using white bandages as a mask over the lower half of his face. He didn't know why he started doing that, but he also didn't mind Zabuza doing it either. It added to his charm in a way.

"How bold of you to assume I will be your husband."

"Are you not Kisame Hoshigaki?"

"I am."

"Are you not betrothed to me, Momochi Zabuza?"

"I am betrothed to you."

"Then I fail to understand why you think we won't be married one day."

The two of them stare at each other a moment, narrowing their eyes at each other before they both burst into laughter, falling back to lay on the wooden porch together to be greeted by the colorful sky as dusk takes place. For a moment to just laugh and be by his side was enough to make himself feel a bit lighter as he turned his head to look at his masked future husband beside him.

He slowly inched a little closer just so their pinkies would touch.

Zabuza turned his head towards him and unlike many other times his eyes are soft when he looked at him, "...You're gonna do great in the Cypher Division. Just like I'll do great taking on missions. Maybe soon someone will select me as an apprentice and then you and I will be side by side."

"Mm," Kisame closed his eyes a moment, "You sure you can wait two years with minimal interaction between us?"

"Kisa, we can't even hold hands without a chaperone at this rate, a little time apart won't kill us...it's gonna be okay. You know that, yeah?"

Yes. He did know that logically, but he was so used to Zabuza, Mei, Ao-sensei and his parents around him that he can't help the anxiety that grips him. He blinked when he felt Zabuza move to curl his ring and middle fingers with his just a little before pressing their shoulders together.

"...You're gonna be fine."

Fuck I hope so.

...

The Cypher Division was very well known for handling the secret intelligence of Kirigakure.

Every member was a shinobi of great intellect who gathered information, handled interrogation of prisoners who were captured out on the battlefield, and were known to have special codes to keep their own intel from falling into the wrong hands. They kept their identities secret so as not to be known by their fellow shinobi outside of their organization so that if they were to be captured they wouldn't be able to identify them.

It's why the fiercest of the swordsmen was assigned to keep them protected. With Samehada's abilities to absorb the chakra of their enemies and imbuing it into the wielder, it was a no brainer why he was placed as the protector of the Cypher Division.

To say he was intimidated when he arrived was an understatement. He was used to being out in the field, out on missions, working with those who could keep up with him and were of an equal skill set. This though?

This made him feel like the day he was assigned to Ao's squad; nervous, excited, a kid who was ready to prove himself to everyone and show what he could do. The difference was that instead of with two squad mates he'd known as his peers, he was alone with complete strangers. 

Strangers whose lives he would help protect while training under Fuguki. He only packed the essentials for his stay here, especially since he knew they'd be on the move a lot and he'd lose sleep at some points.

"Hoshigaki-san."

He stands at attention now; before the man who was the key to obtaining the blade he's obsessed over since he was a child. He remembered the day his mother carried him through the festival and saw the wrapped sword and remembered how when he reached to sneak a small touch of the weapon it had moved and made a soft purr.

This was his chance. It could be his only chance.

"Yes sir," He kept his eyes down before the hulking presence that was a member of such an elite group of jonin.

Fuguki was a tall man; so much so that he made Kisame feel like he could be picked up with one hand by the large man. He was a fit man, yet still had a gut on him with his marked, sagge cheeks and long bright orange hair. It was a surprise to meet someone of such impressive height-he beats him by fifty-six inches for the love of the sage's sake.

"Hmmm." Fuguki quietly started to walk around him, his dark little eyes looking him over almost critically. It made the young Hoshigaki feel a little self-conscious as he felt like he was being circled by a large great white shark. Circling and circling to try and see an opening to strike. He attempted not to flinch when he stopped in front of him before he leaned over with narrowed eyes.

Sage, he smells like he rolled in a pack of sardines, He is fighting not to wrinkle his nose as he digs his nails into his own hip to try and keep himself in line.

"Hmm. You have some spirit in you, little shark. But whether you have the guts to one day wield Samehada is something you'll have to prove in your time here," Fuguki rumbled as he pulls back and crossed his arms.

He finds himself releasing a breath he never realized he was holding, while trying to keep himself standing at attention. He didn't want to upset the man who would teach him and he wasn't about to ruin it!

"I will prove it, sir. I promise. You will not be disappointed."

Fuguki raised a brow at him, showing his razor sharp teeth as he smiled, "We will see, little shark."

Does he have a nickname for all the people under his command or am I just special? He pushes away his thoughts to keep a clear head. The last thing he needed was to rub his superior the wrong way. Especially with such an important job for them to do. Perhaps the man was just overly friendly or this was a test in and of itself. He knows Ao-sense used to do something similar though the 'nicknames' were mostly insults.

"Come, we need to get you acquainted with the Cypher Division," Fuguki turned his back to him, his green haori fluttering behind him, with Samehada resting on his back.

Immediately Kisame followed, his eyes trained on the sword with a slow smile on his lips. Oh how he wanted to reach out to touch the sword like when he was a child. To brush his fingers over it, get a feel with the blade and hear it make that noise again. To know that the beast could sense him and knew he was there waiting for that day.

For now he would make do with the katana that was sheathed safely on his back.

"You, little shark, will be expected to protect the division as a whole. Be with them when they travel to check points during their intel gathering. You make sure no matter what they are not to fall into the hands of the enemy under any circumstances..." They come upon the heavy doors, and Kisame begins to realize that this place to meet Fuguki wasn't the HQ; for when he opens the doors he sees stars leading into the underground and where he could feel the different chakra signatures of those down there.

He can't help but feel some awe at this; mainly because whatever precautions they used before kept him from sensing them. Said precautions, he realizes were seals placed upon the doors on the other side that sensed Fuguki's chakra and reacted by allowing him inside with Kisame keeping close.

So the empty base I entered was actually a decoy. Impressive, He looked around at the dark walls as they walked down the stairs to the underground.

There were other shinobi already working as they rushed around; deciphering old scrolls, decoding secrets they discovered from other villages, and many many other things that require the high intellect that only this group of people possessed.

For once a sense of hope overruns his anxiety at being the personal student of such a distinguished swordsman as he sees all these bright minds doing their best for the village.

He doesn't notice the way Fuguki's eyes are roaming over him.

...

It's been months since his betrothed went to go and work in the Cypher Division under the watchful eye of Fuguki.

While he was happy for him and looked forward to seeing him succeed, it became apparent to Zabuza just how lonely it was. He's never really been someone who liked to admit when he was unhappy about something. Like how he was unhappy Kisame was going to be gone for long periods of time, how his instructor has gone to patrol the borders as there were rumors of foreign shinobi skulking about, unhappy that he had to stay quiet about what happened at the final exam yet there were so many around him talking about it, unhappy that his Mizukage keeps passing laws the make it harder and harder for those in lower class families or had kekkei genkai to rise in the shinobi ranks…

It may have been only five years now since the war, but that didn't mean things were so easily forgotten.

He certainly hasn't forgotten what the war did to his father, or how it influenced the current state of Kiri.

Soft white flurries flutter down from the sky, the mist thinner than usual with the arrival of winter. Even with his mask on he could see his own breath as he walked forwards to try and at least return to the apartments; he had chosen to go and live independently; his clan wasn't a big one after all, only consisting of himself and his parents. It was an easy decision on his part to move out into an apartment provided by the Yondaime Mizukage.

Maybe a cup of hot tea and cooked noodles will improve his mood somewhat.

He stopped when he heard someone coughing. He slowly looked over and blinked a moment when he saw a small figure crumpled on the cold stone ground of the bridge he was crossing. Long, unkempt hair the color of the abyss of the see, skin that matched the snow so perfectly that if the child hadn't been wearing clothes then Zabuza might not have noticed him. The child was in torn, ragged clothing and it was obvious there was no one around taking care of him.

It...reminds him of a time when his parents struggled. Even with the promise of a better life through marriage to Kisame, that had been a long way off. They scraped by for food, and in the times he couldn't spend with Kisame, he found himself alone for hours until his father returned to train him properly. If not for Kisame being a sparring partner back then he might not be where he is right now…

It's not fair...this kid doesn't deserve this...and it's fucking winter , the sixteen year old takes a slow breath and took a step forwards.

"...Huh. Little kid like you, there's no one to look after you? You'll die a beggar's death," He rumbled softly.

The child looked up slowly at him with big, soft eyes that reminded him of the bark on the mangroves in Kisame's home. They weren't filled with defeat like he expected them to be, but instead had a soft light to them that takes him aback.

Slowly the little one smiled, and his instincts reared up their head; the ones that demand he protect and bring the boy somewhere safe.

"Hey, know what?" He blinked when the boy spoke and looked over with his brows furrowed. What he heard next through sealed his decision.

"Your eyes remind me of mine..."

...

No one said being an apprentice was going to be easy.

With the level of brutality in his training between missions with the Cypher Division, the months blurred. His work seemed to never be over and whenever he slept it was barely enough. His fingers ached down to the bone while his arms felt so heavy he was certain they had been filled with lead. At the same time though he noticed he had become stronger as his muscles were hardening more and his face was a little more chiseled.

His training was showing results even though he wasn't sure what to make of it. Never in his life had he ever been a vain person who focused on his appearance; he was a strong shinobi and that's all that should have mattered. However as he turns nineteen he knows soon Zabuza would be seventeen; meaning they were one year closer to being of age to marry.

"Hoshigaki-san?"

He is drawn from his thoughts by Mira; a very sweet and kind Kunoichi in the cypher division who was always friendly to him despite his features. The rest either dismissed him as being the mindless muscle that protected them and nothing more, yet she was always going out of her way to include him in conversations and try to be kind to him. It was refreshing.

"Yes?" He said calmly, holding his katana on his lap as he had been cleaning it.

She smiles, her long soft auburn hair tied back in a bun, "You look a little down today. Is there something on your mind? Was Suikazan-sama hard on you again?"

He snorted, "When isn't he hard on me?" Honestly at this rate he sees so many mistakes that I'm worried I'll never wield Samehada, "But no that's not what's got me down today."

"Oh? Is there something going on back in your clan?" Miru tilted her head with a genuinely concerned look. She reminds him of one of those curious little angel fish he sees in the reefs taking small peaks at him when he goes to swim in the ocean.

Kisame shrugged a little, "No, not really. Ma would have come to get me himself if there was, no I..." he averted his eyes, "..I'm just thinking about Zabuza."

She tilts her head and then smiles, "Your future husband?"

"Yeah," he cleared his throat as his two scent notes of mace and shark skin slowly fills the space as he scratched the back of his head. He notices how Mira blinked her eyes a moment before she gives a slow, kind smile.

"Ah. Feel a little self-conscious?" She rests a hand on his shoulder, tilting her head at him.

He hated that she was able to read him so easily. Though to be completely fair it was her job to be able to read people; it's how she's been able to pinpoint targets as well as gage information from foreign shinobi. It made her a very valuable asset to this division. Still the fact she could tell what he was thinking made his insecurity come to the surface.

All he could do was nod in response, and he couldn't help but side eye her when she gives him a sympathetic look. Sage above, she reminds him of Mei during his academy days now that he thinks about it.

"It's okay, most omegas tend to be rather nervous when they get closer to their big day," she gently pats his shoulder, "Even ones who don't look like a traditional one after so much sword training."

Ouch. Why not just stab me with a kunai? That would hurt less! He could feel a twitching under his eye at her, wondering if she realized how that sounded.

Miru blinked then blushed, "N-not that you're not a looker, Hoshigaki-san. You're just different is all, a good kind of different. Your future husband is a very lucky man to have a strong and courageous one like you."

His irritation turns to some mirth at her, quickly trying to make sure she didn't offend him, reminding him why he's fond of her as a colleague. She never meant any real harm in her words, she just didn't realize how they could be taken the wrong way until it's too late. It's why he hasn't bitten her head off because try as she may she was not a subtle person despite her talent in reading others.

"You're fine Miru-san," he said softly, "I know that I wouldn't be anyone's first choice if I wasn't betrothed to someone already. Not unless they have a very specific taste for muscular ones."

A playful smile forms on his face when she lightly swats him with her cheeks puffed up like a porcupine fish, "Don't say that! Anyone who gets to know you will see what a treasure you are. Hoshigaki-san! Even your betrothed should consider himself lucky you're going to be married to him! With how you talk about him sometimes though, I think he already knows he's lucky to have someone like you in love with him."

Now it was his turn to blush as he then turned his face away. To hear it said aloud by someone else like that made his mind go blank as if he had been hit with a lightning jutsu. Slowly he rubbed over his ring finger that he hopes will no longer be bare once Zabuza is eighteen.

By then I'll have Samehada. By then I'll be a swordsman of the mist. Then...no matter how far apart we are we'll be connected. He doesn't speak any further. Miru gives his shoulder another gentle pat before she walks away to resume her work but not before smiling at him knowingly.

She wasn't the only one as Fuguki glared silently from the shadows behind the two of them.

…

He really hated how cold the underground could get. Mainly because here no sunlight every could get in and now matter what heating they try to set up, it was always timed where it would warm up but not enough to linger when it paused in between. It was so frustrating as he tried to breathe on his own hands to keep them warm while waiting for someone to come and take over so he could end his shift.

More than anything right now, Kisame just wanted to return to his quarters, turn on the small space heater he managed to sneak in and just sit in front of it while sipping some hot tea. The idea alone had him purring quietly though that did little to block out what anyone was saying behind him.

"Did you hear the news about Biwa-sama?"

Gods he had been so shocked when Juzo turned traitor. He'd always known the older shinobi to be a sharp tongued moron but he never pegged him as a traitor to Kiri. They only knew each other briefly from their days in a squad together but there was some hurt that he had sold himself out like this.

"Didn't he become a nukenin and took Kubikiribocho with him a year ago?"

"Apparently he attacked the village and the Yondaime Mizukage managed to bring him down! The blade has been returned to Kiri and they're going to have Momochi-san wield it!"

He turns his head slightly when he hears that, his eyes slowly widening before his lips twitch as if he was fighting down a smile. How can he not when he knows Zabuza is being recognized and going to become a swordsman? It was almost perfect because once Kisame was deemed worthy then he'd see Zabuza soon. He wanted to see him so badly…

"Wait really? Momochi-san? But he just turned seventeen didn't he? He's kind of young."

"I think he'd be perfect to wield Kubikikiribocho. After all, don't you guys know how he passed the final exam all those years ago?"

"Well he's the only one alive to talk about it though he never does."

His smile disappeared at those words as he turned around to look at the group of shinobi. Mainly because he was confused by that last remark. He never really asked much about what happened with the Final Exam Zabuza took. Whenever others even hinted at it he would notice how the mood would change around him. Especially from those in the low born classes they would pass by.

At his request, Kisame didn't usually listen to them, but this...

"Hoshigaki-san, I'm here to relieve you for the night."

He jumps a bit, so absorbed by the conversation that he forgot he was waiting for the change of the guard. He turned to the chunin who arrived and gave him a nod before he walks past him, trying to shake off the unease that suddenly bubbles up from the pit of his stomach. It wasn't like it mattered to him exactly what happened five years ago; all he cared about back then was that Zabuza was alive and was allowed to become a shinobi, despite being younger than the rest who were participating.

..It was strange though that he hadn't heard about any other new squads after Zabuza passed. As he began to head for his quarters he started to think that it was rather odd.

Before he could think about it more his stomach gave a loud growl from his stomach; reminding him he needed to go to his quarters, eat dinner and rest for the night.

He needed to rest if he wanted to train harder tomorrow.

...

Things had been rather uneventful in the last month since a new swordsman was integrated into their group.

Kirigakure seemed to feel more at ease now that all the swords were now back in its fold. 

People are starting to leave their houses longer as celebrations take place about it. The fact such a talented, formidable young man was now the one wielding it was more than enough to push them to be merry as for them that meant he would be a swordsman for a long long time.

Even with the amount of fighting going on, people felt like they could breathe again that the village was going to be safer now.

Certainly their Mizukage wouldn't choose a new swordsman if he didn't think he would be up the the task.

Zabuza was indeed a strong jonin. He was known for his sharp mind and ability to command a room wherever he went, especially as his nickname began going around-the Demon of the Mist. Such ferocity and bloodlust should have been used in the best interest of his homeland. It should be used to keep those under him in line as well as serve as a reminder to his fellow swordsmen that to be a shinobi of Kiri required so much sacrifice. That no matter the class one was born into, they all lived for the prosperity and strength of the village.

That's what he should be doing.

Instead after a month of some tranquility, no one could have foreseen history repeating itself.

The word spread fast from where the attack took place on a particularly snowy day in Kiri. The snow fell heavily on to the village, as it became stained in red from the brutality of the attempted coup. Despite being taken off guard, they failed in their attempt on the Mizukage's life thanks to his status as a Jinchuriki. In turn what remained of the traitors turned and fled before they were killed off as well.

The Cypher division was working overtime trying to process and deliver the information to the hunter-nin of Kiri so that they could begin the search for them, listing down who was killed, captured or escaped that were in the coup and then they were relaying medical teams for the loyal shinobi who protected their Mizukage as well. It was a madhouse.

In the chaos no one noticed how Fuguki slipped out and was making his way calmly to where his apprentice resided.

Though in his personal opinion, Kisame would make for a better use in other endeavors than swordsmanship. Not that he wasn't talented, in fact Fuguki was more than impressed by the young man's abilities...for an omega that is. Ever since Karatachi took over, more omegas were joining the academy and being trained as shinobi rather than taking a more traditional role. Just because their Mizukage was one it seemed to open the floodgates for others to do the same.

It was a liability in his eyes for omegas to go out into the field. They were the ones who carried the future of Kirigakure and they were throwing their lives away like it was nothing! Even with powerful heat suppressants and scent blockers the risk of them being taken prisoner where they are provided with neither was too high for his liking.

Though as he gets closer to his protege's quarters, holding a meal of packaged sushi he purchased, Fuguki can't help the slight glee that rushes through him. Because since Zabuza was now labelled a traitor to the Bloody Mist Village it also meant the arranged marriage that little upstart had to Kisame would be broken. Not just by the families but by law as well considering Zabuza had a target on his back now.

It couldn't have worked out more perfectly in his opinion; he originally was thinking he may have to resort to some dirty tricks or use some connections to break that up. The fates smiled on Fuguki as he opened the door.

"Oi, little shark. You look like you could use something to eat," he rumbled as he puts down the food he bought for his apprentice.

He crooked an eyebrow when he saw the state the younger man was in; he sat at the corner of his futon closest to the wall and had his knees pulled in. His head band sits on the table and he was still in his sleeping yukata. His face was hidden but his body had a slight tremble to it as if he was trying to keep himself contained.

"..Ah. I see you have heard the news," He was barely stopping the way his lips were twitching as he tried to fight down a smirk. Even if the younger one wasn't looking up he didn't want him to see how much joy he took in this news.

On Fuguki's back he could feel Samehada shifting; the sword clicks softly, trills as if responding to Kisame.

It's something he's taken notice of when training the young man; how Samehada was more animated and vocal whenever around him. It made Fuguki uneasy when he thought about how this blade, this fickle, difficult blade became so animated and dare he say even affectionate towards his student when it never showed such a response to anyone else before.

He sighed after a moment of silence, "I will leave you the day to gather your wits...then tomorrow you shall come and i will debrief you on a very important mission for the Cypher Division..." he turned his back to him now, "...do not let your feelings cloud the truth about Momochi. You are better off not being tethered to scum like that."

He closed the door behind himself-allowing a grin to form on his face as he thought of his next move.

…

It felt like he was going insane.

Maybe he did and was in denial about it or he genuinely didn't want to think about the emotional turmoil swimming around inside him. The information, his mother sending him the official documents cancelling the arranged marriage with an apology from the Momochi Clan, the way people immediately were letting their tongues wag about the treacherous demon of the mist.

It was all just building up in his skull, with nothing to help it leak out. There were times he was tempted to claw at his own head to try and break it open so that all these emotions would pour out. To let all the questions that are left unanswered leave his mind, make room for him to focus on what was ahead. He didn't need them, not when he thinks of the mission that's ahead of him.

There's been a data leak and now there were foreign shinobi wishing to capture the cypher division members for the codes that would allow them into their network.

It wasn't that he didn't understand what was expected of him. He was a shinobi of Kiri-the Bloody Mist Village-and he was expected to put said safety of the village over the lives of a handful of shinobi who know a code that could unlock the secrets that reside here. Secrets that had to be kept tucked away and never see the light of day. The fact that Fuguki briefed him in private out of earshot of the rest meant he could not afford to be merciful.

Why did she have to be a part of the group with the code? He watched as Miru was packing supplies for their mission to ensure that their safeguards were up to date; seals that kept civilians and enemies from attempting to break past Kiri's borders.

He wouldn't exactly call her a friend; he didn't have many of those left who hadn't turned traitor or were busy with their own lives. No to him Mira was a comrade who he had very fun talks with and who made him some semblance of normalcy in the hell storm that was swirling inside him. Even when her fellows warned her to leave him be, she never paid them any mind.

It was hard to understand why such a bright young woman would go out of her way to be kind. Especially since his job is to make sure they don't fall into the hands of the Konoha squad that was hunting for them.

Death is better than capture , he reminded himself as he sits and watches them gathered around to eat their rations. They had stopped to break for dinner for the night, the moon full and high in the sky. A rare clear, spring night as he listens for anything unusual while at the same time, trying to tune out the group's conversation.

...Why did Zabuza betray the village? His brows furrowed as the thoughts somehow crept their way into his head, What happened to push him to try to kill the Mizukage? Nothing adds up. Nothing makes sense. He was always loyal wasn't he?

That was the big question that plagued him the most. Had he missed something in their times together? Could he have stopped him? Maybe he could have talked to him and get him to tell him about whatever it was. He just wanted to understand, but the only person who could answer him was being hunted and probably going to end up dead!

He snapped his head up before he stands up; he looked back at the kunai with the string attached to it, "We need to leave," He hissed at them, eyes scanning the area to make sure they weren't being snuck up on before the Cypher Division turns to follow after him.

There are six of them he needed to keep out of Konoha’s hands; to ensure that they aren't captured he needed to make sure none of them lagged behind and stayed within his sights. If he keeps them in his sights, keep them moving then maybe he won't have to kill them.

No. He pushes down that hope, especially when one of them falls when a kunai slices his achilles' tendon, I am the only one who can do this. I have to for the village. Even if I hate this...sage do I hate this...

"Hoshigaki-san?"

...I'm so sorry...

…

Rip!

He jumped from where he was sitting; having taken refuge in an Inn that lies between Kumo and Iwa-far far away from the Hunter nin for now as he and his men lay low and try to keep their presence from being detected. His headband was hidden in the satchel strapped to his hip as he is on a futon beside his most trusted subordinate.

In the demon of the mist's hands was an old photo that now had a tear in it from tugging it out too rough when he was startled by the sound of some gulls flying overhead. His eyes zero in on the tear and he cursed quietly under his mask.

A part of him admonishes himself for bringing it with him in the first place; he knew there was a high chance of failure for their attempt on the Mizukage's life and wanted to make sure all their bases were covered. Maybe it was because there's a small, selfish part of him that just wanted a good memory to look back on as he tries to navigate the uncertainty of the future. To remember that his life wasn't always like this and the fact that it ripped made him more upset than he wanted to say.

Zabuza slowly traces the rip in the photo that splits over Kisame's face; it's of the two of them before the other had gone off to train under Fuguki. He remembered how Kisame could barely hold in his laughter from a hoke he told him, and had to sit down in front of him as Zabuza took his hand to keep his own laughter in check. It made for a wonderful picture.

..He'll be better off without me...

...

It was well known that Fuguki Suikazan was a conniving individual. From the moment he was able to walk and read he always seemed to be five steps ahead of everyone else. His ability to read people and retain information combined with his massive size and skill it was a no brainer how he ended up having such a fearsome blade as his weapon of choice.

This also made it easier to manipulate everyone from his position; the unlimited access to Kirigakure's secrets, how he managed to play those beneath him like a well tuned shamisen. It's gotten him all he desired so far, and any conscience he may have had in the past has long been destroyed.

Fuguki is sitting in the quiet base of the Cypher Division; completely empty of anyone else there as he has a bottle of sake sitting on the desk where the senior members tended to reside.

Though after tonight he was sure that there would only be one person returning to the base. He has his fingers clasped as he tries to fight down the twitching at the corners of his mouth. He's been waiting a very long time for this moment; the lad was already torn up about the demon of the mist's betrayal, he can only imagine the state he would be in when he returns from his mission. It was hard not to let his glee bubble up.

Samehada is resting against the wall behind him as it growls slowly; as if it can taste the sadistic joy he took in tormenting his apprentice and judging by how low the growl was, it was not pleased.

The doors open then and he immediately puts on a serious expression even if he could feel a thrill at the sight of him in that state.

The young Hoshigaki looked like he had death weighing down on his shoulders with dried blood on his jacket and his shinobi uniform. His headband was taken off and he held it down by his side as he walked up to the desk. Those eyes were almost clouded like those of a dead fish as he walked to the chair on the other side of the desk, staring at the glasses before him. He felt a sense of unease; the twenty year old never made a habit of drinking even to celebrate a mission well done.

For a moment Fuguki looked around at the area with his eyes half lidded-an attempt to hide how pleased he was that things went according to plan-before setting his sights on Kisame who doesn't raise his head to meet his eyes.

"..Was your mission successful?"

Kisame didn't even flinch when he was spoken to, "...Yes sir. Konoha didn't get their hands on the codes."

"Excellent."

His eyes-so much like the animal the Hoshigaki clan practically worshipped-go to the sound of sake being poured into a saucer before it's nudged to him. He stares at it; he's never had alcohol before. Never saw a need to really indulge in it either as it seemed more troublesome than it was worth. After tonight though he figures one taste wouldn't hurt.

He accepts the offering from his mentor without a second thought. He hasn't tried anything in all their time together despite the many chances he could have had. Even if at first he unsettled Kisame, he never once tried to do anything outside of training that would warrant any ill will.

The sake burns his throat when he throws it back, coughing as he feels the burn yet he makes sure to take a slow deep breath so not to cough too hard. The burn travels to his gills as well as he lightly hits his chest. There is an aftertaste as well that he can't quite place, however he chalked it up to him not being much of a drinker.

"Here's to the future of Kirigakure. May our village continue to flourish and progress," Fuguki chuckled, having not sipped his own saucer, instead lightly playing with it. He then places it down and then clasps his hands with his eyes on his subordinate, "In more ways than one."

"What's that supposed-" Kisame froze when his mouth seemed to suddenly become relaxed. So much so that his words become slightly slurred before he can't make another word.

The saucer in his hand slips free and breaks on the floor as the rest of his body begins to follow, one by one the ability to move leaves his body until he's slumped back in his chair. His eyes looked around trying to make sense of what's happening. When he hears the desk creak his eyes go to Fuguki who is coming around the desk to him. At first he feels relief; his superior was here therefore he could help pick him up and get him out to a medical nin.

That line of thought died when instead of hurried movements the large wielder of Samehada took a leisurely pace getting to the incapacitated young man.

"I must say little shark, despite everything you're still a very trusting person," Fuguki hummed as he gently slipped his hands under Kisame's arms to lift him up, "You followed orders to perfection, even if it might kill you inside. I must say for a member of the Hoshigaki Clan. you still have a heart under that rough skin."

He grunts as he is then placed down on his front, his cheek pressed into the cool wood and now his eyes on the sake bottle that was now beside him.

"It's...cute how even after being betrayed by that low born, then to come back with your fellow shinobi's blood on your hands, you still trusted me enough to share a drink," Fuguki rumbled as he slid his large hands under his body and started pulling on his pants, "...and look where it's got you."

He started to breathe heavily when he felt his trousers being pulled down off his legs, followed by his fundoshi; calloused fingers firmly holding his hips before gently tugging them back. His legs are limp as he lays there unable to kick or push him back while his mind was trying to process what was going on.

There was something in the drink...he knows I never drank sake before...shit...shit shit shit...

"Such naivety is a curse, little shark. There is no room for it here in Kiri," Fuguki kneaded his fingers into the soft skin before he moved them up further to give Kisame's ass a firm grope, "Consider this a lesson in who you decide to put your trust in; you certainly need it."

Kisame couldn't see him, but he could feel him as he slowly presses down on his back; feel the weight as it made it a little harder to breathe, feeling the heat of his breath against the back of his throat, trying to ignore how this...this poor excuse of an alpha smelled rancid; like sardines left in a can for too long. He would gag if he was able to move his mouth open. He could only breathe and try to focus on the bottle of sake in front of him even as a curtain of that orange hair hangs over him.

"I will admit though I've always found your features superior to a typical omega's...if all of them were as hardened and strong as you, maybe our squads would stand a chance out on missions. And who did your family decide to promise you to?" one of his hands slips down between his buttocks, slowly pressing his thumb at the omega's hole, ignoring his dry cunt and soft cocks further down. He breathed sharply and closed his eyes as Fuguki growled.

"A lowborn who's family clan is all but non-existent. Only himself and his parents who just so happened to be good friends with your mother, and through him had a ticket into a new life...I say it was a blessing that the trash left when he did. He wouldn't know what to do with an omega of your standing..." Fuguki made a soft sucking sound as he pulled his hand back before Kisame heard him spitting into his hand

Through the panic and fear, some rage bubbles up.

How he wishes he could respond. To bite down, to scream, to claw at this son of a bitch! He made a weak sound, before something wet rubbed over the rim, gently pressing in.

"Now that such an arrangement has been brought to an end, I think it's only fitting that your family give more eligible and respectful alphas a chance at you...i was thinking once I'm done here, I go and speak with them."

Like Ma would even let you through the damned door, Still he closes his eyes at the uncomfortable, almost painful stretch even with spit being used as some kind of lubricant.

It made his stomach churn; Kisame never imagined his first experience with sex would be rape. Made helpless, unable to fight back, unable to speak as he felt another finger join the first, his body pinned under the larger man's. He at least can still close his eyes as they begin to blur with tears.

It hurts. Even as the fingers move inside him, pressing at his prostate and begin to lightly drag along the smooth walls of his anus, the little pleasure that goes through him from it doesn't do anything for him. He started to hyperventilate when the fingers pulled out only to be replaced with something thicker resting between his buttocks. He hears Fuguki purr deeply in his ear as he puts his hands under him to pull him closer.

Get off me, get off me, get off me, GET OFF ME GET OFF ME GETOFFMEGETOFFMEGETOFFME-!

The high pitched sound trying to rip out from his throat is muffled by his closed mouth as the behemoth presses right into him.

"Fuck...you have such a tight ass," Fuguki groaned as he slowly pulled back his hips and thrust back in, "I've been imagining this for so long...having you pinned down in your place under me, at my mercy with no way out. No one is coming to help you since you just killed everyone who would be here tonight...it would be so easy to fuck your cunt as well...ah but it would be so much better if I saved it for a more special occasion...an omega's virgin pussy is a delectable treat..."

Bile rises in his throat, into his mouth when he hears that. His eyes were bloodshot as hot tears coursed down onto the desk and made a small puddle by his cheek. He hates that the bastard was right; no one else was coming. He was no longer betrothed to anyone. He had let his guard down around someone he thought was his trusted mentor.

Lies...so many lies...what's even real at this point? I believed Zabuza was loyal to Kiri...I thought I could protect my teammates...I...I thought Fuguki..., he closes his eyes tight as fangs lightly drag down over his gills, whimpering softly at what the fangs could imply.

The last thing he wants is to be marked by this man, he didn't want to be tied to him in any way, shape or form.

"Cry all you want, little shark...you have no one to turn to now...no one will believe you, it will be your word against mine," Fuguki smirked, "Even if they did, I have many many ways of making your life and the lives of your family worse than anything you've ever experienced..."

Dammit how long was he going to be paralyzed for? How long would Fuguki go on? Each thrust was agony as he felt like he was being ripped in two from the rough treatment. He wanted it to be over already, wanted the pain to stop already as a hot mouth closed over his cheek to drag teeth over his gills. He managed to gag slightly from the unpleasant sensation especially as his tears were lapped up like water from a fountain.

His breathing hitches when he feels the knot begin to press past the rim. There's a tearing sensation as he tries once more to speak but his tongue refuses to move.

"Ah...aaaaaah...aaaah...!"

"You feel that?" Fuguki growled in his ear, the pace continuing to pick up, "Do you feel that, little shark? Do you feel how deep I am?"

Stop it.

"It seems you're poor ass can't take me fully," The swordsman rumbled, "I can feel you breaking, it's going to bleed isn't it? A shame..."

Stop it...!

"I wanted to fill you with my cum...!" he punctuated it with a had thrust, , "Oh...fuck...!"

Kisame choked as he felt Fuguki pull himself out; something warm dripped out to slowly stain the crease of his inner thigh as he just...lies there. He could feel his body giving little twitches. They tingle like how it feels when someone sits too long and their leg goes numb before standing up.

Then it's followed by something spurting on his ass; thick and warm as Fuguki made a loud groan behind him. He didn't need to look to know what was happening as he lay there still trying to regain movement. It feels like forever when he hears the larger man behind him; the shift off fabric before hands begin pulling his fundoshi back up. A choked sound leaves Kisame as his pants soon follow.

Before he can process what's happening he is slowly rolled on to his back-he choked as he feels the pain up his back from the rough treatment, Fuguki leaning down over him slowly before caressing his cheeks gently. A slap in the face would have been better in his opinion. He released a sharp sob as a kiss was pressed to his mouth as his fingers caressed down his neck before he pulled back.

"Once you can fully move, return to your quarters. You get a few days rest before the next assignment. New members of the Cypher Division will be arriving and I expect you to help me debrief them..." almost mockingly he pushes back his dark blue hair as gently as possible before he turns to walk away.

It's another forty five minutes before he can actually move again; it hurts to push himself up from the desk as he stares at the drool, snot and tears that stained the wood where his head was.

He turned away, and started his limp back to his quarters, to get out of these clothes, and get into the shower as fast as he could.

Logically he knows it would do little to help...but he could pretend.

What's one more lie to himself after tonight?

...

A month passed like sap dripping down a tree as he continued his training.

He makes sure it always takes place where there are witnesses present though he did little to connect with the recruits. Between the moment he wakes up to the time he sleeps he is alert, anxious. His scent around these people didn't help as they would try to approach to make sure he was okay.

When he was asked to do grunt work for not improving his sword skills, he dived into it without much protest. He makes sure to note things he noticed, to ensure he kept notes of any information, anything that didn't match up as he processes the data into their filing system. It was a good distraction from his thoughts; to crunch it all down so it would be accessible only for the new members of the Cypher Division.

There's so much he didn't know happened in Kiri. He tried not to think about it; he's the guard of these shinobi and kunoichi whose minds benefited Kiri more than their physical prowess and sometimes did their drudge work.

However, on a rather quiet night there were just two others in the room-Fuguki had gone on a mission with the others to gather more intel-when he came upon files dated back seven years ago.

Quietly he opens them to begin the process, raising his hands as he starts to read. It was a very simple but effective jutsu to hide sensitive information, making it so only those who reside in this HQ would be able to access and read it. To anyone else it was just jumbled words of gibberish.

His hand stops when he comes upon an all too familiar name.

Final Exam Review, XX-XX-XXXX.

Proctors; Four

Students: Twenty-Four

Failures: Twenty-Four

Pass: One, Zabuza Momochi

He stared at it for the longest time. He remembered that year, the one when Zabuza-they were kids back then, when things were simpler-had snuck into the exam. He remembered he presented at the time, and couldn't go after him. He remembered how once he was cleared to go and visit him that Zabuza asked him not to listen to what anyone else said about it-

The paper crinkled in his tightened grip, feeling like he just got dunked into ice water as he put it all together.

Even after all that time he kept that promise. When people began talking he would tune them out or just leave them to their own conversations when anything about the final exam.

Kisame slowly leaned back in his seat as he put the paper back down to lean back. The worst part is he wasn't even shocked to know Zabuza was the only one who passed by killing the entire class of that year.

Zabuza was the Demon of the Mist after all and to earn such a name means he had to have done something truly heinous.

Yet at this point, Kisame was so used to betrayal that it doesn't even hurt as much as it probably should have.

Chapter Text

"I heard that Nami no Kuni is very lovely this time of year."

"Oh yeah?"

"Indeed. I also heard they're trying to build a bridge from their little village to the mainland."

"Hmm. That's good for them. I hear they struggle a lot, it would be good if they were able to be connected."

"Though...rumors have been flying amongst the mercenaries that Gato wants the bridge builder dead to stop the bridge."

"...You don't say?"

"Indeed. He plans to hire a nukenin named Zabuza but apparently he wasn't pleased with his failure. However he is planning to ambush him and his subordinate at the bridge once he's weakened the shinobi guarding the bridge builder..."

"You know, Itachi, perhaps we can take a little detour don't you think?"

The young man pauses in eating from his stick of dango; his dark locks of hair hanging over his face under the straw hat he wore, and clad in the uniform cloak that matches his taller partner's. He looked amused at the suggestion since there was still quite a bit he didn't know about him other than that he was the wielder of one of the legendary swords of the mist. He also was an omega since he didn't bother to hide his scent from him.

Itachi hummed and chewed in thought a moment before nodding his head, "Hmm. A detour wouldn't be too bad. We have already completed the mission and perhaps we can find some new recruits for the Akatsuki no?"

Under the hat, as his partner tugged down the collar of his jacket he can see a grin full of sharp teeth that could rip a chunk of flesh from anyone here.

"Agreed."

...

The water was so still it felt like he was standing on a mirror.

Even when a step is taken no ripples were made almost like the water remains completely undisturbed. However, what startled him more was when he looked down at his reflection, he was staring at his seven year old self; no mask, messily kempt hair, in a simple dark blue yukata. He almost crouched down to touch the reflection only to freeze when he sees a second one come up beside him.

The second one was a face he could never forget.

"What are you doing all the way out here, Zabuza?"

Ah yes now he remembers why. Practicing chakra control on a rare day when the waters were completely still; he remembered wanting to perfect the method before he would see his best friend later but alas it seemed he had the same idea. Kisame was smiling at him-he was taller than him, yet he didn't mind-and looking completely at ease with his crazy short hair and his skin a pale blue.

"I'm training, what's it look like to you?"

"Ooooh! Did ya learn a new jutsu from your Da? You have reeeeally good chakra control!"

He catches himself blushing at Kisame's praise-any small bit of it from him always made him feel happier than anything his father could say to him-turning his face away to clear his throat, "It's chakra control. Now I can walk on water like it's glass," He smiles now as he extends his hand to Kisame, "Why don't we head towards the middle and see if we can see any large fish!"

All he does is give a blink...and suddenly the entire space is red.

The sky, the water, all illuminated by such a ominous shade of crimson. He looked down slowly at his hands and then at his reflection; he's eleven now and he's holding the broadsword-his father's broadsword-his hands gripping the handle like a vice before he looked up slowly...and saw the blade embedded in Kisame's stomach.

Wait...no...that never happened...

"Zabuza...?" Kisame looked at him as his chin had dark blood dripping down it to hit the surface of the water, "Why did you kill them all?"

I had to...I had to kill them! I am a strong swordsmen, I had something to prove to that worthless village! You..you should understand that Kisa!

"You just had to survive...you didn't need to kill that whole class..."

He finds himself frozen in place as Kisame walked forwards, impaling himself further on the blade.

"Would you kill me too to prove a point?"

Kisame leans over him now a shadow casting over his face as his eyes stare emptily at him, the blood beginning to gush past his bottom lip. His body felt heavy on the sword as he feels his legs get shaky.

"Would you kill me to show your worth to them?"

Stop...!

"Or did you do it because it made you feel alive?"

"STOP IT!"

Cold air greets him as he throws the blanket clean off himself, his eyes wide and the bandages that act like a mask for his face neatly rolled up and set on the floor beside his futon.

There's sweat dripping down the sides of his face as Kubikikiribocho leans against the wall safely behind him. It was still dark yet he could hear the birds of morning outside the hideout as he slowly took in his surroundings. This was his room, and he could see his subordinates were around him-the demon brothers in hammocks one on top of the other, Haku asleep on a futon beside him, and a few others either asleep adjacent to him or gone to keep watch in case hunter nin of Kiri were lurking.

Zabuza stared at his ragtag band of criminal misfits for a moment longer before he slowly lies back down, his mind refusing to quiet.

For the last nine years, that dream has been the one he remembers most since leaving Kirigakure and becoming a nukenin. Always starting as a memory of his childhood that then shifted to the point in his life where it all started to go downhill. Somehow though in this nightmare he always ends up stabbing the one person that he never wanted to hurt.

Such feelings were so stupid to have even after all this time. It's been almost a decade since he left that village to its own devices.

It's not like anyone would be worried about him now, he broke the law and he tried to kill that short little tyrant pulling the strings. His home had turned into a place he barely recognized now; he used to think that the laws that kept his family in a lowborn place were meant to protect them and keep the targets off their backs. That the main reason he and Kisame had been arranged to marry was just because their mothers were friends with each other.

What a naive brat he used to be.

He turned to lay on his side and stare at the wall, his thoughts going back to Kisame since he's the only one awake and now his mind refuses to let him rest. He slowly slipped his hand under his pillow to gently tug out the photo he managed to grab before leaving Kiri; having taped the tear so it would be whole again. For nine years he's kept it, nine years he brings it out when everyone is asleep to look back at a time when he was happy.

..I wonder how long the Hoshigaki Clan waited after I left to find a new betrothed for him, He puts the photo away again while at the same time tucking that thought to the back of his mind.

Tomorrow was a meeting with that snake known as Gato, and the sage knows he didn't need to be distracted.

…

His master was quieter than usual today.

While the rest of their group has gone out to hunt down bounties under the radar of Kiri, it was just the two of them in the hideout; waiting for their potential new client to arrive since none of them wishes to risk an ambush. However since this was a very well respect businessman in other nations he's sure that Gato was also wary. He can't risk two nukenin being seen entering his territory of business.

Haku has only ever seen Zabuza like this whenever he was thinking of the past. He knew his master had given up a lot to try to form a coup even if it ended up failing, he never bothered to look back. It was both sad and admirable to the young teen as he stood beside him dutifully, hair tied back and standing by the side of the one person he was useful to. Even if they had to align themselves with someone as ruthless and cutthroat as the head of the Gato Company, it was all to get another chance at fulfilling Zabuza's dream.

Yet, no matter what titles or deadly prowess his master has, he knew that Zabuza was still human under the mask he wears. It also didn't help that the alpha's scent of shark meat and blood was giving away the mood he's in like a dark cloud that hangs over their heads. They normally were used to the mix of their combined scents but when their leader broods, everyone knew.

"Feeling homesick, Zabuza-sama?" Haku asked gently, unmoving as he clasped his hands behind his back.

A grunt answered him before the older man side eyed him with those pupils like dark iron, "Hard to be when I no longer have one to return to Haku."

He smiles at the response, "If not that, then are you missing someone?"

It's not like it was a big secret; everyone who followed knew of their leader's arranged marriage before their exile. He's never met the lucky omega, but Haku can remember hearing about him from the civilians they would pass by when they still lived in Kiri. He remembers how his master would perk up when he heard the name, how his mood would for a moment grow lighter. His scent even gave away the joy he felt when he thought he'd get to see him.

Zabuza rolled his eyes and turned his face away to look at his sword-holding Kubikikiribocho by the handle and lightly tapping the tips of his fingers against the handle, "You're too intuitive for your own good, Haku. It's annoying at times."

"Is it bad that I don't like when I see you sad, Zabuza-sama? Perhaps we could send some of your subordinates out to see how Hoshigaki-sama is doing back in Kiri. It could bring some peace of mind."

"That is a suicide mission," he tilted back his head and closed his eyes, "I cannot ask my men to do something that I'm not willing to do myself. Besides, it would just cause trouble and have the Hunter-nin back on us all over again."

"Hmm. I understand, Zabuza-sama. I will not ask about it again," Haku bowed his head, though he can't help but smile. It was almost sweet to know his master still thinks so highly of Hoshigaki-sama. He wishes there was a way for him to find out how he was doing so he could tell his master about how he's going. He thinks it would put him at ease a bit and maybe even ease the guilt that he carries inside him.

Zabuza raised his head and narrowed his eyes, "Gato's here."

"I hear him," Haku said quietly before he stepped back to hide.

After all Gato may be rich but he blew money on thugs and he was not shinobi; it's best to have an ace in the hole waiting in case this meeting went south.

It was only natural that when a shark meets a bear that both are on high alert.

...

This was a strange looking restaurant; the mist from outside leaks in through the door despite there being no cracks or openings for it to seep through. It was thick enough that he needed a minute to blink to make sure he was actually inside. He was sitting at the wooden bar, holding chopsticks and when he looked down at the small glass barrier that showed the fresh fish on ice he saw his fifteen year old self looking back…

"You should try the salmon. Mei-san says it's always cut fresh here..."

He looked up to see Kisame there as well; can smell the comforting notes of shark skin and mace even if it's been such a long long time since he was ever that close to breathe it in. He always found it comforting even if it wasn't exactly a pleasant scent for some people. He liked it because it suited Kisame perfectly in his honest opinion.

"So I've heard. It all looks pretty good, I'm surprised your Ma allowed you out on a date alone with me," He blinked when a bowl was set down in front of him.

"Well you haven't presented yet, so he thinks you're safe to be around until then. He had to fight Dad to convince him to leave it be," Kisame perked right up, his sharp fangs glistening softly despite the mist around them both.

Zabuza can't help but think he looked very cute even if he was older than him. He turned back to his bowl as he picked up the chopsticks and looked down to pick up his meal-

He went stiff at what greeted him.

The bowl had a beating, living human heart in it, with blood drenching over the blue bowl with white waves painted along it. His eyes widened as he held his chopsticks hovering over it before he realized there's blood everywhere now. He turned to Kisame, opening his mouth to tell him something was wrong-

"-though my heart is the freshest thing to be torn out here," Kisame turns to face him now; a gaping hole in his chest and blood dribbling down his stomach and blood tears dripping down his cheeks. He's smiling through as he gently nudged the bowl closer to him, Zabuza's hand shaking as the smell of blood and bodily fluids that made him gag...and when he looks back over at Kisame he's suddenly looking at his eleven year old self; the child picking up a knife and stabbing into the heart in his bowl.

"You're a fucking coward. "

Zabuza wakes with such a start he had to take a moment to make sure he was actually awake.

He takes in the trees around him, eyes scanning around as he swallows thickly and tries to gather his wits. Even with such a heavy fog this morning he was able to make out that he was in the forest. Meizu had already sent back a report to him that the target of Gato's hit list had been spotted after escaping with his brother Gozu back to the hideout.

All that he had to do now was wait for them.

That also meant he was alone with his thoughts as he crossed his legs and watched the fog become thinner as the sun was rising. This Tazuna from what he's been told was a stubborn old man who just wanted a way to connect his village to the mainland. Even if he only got involved because Gato offered them cover from the Hunter-nin, even he could see how that would be detrimental to the corrupt conglomerate's operations.

He took a slow deep breath as he cracked his neck before he slowly stood. There's a reason he stationed himself here of all places; it was a path used by those trying to keep a low profile if they wanted to get to Nami no Kuni.

Sage, I really need to try to get a good night's sleep. Being exhausted won't help me with my work...these dreams are fucking asinine, he hissed as he pinched the bridge of his nose.

This was no place to allow his emotions to get the better of him. Those were something he pushed down into the pit of his stomach where they sometimes slipped out and bubbled back up into his head. He had his group to think about, to keep alive so that one day they would be able to break Kirigakure free from the pain and corruption that ran rampant under the current Yondaime Mizukage.

Yet even knowing that, his mind can't help but wander to what could have been if he managed to try to convince the love of his life to join him.

…

It felt like watching two beasts instead of two shinobi battle from where he stood.

The mask fit his face perfectly along with the uniform that was carefully tailored to his size and measurements after snatching it off the Hunter-nin he killed off. With jobs like this it was a surprise that there wasn't a blood bath.

Haku at this point was used to the sight of it. It's blood that painted his face the night he used his kekkei genkai to kill his father. It's blood that stained his hands the night he killed off the shinobi in charge of guarding the Mizukage-the one who made it so hard for those like him to live peacefully in Kirigakure. It's always blood that he sees in his dreams ever since the day they defected from their village and lived a life of killing anyone who they were paid to as well as avoiding detection from those out for their lives.

He watches silently as Zabuza is, for once, having a hard time against the legendary jonin known as Kakashi Hatake.

What a surprise that one of Konoha's strongest shinobi was the one guarding and escorting the bridge builder. With how destitute Nami no Kuni was there was no way he'd be able to hire such a skilled man.

The needles sit idly in his hands as he follows silently. It was a delicate skill to know where to strike, a necessary one if he wanted to make it look authentic enough to get away.

It wasn't just how the Konoha-nin continued to make it difficult that had Haku intrigued; it was that Zabuza seemed to be slipping up a bit, as if he wasn't completely locked in to the fight or he was taken by such surprise he was thrown off. Either way as he watched the dragon made entirely of water send Zabuza through the forests, he followed his master while trying to remain unseen.

What's happening to you, Zabuza?, Haku jumped up with the needles at the ready as this Kakashi was now standing over his master; no doubt about to deliver the finishing blow.

...

"..Hi."

He's sitting outside in woods he recognized from growing up; large, steady and tall oaks that always seemed immoveable. He looks down and realizes he is small-his hands were the ones of someone about five or six. He turns towards the voice that greeted him, soft and small, friendly-

An older boy stands there, holding a long stick and in a blue yukata; his hair was a mess, his knees were dirty while his smile was so bright and full of sharp little teeth as he stands before him. He looked about eight or nine.

"H-hi," he responded quietly, standing up. They were about the same height as he walked over to him.

"Are you Zabuza?"

He feels his ears becoming warm, "Y-yes. I'm..Zabuza. What's your name?'

"Kisame! You're the one my Ma says is gonna marry me one day, you look different from what I thought you'd be!"

The warmth spread to his cheeks as he stared at the other boy, slowly rubbing the back of his head, "Different?"

"A good kind of different, from how my Da was talking, he made it sound like you were some kind of demon, but you look okay to me!"

Zabuza smiles slowly; this was one of his nicest interactions with other children. Many were either taken aback by his intense stare or they just chased him away whenever he tried to ask to play. This one though...Kisame was being genuinely friendly to him.

"You...you look nice too Kisame," he noticed the stick and tilted his head, "Are you playing swordsmen?"

He found he really liked the way Kisame beamed before he saw him pick up a longer stick and held it out to him, "You wanna play with me? It kinda stinks doing it alone. I'm the youngest in the clan so not many other kids wanna play."

"Yes!" Zabuza jumps up, smiling and excited to have someone who wanted to genuinely play with him. He looked around before he picked up a stick and turned around to face him, his excitement showing in the way his bounces and gets into a stance like he's seen his father do. 

He was so excited-

There's a sharp pain in the side of his neck.

He snapped his hand up before he fully awakened from the forced state of death he was in. His eyes snap to the familiar porcelain mask that he knew only Haku wore because he found it pretty. Quickly he looked at the clippers that were going towards his throat, where he felt the needles embedded there.

It takes him a moment for his mind to catch him up on what happened, though he already knew the answer. Haku had to step in before he was killed for real.

"That's enough, I'll do it...!" he gritted out as he sat up, wincing as he continued to pull out the needles. His eyes couldn't close until he pulled them both out with a snarl as Haku watched him.

"So...you've already come back to life," Haku's voice was teasing despite the fact that he had brutally impaled his neck in all the right pressure points to ensure it looked like he was truly dead.

Zabuza grunted as he yanked them out, "Dammit you're brutal...Haku...!"

Gods...the first nice dream of the past in years and he had to wake up like this. He growled as he finally blinked his eyes, tasting some of the blood from the wound in his mouth. He continued to bicker with him and he can't help but feel some pride. Haku had grown into a fine shinobi since he took him in; he still had such an innocent world view while able to commit murder at the same time. It was both refreshing and saddening to him.

He thinks Kisame would have liked him if he ever met him.

For now though he just needed a few days to heal, even if he knew it would royally piss Gato off.

...

"How is the boss doing?"

Haku looked up from washing his hands of the herbal mix he had crushed down into a powder. Despite what his master thinks, he needed the medicine if he wanted to get back out there and fight again. Plus after having needles embedded into such a sensitive area he wanted to be sure that it didn't cause any permanent damage that might come back to bite them later.

He turns to Gozu with a smile, "Zabuza-sama is doing well. He's asleep currently. Gato-san came to visit."

Gozu raised a brow, rumbling softly in amusement, "What did that little weasel have to say?"

"He's still hiring us, so at the moment things are going to proceed as planned. Once Zabuza-sama recovers enough, then we head to Nami no Kuni to take care of Tazuna," He poured a small bit of water to then mix into a paste, smiling.

"In other words, you almost killed someone and Gato got scared?"

"I did tell them I was in a foul mood and not to test me," Haku hummed, putting the pestle down before making sure the paste was the correct consistency. What he did not mention was holding the swords of the two henchmen to their throats, "How is Meizu doing after you two had that run in with the Konoha-nin?"

Another rumble from Gozu before he sighed, "We're fine. Though Meizu is too anxious to face the boss right now. But...I do have some information I think you should tell him about."

"Oh?" Haku lifted up the mortar and turned to his master's subordinate. Despite being so young, the rest of their group saw him as the unspoken second in command even if the boy didn't quite see himself as such. They knew Haku was deadly and cold yet somehow still as pure and gentle as the fallen snow. A perfectly crafted weapon who still saw the good in the world despite the terrible things in it.

Gozu rubbed the back of his neck, looking around for a moment. While he knew without a doubt the others were currently out and about on their own missions, he knew this kind of information was sensitive. Especially with how it pertained to the boss.

"When Meizu and I were hiding after our escape, we overheard talk from the nin who came to arrest us. No hunter-nin of course, but they were still from Kiri," he cleared his throat before closing his eyes as if bracing himself for Haku's reaction, "...It concerns Kisame Hoshigaki."

Now, anyone that knew Haku always knew that hardly anything was able to rattle him. He was the one who kept a level head in the chaos even when he himself may not agree with something or was unsure, but his loyalty to Zabuza trumped any doubts he may have. It's why they trusted him like they trusted their leader to know how to address a problem if there was another way that didn't require absolute violence.

So when he almost dropped the mortar and gave Gozu a wide eyed look he was a little surprised to see him startled. The teen takes a moment to breathe before he places the herbs down and turns to give his full attention as his mouth is in a firm line instead of the usual blank smile.

"Speak."

The man gulped at how cold and sharp Haku's tone became before he straightened up, "it seems Kisame Hoshigaki has defected from Kirigakure. He killed his sensei and master Fuguki Suikazan and was accused of espionage as well as killing a feudal lord. That is all i was able to get before Meizu and I escaped."

He bites his bottom lip as he tries to read Haku's expression. It was hard to decipher as his eyes moved side to side and around as if he was trying to figure out a problem in front of him instead of processing the information he was given. Haku knew that this information was important, that Zabuza needed to know about this...yet he hesitated.

"..Thank you Gozu. Do not share this with Zabuza-sama, not yet. Gato is already upset and threatening to pull the plug on us if we don't complete the mission. Zabuza will want to go and find Hoshigaki if he hears about this. Right now we have to focus on killing the Bridge builder, then once Gato has paid us for this I will tell him myself about Hoshigaki-san's defection."

"Are you sure? The boss-"

"-needs to complete this mission. Gato is our best cover to keep the Hunter Nin out of our hair. I don't wish to compromise our position with this," Haku takes a slow breath. He was a good actor when Zabuza woke from his nightmares; he heard the soft words from his master's mouth when he was deep in a dream, how he would mutter the name of that one person. He remembers how he wakes up with his scent riddled with fear and pain almost every time and Haku knew that if he found out about this then there was a high risk of his master dropping it all.

He would do anything for Zabuza...but right now he needed to think of his master's well being first before anything else.

…

"Do you love me?"

It's empty here; white nothingness that surrounded him everywhere as he lay on his back with eyes staring upwards. He can feel a hand in his, intertwining their fingers fully before he turned his head to the side.

This was how he remembered Kisame from their last interaction so long ago. He turned his head to look at him with their eyes meeting as he slowly rubbed over his knuckles softly. He remembers the way his heart was aching at hearing Kisame ask that and even in this void it felt like it just made it ache harder. He squeezed his hand before he rolled on to his side to face him.

"Isn't it obvious?" He smiled, trying to be playful.

"Maybe I just want it confirmed. Is that so bad?"

He moved closer as something in him just softened. As a shinobi such a thing shouldn't be allowed especially considering they both had a similar goal for themselves. Yet he couldn't bring himself to really care at the moment.

Why didn't I just tell him that I did?

"Coward."

The blank space suddenly bleeds into a landscape of rose blood and midnight thorns that crack and form around them both. When he looked beside him all he saw was his Kisame covered in red. There wasn't a trace of emotion in his face, lips in a simple line, clouded eyes staring into him as all emotion seems to have left him. Yet his grip on Zabuza was hard enough to break.

"You're a coward."

"Zabuza-sama?"

He jerked awake from beside Haku, opening his eyes with a grunt.

The mist was slowly growing as he took a moment to remember where he was while Haku placed a hand on his shoulder. He could feel those dark wood colored eyes staring at him, knowing from the scent alone that his most trusted companion was concerned. He slowly stared down at his hands, flexing his fingers calmly to make sure he was able to use them.

It was almost time for them to finish the job, one he knew had to be done or else they would once again be left to their own devices without the financial cover provided by a pig like Gato. 

He pushes down his thoughts of the dream while willing his hands to stop shaking; he can't let regrets of the past affect how he acts for the future.

No matter how much he yearned to just see Kisame, he knew that it wouldn't be possible for a long, long time.

Right now his main concern was for him and Haku to survive Nami no Kuni, and get Gato off their backs while pocketing their pay from the bastard. His men would remain here to keep watch of their hideout and complete their own missions until their return. If he and Haku should fall well then they would at least die knowing that the others would continue his will.

Even though Zabuza had no intention of dying today.

He gently slipped a hand into the pocket of his pants as he stood up from his seat; holding on to the photo he's kept safe for nine years as he hoped to be able to look down at it tonight after they kill Tazuna.

...

A part of him was a little unsure about being separated from his partner. It felt like they had always been together, working together to complete missions to either gain money or gather intel. He kept the others from going overboard while in turn the Kiri-nukenin protected him.

He knew that it was the right choice to do this alone since it seems this was a ...personal matter for his partner.

"Itachi. I need you to do something for me."

He looked over at his partner; sitting beside him as they waited for a boat to arrive for them and take them into Nami no Kuni since the bridge was not yet finished. It was amazing how easy lips loosened when thugs think they have a shot at impressing newcomers, unaware of who they are talking to. Especially when those thugs are bragging about being hired to kill a nukenin that this Gato person hired for removing the bridge builder. Apparently they had already hit the hideout and sent assassins to kill the nukenin's men and have taken over the hide out.

For the last few years, Itachi has worked at his side. Despite their difference in personalities, he rather took some pleasure in the other's company. There was a mutual respect between them that grew into a tentative friendship that he was grateful to have even if he knew that it wasn't going to last when the time came.

Still. It was rare the older man ever asked a favor of him.

"..I don't know how you will do it. I don't care if you end up killing a ton of people or not. Hell you can do whatever it is you like with anyone else that will be there" His voice was unusually soft, something Itachi wasn't used to. It gets his full attention, "...No matter what happens on that bridge, please save Zabuza Momochi and bring him back here."

Itachi sighed slowly as he watched the battle down below; his sharingan kept track of the battle even with the mist surrounding the bridge.

He can see the dome of ice mirrors that held two genin-he can see their chakra signatures but not who they are with how strong the ice mirrors were. He recognizes the Konoha jonin battling who he assumed is Zabuza Momochi-he would know Kakashi's chakra with his eyes closed-and he can't help but wonder when he should step in.

Already many ideas for a genjutsu that would stick and make it easy to get away run through his mind. He had to wait for the opportunity to plant memories; ones that would be too easy to accept as truth to make their extraction go fluidly.

While he couldn't figure out why his partner wanted Zabuza alive, he could tell this meant a lot to him. Doing this one favor was the least he could do for everything the other does for him.

He jumped slightly from where he watches them-a top the crane that overlooks the bridge. He hears the growling of dogs and through his jutsu he can see the chakra of Hatake-san's ninken as they bite down around the one that he believes to be Zabuza. They are biting down into his arms, his legs and holding him in place. Then he felt an explosion of heated chakra that had him gripping at the sleeve of his Akatsuki cloak.

A part of him was surprised; he didn't expect the Jinchuriki of Konoha to be there. Neither did he expect such a high level of chakra...it would be simple to step in and take him as well.

Instead, he continues to watch the battle unfold before he slowly makes his move.

It was easy to remain unseen as his sharingan activates, fingers twitching at his side as he observes his targets; he knows he has an advantage as no one would expect him to be here. Least of all the Konoha-nin.

Itachi watches as the dome of ice mirrors collapses, slowly moving through the mist; unseen, unbothered. To anyone else he was just a trick from the corner of their eyes while unknowingly his own were meeting theirs.

You're going to die.

Haku felt like he was in some kind of dream as he stood before the blonde boy. He knows that he himself is speaking to the boy, swaying slightly back and forth as the world goes in and out of focus. He knows what he's saying is the utmost truth but at the same time he can't hear himself. Haku has no idea what is happening as he attempts to stop himself to regain control...

In that split moment he feels a soft breath by his ear.

"Play dead."

Haku choked before his eyes rolled back into his skull. He swears he feels his body stop all functions as the world begins to fade to black; unaware that all this was a part of a bigger plan.

Because while he himself had not moved an inch, the power of the full sharingan sets the stage that would create a flawless escape where no one would follow.

Zabuza...sama...

...

Of everyone who had followed him into defection, never in his nine years of planning, of bringing his ambitions into reality did he ever think Haku would be the one to fall.

This all felt like some terrible nightmare that he couldn't wake himself up from. Haku was dead, he was injured, Gato betrayed them and now...now...

It felt like his body and mouth moved on its own yet also not on its own. His eyes were dried from their tears as he felt the different weapons that were plunged into his back, while holding the kunai between his jagged sharp teeth. He can't remember the last time he allowed his face to be uncovered like this, he doesn't care how long it has been since then.

All he knew was that he had nothing else to lose if it meant killing this son of a bitch who was the whole reason he was even here...!

As he sends the rat falling over the edge and into the icy waters below, Zabuza felt his knees threatening to give out. He knows something isn't right, that something was going on around him that not even the pain of his mutilated back could wake him up to. However as he stands there at the edge he feels a hand on his back and feels a quiet whisper in his ear.

"Try not to drown."

All it takes then is a poke to the back of his head...and he tilts over as well. He can feel the rush of the air as he plummets towards the water below and as his eyes look up he sees a silhouette of a figure and in that figure's other arm was the limp form of Haku...yet no one seemed to notice them. It was as if no one else could see them.

Cold water greeted him as he splashed underneath it, the last moments of consciousness telling him that what he was looking up into was a sharingan.

He swore as he fell into darkness that the owner of them jumped as well.

...

He's going to buy me dango everyday for a year for this.

It's dark now and while the mist had thinned he had managed to remain undetected and the effects of his genjutsu should last long enough for them to believe they had buried these two and could continue on their way. The boat was waiting a little ways away as Itachi had to swim while dragging these two through the currents while trying not to draw attention.

The oars creaked as he used them to push the group through, not daring to light a lantern out of concern that they might be followed.

It looked like the bridge would be complete after all. Good for the people of Nami no Kuni and he's sure that those young bloods would be paid well for the mission here.

Itachi fights back a chill that runs up his back as he continues forwards, one of his crows leading the way by cawing out so he would know where to follow.

I need a hot bath, warm, dry clothes and then Zabuza needs medical care while this kid needs to to just be changed and warmed up. Kami, my eyes hurt after that... He can already feel a headache brewing. He hasn't had to do such an extensive Genjutsu in a long time and with so many people he needed to make sure that it sticks.

It takes everything in him not to think of how Sasuke of all people was there amongst the Genin.

He's alive. He'll recover. This boy who hurt him was just doing his job, Still that didn't stop him from being tempted to kick him.

However, that was quickly snuffed as he spotted the familiar silhouette as he finally saw the docks ahead. There's a single blue lantern held up as he calmly tied the small boat to the pier.

"I have Zabuza and his associate, both of them alive. I know you only asked me to bring back one-"

"It's fine, Itachi-san."

He blinked away the blurriness from his eyes as he watched his partner lift him up first and set him down gently. Then as his vision cleared a moment he sees him pick up the teenage boy next and gently hand him off to Itachi. Then he watched curiously as his larger partner picked up Zabuza-the weapons long pulled out of his back as Itachi had made sure to use what knowledge he had of healing to close the wounds there so he wouldn't bleed out.

There's a moment of silence and for a moment the Uchiha thinks his partner was shaking while holding the unconscious injured man he had managed to bring back here.

Instead he carefully placed him over his shoulder and turned back to the Uchiha.

"Let's hurry. I got us into an inn that's fifteen minutes off the main road. We shouldn't be bothered for a few days."

Itachi blinked before he nodded, adjusting his grip on the boy in his arms before he moved to follow the other.

"Very well, Kisame."

Chapter Text

It's strangely quiet right now.

A whirring sound like an electric fan fills the silence with the background sound of birds chirping. There's a dull pain that thrums through his back and arms, so different from the sharp agony he was in when he was last awake. A part of his mind can't help but think something wasn't right.

As the world becomes clearer to him, as each breath of air expands his lungs while his body reminds him he was indeed alive and had been injured by radiating pain through him. Then he hears it; the sound of footsteps that slowly grow louder and are followed by voices; two voices to be exact, one he didn't know, and another he knew too well.

"He hasn't woken up in over a week..."

"You need to be patient. His wounds were extensive, so his body is in a coma-like state to ensure he gets proper rest and recovery. Besides, he is in good hands with my partner with him."

Haku...

-Gato was kicking Haku's limp form on the ground, his own arms rendered useless as he felt the rage and bloodlust that threatened to overwhelm him. No matter how much he tried to push those emotions down he couldn't deny how much it hurt seeing the boy he raised and trained lying there and being disrespected-

His brows furrowed. Haku...he could have sworn he saw his body. He saw him die, trying to shield him from Kakashi's chidori...!

"In the meantime, you should eat something. Sasori-san has already cleared you and it's best if for now you stay close to me. Pain-sama has already approved of yours and Zabuza-san's recruitment."

Recruitment for what? Slowly, he furrowed his brows as he strained to open his eyes. He grunted as a bright light was hanging over him, swaying back and forth slowly. He squinted with a hiss as he slowly tried to raise his hand up to rest over his eyes just so he could be able to see something-

"No."

He stiffened when a hand closed over his wrist now. He can feel the slight indent of a ring, one that presses into where his pulse was. He blinked his eyes at the silhouette that was now in front of the bright light. His arm is pulled back to rest back by his side before something is held to his lips. Everything was blurry as he tried to clear his vision as his mouth was opened slightly to allow what was cool water to pour into his mouth.

When his wrist is released he then feels a hand rest over his forehead now to provide a little shadow over his eyes and as things begin to clear up and now that the light is no longer glaring into his eyes he finally breathes in a familiar pair of scent notes. At first he thinks perhaps he's having some sort of hallucination; the scent of shark skin and mace was such a specific pair of aromas and he only knows of one person who had them.

Zabuza felt his heart leaping into his throat when he saw a face he's longed to view again for the last nine years.

He knows those shark eyes, the gills on his cheeks, the light grayish powdered blue skin, the wild short spiked hair that when held by a headband resembled a shark's dark fin. His mouth wasn't in it's usual sharp toothed grin but a firm line as he seemed more focused on the task of giving him a drink than anything else. He was wearing a sleeveless top that showed his toned arms and the gills on his shoulders.

"You suffered quite a few injuries. You shouldn't move yet or else you'll just end up taking longer for your injuries to heal. I'm honestly you woke up this soon after my cohort got you and that minnow out of a tight spot."

"..K...Ki..." despite the water, Zabuza's voice was rough from lack of use.

"Oh? Do you still recognize me? Even after all this time? I might almost be flattered," He has turned away from him now, focusing his attention on refilling the saucer with more water and then sprinkling some kind of herbs, "It certainly was a surprise when I heard you were working for such a scumbag for money. I never thought you of all people would stoop so low just to chase the thrill of battle, Momochi-san."

It felt like he had just been dunked back into the icy cold waters of Nami no Kuni when he hears such a formality come from the one person who never used it before. His brows furrowed as he opened and closed his mouth.

His eyes followed his hand as he carefully held the medicine to his mouth.

"Drink it all. It will help get your body to heal a little faster."

It was so bitter he almost coughed it back up before forcing it down his throat. His eyes watered a bit before the saucer was pulled from his mouth.

"K...Kisame..." he managed out, his anxiety beginning to rise.

Last he remembered the other was still a member of Kirigakure. How did he end up being found and taken in by him? How was Haku alive right now? When did he go from sinking into the ocean to being here, tended to by his ex betrothed?

Kisame stared down at him; his expression was unreadable as he puts the saucer down and he calmly pulled a blanket back over him.

"You're not in Kiri, so get that thought out of your head right now. I no longer have any room to judge you for betraying and defecting from our village...especially since I ended up doing the exact same thing a few years later," He turned and calmly took the fan he had left on before he turned it to make sure it helps keep the air from getting heavy.

Zabuza opened his mouth to try and speak, to ask questions at this sudden information being dropped on him, before those eyes were on him again.

In all their time together, from their childhood to now-a cruel, ruthless reality called adulthood and being a shinobi-he always thought that no matter what he could always read Kisame like a book. The other rarely hid anything from him, his emotions were always there and thus his heart always on his sleeve. In all honesty when he imagined their reunion the worse he thought would have been Kisame trying to kill him.

Instead he's met with an air of indifference that hits him harder than a punch to the face would have.

"You still have a ways to go for your recovery. I'll come back in a bit, do not try to move unless you want to cause more damage to your arms," He stands up and turns his back to him.

There's a slight tremble to his jaw that he tries to ignore as he watches Kisame retreating back to the door until there's just the noise of the fan and the bright light bulb swinging back and forth over him. It feels like every emotion he's pushed down into his core has ripped it's way back to the surface as he breathed heavily while feeling at the same time that he was going insane.

What hell did I wake up in?

...

No one quite knew what to do when Kisame entered the recreation area; normally their nukenin from Kiri was usually in a friendly mood when coming in here. Sometimes he'll sit down and converse with his fellow omega Kakuzu or he would get something to eat and sit in silence listening to everyone talking around him. When someone was having a game night here he liked to sit and join in, especially in card games.

This time though he went straight to the sink and dropped the saucer down into the sink with a loud clunk. He gritted his teeth a moment as he rested his hands on the edge of the counter, his knuckles paling from how hard he held on.

It's been like this for the last week since they brought back those two. No one seemed to be able to break through the tension or be able to cheer him up no matter what they tried to do.

"Kisame?"

Itachi stands beside him, as if appearing out of thin air rather than just having quietly walked up to him as he gently reached up to touch his shoulder. He knows the other has been stressed out after the talk with Pain to get the pair accepted into the Akatsuki ranks. He had witnessed first hand Kisame passionately speak on behalf of the two mercenaries that the Uchiha had saved from Nami no Kuni.

Granted it had been at Hoshigaki's request though now he wonders if his cohort was having second thoughts.

Slowly the taller man releases a sigh, "I'm fine, Itachi." No I'm not, "How is the kid settling into the base? Is he doing all right?”

"Haku-kun is doing fine. Currently he is showing Konan his kekkei genkai to have it better refined as his master is still recovering. He keeps asking me when he will wake up..."

"He just did. I'm getting fresh water and that rub Sasori said would help heal the injuries without contracting an infection," Kisame grimaced as he picked up the jar with said rub; a herbal paste that has been used by almost every member here that some claimed was magic with how thoroughly it works to heal them. He takes a slow breath before he pinches the bridge of his nose.

The hand on his shoulder gently squeezes, "Do you want to tell me what's wrong?"

"Not here," His eyes looked to the side, "Maybe later. I'll have to see how well he sleeps and make sure to apply it over his back wounds. They're scabbed over but they still need some medicine."

"Kisame-"

"Please. Come by later and I will talk about it then," He takes notice that Deidara had his head tilted towards them while Hidan was trying-and failing-to look as if he wasn't interested in their conversation even as he keeps sneaking peeks over at them.

The hand on his shoulder lifts off and is followed by a sigh, "All right. Let me know if you require assistance with him."

"Will do," he picked up the items before he began to walk briskly out of there.

Keep it together. Keep it the fuck together, you're a former shinobi who protected the Cypher Division, you are not going to lose your shit in front of your comrades because your fucking ex-betrothed is currently recovering here! His thoughts are screaming to try and push down the slowly growing storm that swirls in his chest.

He's been barely keeping everything from spilling out, mainly because he was trying to focus more on Zabuza's recovery while also trying to fight off the urge to strangle him...or kiss him. He wasn't really sure which one sounded more appealing, only that it was the two strongest urges that had been fighting inside him from the moment Zabuza opened his eyes.

He is no longer tied to me. For all I know he probably has someone else now that we're no longer tied together. Even if he doesn't, well...he probably would prefer someone who wasn't a loyal shinobi to the Yodaime Mizukage. He opened the door as his thoughts plague him, striking him with the urge to go hide away or even just pass on this work to someone else.

It would be easier, and he'd be able to do missions that take him off the base that would hopefully be far away from this situation. To avoid everything to continue their life long mission.

Instead he just continues back to where Zabuza was. It would be easier to give up this work to someone else, but the biggest problem with that was he didn't really trust anyone else to handle it.

...

Being awake with nothing to do was one of the worst things for a shinobi. Whether they were a nukenin or a loyal member of one of the great villages all can agree that when they were reduce to remaining idle with no way to occupy their time was the worst. In this case with being forced to keep his arms resting by his sides, being fed and offered water to drink like an invalid was particularly irritating.

There were no windows in this room; only the light bulb that sometimes swings back and forth over him, the electric fan and Kisame silently sitting there either with a book to pass time or tending to whatever Zabuza needed. He didn't even want to think about how he had to be helped to the bathroom on this base by Kisame and he really really wanted to forget how he was assisted through the whole thing.

He might almost be convinced he really died and went to hell if not for the fact that Haku was here and apparently alive.

He had no way of keeping track of time as the only things he manages to do is sleep, eat, take medicine and then have medicinal herbs rubbed over the wounds on his back and arms. Yet he can't disagree that compared to the tension between them the other things weren't quite as bad.

Zabuza wished that whenever he tried to speak or start a conversation that it wasn't met with a cold shoulder, being ignored or being foiled by the fact his own voice was still straining to work. 

All he could do before his throat became sore from speaking was ask for help to relieve himself and to ask for something to drink. Otherwise these long stretches of silence are what fills his days.

At least until he released a heavy sigh and focused his eyes up at the dark gray ceiling over him.

"...How...is Haku?" it's been eating at him more than he cared to admit right now. To know his student and loyal follower was alive yet hasn't been cleared to come in was torture.

Kisame had a book open on his lap today that he refused to look up from as he turned the page, "He's settling in. Konan was impressed by his abilities and believes that once you are healed you two will make an excellent pair. For now though to show how he is on missions he's been paired with my partner."

That was the most the other had said to him aside from when he first woke up. He slowly tried to raise his head to look at him however with being comatose for a week and then forced to remain lying down like this it wasn't a surprise he had some muscle weakness.

"Don't do that. You might pull something."

He grunted as his head thumps back on the pillow.

"I mean it. I want you cleared as soon as possible so I can get back to my own job as a member of the Akatsuki."

"Akatsuki? Is that where I am? Huh...somehow i pictured your HQ to be more...impressive."

CLP!

The book shut sharply as the noise of it filled the room, "You're confined to one room because I went out on a limb to convince them to allow you and your little pet a place here."

"Haku is not a pet, he's my student and my greatest weapon."

"Some weapon. Based on what Itachi told me about his fight, he only managed to injure one genin."

"You shut the fuck up," he snapped angrily, feeling the tension in his temples. He can't help but feel protective of Haku even after all these years. He had him by his side since he was a child, and had trained him to be a shinobi while trying to keep his parental instincts at bay for fear of becoming too attached.

Now though, it didn't matter. They were here now and he had no idea what's been going on beyond that door other than updates on Haku and recovering.

He's jolted out of his thoughts when a kunai stabbed into the futon beside his head, only a millimeter away from the lobe of his ear.

"I don't think it's been made clear to you, Momochi-san," Kisame gritted out, showing his sharp teeth as his nose is mere inches from Zabuza's, "You see, you are no longer the boss here. You and your weapon are now serving the Akatsuki, the organization that I gave up my place in Kiri for. There is no one waiting for you because Gato killed everyone in your hideout and ransacked it until there was nothing left of value to the thugs who went there."

His eyes slowly widened and he swallowed thickly while staring at him. This was the most emotion he's seen on Kisame's face since he came here, and in all honesty it made him strangely happy. This was better than the monotone approach the other took with him. Even if he was trying to strike a nerve it told him that despite the years his Kisa was still in there.

However that was quickly snuffed out as he processed what was said.

His brows furrowed as he bared his own teeth back in a bitter grin, staring into those familiar eyes, "If my men couldn't survive a group of second rate thugs swinging swords around or protecting our hideout then obviously I overestimated who it was that joined me."

Though he can't really say he's not upset about it; why wouldn't he be? Those were his men who followed him all the way from Kirigakure and had their own ambitions for killing the Mizukage. Perhaps they had grown too comfortable with their hideout, and had become less alert because they had settled there. Even if they knew it was meant to be temporary it had become something of a safe space for them.

Now because he had made a deal with Gato, his men were all dead.

He's pulled out of his thoughts when Kisame pulls back from him, his hand resting on Zabuza's chest for just a moment longer than intended before he pulls it away and looks to the wall.

"...Tch," Kisame stands up, holding up his hands as if to say that he was washing his hands of this, "Whatever you say."

Zabuza closed his eyes as the door creaked open, then closed with a loud slam until all there was was the quiet fan and the space of an empty room. As he closed his eyes he couldn't help but grimace when he felt them sting.

Those idiots...how dare they die before we completed our goal.

...

Never in the last nine years did he ever think he'd ever have the chance to meet the person most important to his master.

The times he had dared to even imagine such a thing happening, it was always after the death of Yagura Karatachi and he would meet the Hoshigaki who would have been his master's spouse after they made the changes in that atrocious classist system they were forced to endure. When Haku had pictured him, he had envisioned the omega to look like himself; petite, slim with a slight curve to his hips and chest. He even pictured him with long hair since it was popular for omegas of Kiri to grow it out.

Instead who he ended up meeting was a buff, tall and strong omega with short, wild hair who is a part of this criminal organization known as the Akatsuki. Haku might have believed he was looking at a hybrid of a shark and a human if not for the fact he knew that those of the Hoshigaki lineage were born with such looks.

Itachi sits beside the teen, calmly sipping tea as Kisame Hoshigaki sits across from them. It has been two weeks since Haku and Zabuza came here, two weeks since their battle in Nami no Kuni that almost ended in their deaths, two weeks since Haku saw his master.

He has no idea how Zabuza was progressing right now, only that he was still on bedrest but was at least now awake.

"He has started to move a little more easily now," Kisame hummed as he was grounding up the healing herbs that Sasori had given him, "I don't know what is in these leaves but they seem to be speeding up his recovery."

"That's good then. Once he's able to move around we can proceed with any physical therapy he requires," Itachi puts down his tea, "Haku-san."

"Yes?" He snaps out of staring at Kisame to focus his attention on the Uchiha-the one who basically used his genjutsu abilities to trick their enemies into believing their dead-and politely waits to hear what he has to say.

Itachi hummed quietly, "You seem to have extensive knowledge of the human body. Once your master starts moving around you can examine him. His body may be healing but that doesn't mean he will be at full strength. I'm sure Kisame will appreciate the help."

"What makes you think I'll be sticking close to him once he can move?"

Haku snapped his head towards Kisame, his eyes wide, "...Aren't you helping him now?"

"That is a rather bold assumption to make."

The air becomes tense as Haku slowly digs his nails into his knees to keep his temper in check. 

Normally he wasn't a very confrontational person unless the situation absolutely called for it. He was always keeping his head level and his weapons ready but hidden. Yet whenever it came to his master, logic and reason were tossed out the window.

"...I sense you are very cross with Zabuza-sama, Hoshigaki-san," Haku straightened up then, his fingers clasped and eyes narrowed, "Last I checked you and my master were betrothed to each other."

There was a pause; Kisame went still as a statue like how a shark goes still in the water when they sense danger or are searching for a trail to food. He just stares down at the herbs he was working with before his lip curls into a snarl. If looks could bring forth death then Haku would be meeting the grim reaper right now. It caused the teen to flinch but he didn't back down.

The two omegas scents clashed in the room, making Itachi, a beta, wince. It was a no-brainer that Kisame's two scents of mace and shark skin overpower the subtle ones of Haku. They mix and swirl in the air in a way that puts the beta on edge. He was thankful though that at least Kakuzu and Deidara weren't here otherwise they might try to come and see what's going on.

Then it would be four omegas crossed with each other.

"Listen and listen good, brat," Kisame gritted out, "That was nine years ago when we were both loyal shinobi to a village that's not even worth the dirt on my feet. He made his choices and I made mine. You both should be grateful I wanted to go to Nami no Kuni and save your ungrateful asses."

"You didn't have to," Haku doesn't break eye contact mainly because he truly wanted to know what exactly drove the other to save them. He had every right not to send his partner out to use his genjutsu. In fact, he's surprised Kisame didn't want to kill Zabuza himself; he's heard the stories from passersby, the rumors of the friends and comrades that Kisame has killed on missions without a second glance.

It didn't add up. He knew how close Zabuza and Kisame were to each other especially considering his master practically had dreams of the other. Wouldn't Kisame want to kill him the most?

Itachi doesn't turn his face but his eyes shift to look at him; they weren't red yet but having them on the teenage boy put him on edge. He knows very well that one of the last Uchiha was powerful, especially since he managed to make so many believe he and Zabuza died on that bridge.

"Do you intend to just stand there and glare at me, or...?"

Haku's grimace deepened, for while Zabuza may hold no ill will towards this one, he didn't trust the Scourge of the Mist, "Are you going to wait until his guard is down and kill him like the rest?"

There's a beat of silence that felt so thick that a kunai could stick into it and not be moved.

"..Pfft..." Kisame's lips curled into a smile, as a weak noise left him. He showed off his sharp teeth as his body began to tremble, "..Pffahahahahahahahaha! HAHAHAAHAH!" 

The bitterness rings clear in the laughter as he bowed his head and hugged his stomach. It was so unsettling even Itachi looked concerned as he watched his partner bang his fist on the table.

The action causes the herbs to scatter before as abruptly as it had started the hysterics end with a blank, wide eyed expression on Kisame's face as he now is nose to nose with Haku.

"You don't know a damned thing about me, or the things I've done, minnow," he snapped his fangs while taking some delight in how the boy flinched back from the action, "You can either shut the fuck up and let me get this medicine to your master, or you can keep pushing and I have to tell Zabuza you had an unfortunate falling out with the Akatsuki. Do you understand me?"

He takes some satisfaction at how quickly the boy's brave face fell. Even if he was still giving him a half hearted glare the kid was at least holding his tongue now after his unhinged outburst. Kisame then stands, leaving the mess behind and turned to just leave the recreation room.

He had more important things to take care of.

...

By the next week, Zabuza was able to sit up after a lot of coaxing from Kisame.

While his muscles had some weakness it wasn't as bad as it could be, for as he felt the warm sponge against his healing back he was squeezing a rubber ball in his hands. It was no surprise the first time he did it he was dizzy after being on his back for so long, but he was quick to adjust as he barely flinched at how his back was scrubbed.

He sighed heavily while looking down at the ball in his hands. He alternated between them until the sponge bath was finished-he had long discarded any embarrassment he may feel at this prospect. The first time he was able to sit up and see the room better he couldn't find kubikikiribocho anywhere in sight. It left him disappointed but not surprised that the sword wasn't here; after all to leave an injured shinobi a weapon could prove a fatal error and it made sense he wasn't fully trusted yet.

Kisame puts the sponge down before he gives the wounds a look over once more before huffing, "You need to air these out. You think you can handle laying on your stomach for a while?"

"If I can avoid sleeping on my back, I will be so fucking happy."

A snort answers him as he hands the ball back to him. He can feel the strength slowly returning to his arms, a part of him wishing it would hurry up so he could be able to hold his blade again. He slowly turned his head to look back at Kisame who was now cleaning the sponge out and had his back to him. He rolled his shoulders as he made them crack, the muscles shifting as he continued to work.

. .He's gorgeous...even after all this time, Zabuza felt his heart trying to leap out of his chest as his eyes roamed over him. Despite them both being older now, Kisame always looked so beautiful to him. He remembers getting odd looks from his peers whenever they caught him admiring the view; either in awe at seeing him win a match or like right now where he is just taking in the beautiful sight before him.

The urge to rest his forehead against the other's shoulder like when they were younger rushes through him as if he had touched an electric wire. He bites the inside of his cheek in order to stop himself from giving in to it.

It was still tense, even after three weeks of being cleaned and given medicine for his injuries. It feels like every interaction was just a hair's width away from turning violent. He knows what they call Kisame back in Kirigakure; he remembers hearing the rumors about how anyone paired with Kisame for missions were killed off before the end of them. How it started happening after he killed the entire cypher division in one night in order to avoid them being captured.

Not that Zabuza had any room to judge him for that.

…

His eyes are on the sake bottle.

It was confusing at first; he knows he hasn't touched sake since...since...

He closed his eyes tightly yet the dream continued as it usually would. Already those hands slowly trace over his stomach, his sides, slowly pushing the thumbs into his lower abdomen where his womb was. A rancid tongue lapped over the gills on his cheek as he refused to take a look .

He's going to be disgusted...

A choked noise leaves him as the memory plays out; he remembers every time this happened. 

Remembering each mission when he returned alone to an empty HQ, it ended with him temporarily paralyzed on Fuguki's desk. It never seemed to stop...he hated it.

Zabuza will hate me...

He opens his eyes again-it hurts so much, even if this was a bad dream, a terrible flashback, it hurts-and this time he's not looking at a sake bottle. Instead what greets his eyes ins Zabuza standing and looking down at him; a shadow over his eyes as he just watches what happens. 

Kisame wanted to scream, and wanted to tell him to go.

Don't look at me...don't look at me don't look at me, don't look don't look DON'T LOOK-

"AAH!"

Kisame felt like he had been jump started awake as he let out a shout without warning. His eyes are wide as he sits up from his futon, quickly flexing and moving his hands before he touches over his cheeks. They're wet, warm as the tears stain his fingertips.

It takes him a moment as he frantically looks around at his space as if he was seeing it all for the first time before his consciousness finally catches up with him. He looked down at his body while trembling. Even after all this time, he could still remember all the horrible moments with his now dead mentor. Slowly he covers his face and lies back in his own futon as he can heard Samehada chitter and click softly.

When he peeks through his fingers he finds the beast beside him as its tongue slipped out and gently licked his cheeks in an attempt to comfort his wielder.

"..I'm okay..." he croaked out as he ran his painted nails over the spikes all over the creature's body, "Just a bad dream..."

One he hasn't had in months until now. It's been four weeks since Zabuza came here and to say his emotions were becoming complicated was an understatement. It felt like he always had to be on guard no matter what, always had to look over his shoulder whenever he was alone. His mind was in turmoil with thoughts he believed he had long locked away and gotten away from when he skewered that bastard Fuguki.

Why? I was starting to feel safe...why am I having nightmares again? I will never see that creep ever again, I have Samehada. I am a master of my own fate...I'm going to create a world without lies... He pinched the bridge of his nose as he then gently petted the beast sword's tongue when it opened the mouth to try and help himself calm down.

"..stay here Samehada, and guard Kubikikiribocho," He stood up slowly as he looked down at the no-tailed beast that was the weapon he used for battle. It was hard at times to remember this wasn't a pet.

Samehada trilled worriedly but did as ordered, moving to lay beside the executioner's blade that belonged to Zabuza.

...

Well at least I can manage to walk around the room, Zabuza sighed as he stood on his aching legs.

Somehow he managed to stand and find the small string that turned on the light bulb so he could at least walk around the space without tripping. His muscles were sore but it also meant that at least they were working. It would probably take another few weeks before he was deemed well enough to meet this Pain and start training again.

There's still nothing to tell him what time it was, no way for him to know if it was early morning or late at night and while he's sure the door wasn't locked he wasn't going to be stupid. He didn't know where he was, didn't know this place's layout no matter how much he wanted to get out of here. He hasn't seen Haku or anyone other than Kisame. Apparently Haku was melding well with the organization here, though they weren't letting him visit yet.

They apparently wanted to make sure Haku was able to work with the others without influence from him before he was introduced.

"Okay...you can do this Zabuza..." he murmured to himself, "Just walk around the room to strengthen your legs so that you can be-" He jumped when the door suddenly opened and he almost got hit in the face by it, "Gah!"

"Hm?"

Zabuza blinked as he slowly leaned out to see who had opened the door, finding Kisame standing there in a simple sleeping yukata. He looked just as startled to find the other out of bed, the two of them taking a moment just staring at each other.

"...I see you're able to walk," Kisame murmured as he closed the door behind himself, "How are your muscles? I am guessing they hurt like a bitch."

"You have no idea. My legs feel like they're ready to give out on me with how shaky they are," He gritted his teeth, showing the sharp shark-like grimace.

Kisame paused; reminded of when they were children and Zabuza would snap his jaws playfully at him when they would be swimming in the ocean together. It felt like those days were centuries ago instead of almost a decade. He remembers feeling so safe with him; hell even under the waning anger and his stubbornness he felt safest with Zabuza than he ever had with anyone else. Even compared to the safety a child should feel with their parents it was more than that with Zabuza.

He's brought out of his thoughts when he heard the other stumble, his reaction immediate as he reached out to grab his arms to keep him steady.

"Fucking...dammit...!" The other cursed as he tried to stop his legs giving out then. He was doing so well getting around the room moments ago, he shouldn't be this weak! Though he wasn't going to lie, it felt nice to have Kisame's hands on him as the taller omega led the alpha back towards the futon.

"Are you truly surprised? You've been out of commission for about a month now," He hissed as he gently helped lower him back down. Out of habit-he was charged with taking care of Itachi-he fixed the blanket around his shoulders as Zabuza remained sitting up, "Though I do remember you ignoring the doctor's orders after your final exam as well.

For a split second, Zabuza stiffened a little at being reminded of that day. Without his mask his expression was clear on his face as he grimaced and averted his eyes. He hated being reminded of that. Even when he was fresh out of the exam people were talking to him about it, congratulating him, cursing him, afraid of him. For an eleven year old back then to be faced with so many different reactions like that would make a lesser shinobi crack.

Zabuza clicked his tongue, "I never had injuries this severe before, even during my days in the Bloody Mist Village."

Kisame looked him in the eyes now, his jaw shifting in a way that told only someone who knew him well that he was irritated or rather bothered by something. It didn’t help that the scent of shark skin and mace that emanated from Kisame was slowly spreading out.

"You know if those blades had struck anywhere in your spine you could have been paralyzed. Be thankful you can still move at all."

"...there is something I have been meaning to ask you," pupils as dark as the abyss of the ocean met with his seafoam ones. Oh...he forgot about Zabuza's eye color. He remembers looking into them many times, yet he never grew tired of it. They always seemed to change for him…

That made him falter, averting his gaze now to instead focus down at the floor. It feels like his anger he's held on to just falls away to be replaced with fatigue. The flames of his rage were snuffed out in that moment to be replaced by something more vulnerable. Something he had pushed down into himself to survive the Mist up until he finally defected.

"Why did you defect?"

Ah. Right. Of course Zabuza hadn't heard about it. Why would he? He's been gone for nine years after all, he would be trying to lay low instead of gathering information on what was happening in Kiri.

"...I was..." Used. Decieved. Raped . "...betrayed by them first. By Fuguki," He replied carefully, "After you tried to kill the Mizukage, Suikazan-san had ordered me to kill off the Cypher Division if Konoha's Torture and Intelligence were closing in and there was no escape. There was no escape for them, which meant I had no choice but to remove them...I became known as a shinobi ready to kill his comrades at a moment's notice to make sure no one would end up in enemy hands..." He slowly pinched the bridge of his nose as those seafoam eyes are glazed over, "...The bastard who was my mentor turned out to be a disgusting creep' how he managed to tame a blade like Samehada like he did will be a mystery to me...not that i don't have to worry about that bastard anymore."

Zabuza's knuckles turned white from how hard he clenched his fists when he hears that. it didn't take a genius to realize something had happened to his former betrothed. He slowly moved closer to him and lightly pressed his shoulder to his while keeping his head down. A part of him wanted to ask, he can feel the question at the back of his throat before he forced it back down like swallowing bitter medicine.

That was knowledge he had no right to ask of him.

Kisame turned his head to look down at the Alpha with his brows furrowed and expression unreadable.

"...You are the one person I regretted leaving behind when I defected."

He blinked, eyes widening at Zabuza's quiet words. It felt like a kunai had plunged right through something in his chest as he processed this, swallowing slowly as a small sense of...relief? Satisfaction? Closure? He couldn't tell only that the anger, the bitterness was just...gone.

"I knew that what I was doing would end with my death or my defection. The last thing I wanted was to drag you along when you had so much going for you. You deserved to have a full, successful life..." Zabuza released a shaky breath, "...Everyone else could go to hell...my parents, the village, the fucking Mizukage...but you? You haunted me...for nine years you've haunted my dreams, my thoughts. Sometimes I believed you died and your spirit was following me around..."

That earns him a quiet chuckle.

"If I had known you defected I would have looked for you, offered you a place with me and my group..."

"As much as I would have appreciated such an offer...I swore my allegiance to the Akatsuki a long time ago. There's so much you don't know, Zabuza...about the lies that were festering in that village...in so many other ones...I wanted to stay angry with you when we brought you back."

You made that abundantly clear, Zabuza's brows furrowed, keeping that thought to himself. 

There was no use being sarcastic right now, especially since it's been so long since they had a heart to heart like this. It made him think of the times sitting on the Hoshigaki Main House's porch that overlooked the mangroves that grew in the waters there. He remembers many deep conversations they had; their last one being before Kisame went to Fuguki for his training to wield Samehada.

"I have nine years worth of anger that I wanted to unleash on you. There was a time I would have left you to your fate at Gato's hands. Now this anger inside me just feels exhausting and draining especially when I realized letting you die meant I would never see your face again. Even if it's a stupid face..." he chuckled softly at his own joke, Zabuza snorting as well as he smiled a bit to show his sharp jagged teeth.

He forgot how much he missed seeing that smile. It had been so long since he saw him do so, especially when he wore that stupid mask of his.

In that moment, their heads turned to face each other, Kisame realized just how close they were, his nose lightly brushing his.The alpha’s scent of blood and shark meat just washes over him, a strangely comforting scent that would make a lesser person recoil. It was so familiar to the point of soothing to him. 

There's a pause between them, the kind that felt like a silent question that neither needed to ask. If one of them decided to lean in then it would become something more between them.

Kisame closed his eyes as Zabuza closed the gap.

Chapter Text

"I take it you couldn't sleep."

A quiet sigh of affirmation answers the Uchiha as he quietly shuffles some playing cards. It wasn't uncommon for members of the Akatsuki to have sleeping troubles, after all each and everyone carried baggage that tended to keep them up. In his case it was due to the fact that he was having a small flare up and it wouldn't allow him peace hence he found himself here trying to distract himself with a game of cards with a troubled boy who looked like he hasn't been able to shake off what's bothering him.

Haku watches him deal the cards as they sit in the rec. room; it was empty and they had lit a small lantern so they could have a game of go fish.

"I am worried about Zabuza-sama," Haku admitted softly as he accepts his cards and quietly shuffles through them, "I haven't been able to see him for four weeks and I don't know how he's doing or if he is actually safe under Hoshigaki-san's care."

Itachi hummed as he put the rest of the deck down and looked down at his own cards, "I believe he is. Kisame may be a ruthless fighter, but when he is taking care of someone's life, he doesn't handle it lightly," He looks down and hums softly, “Any twos?"

"Go fish," Haku still grimaced a bit, as his constant companion throughout  the month reached for a card from the deck between them, "...last I heard, he was well known for always killing his colleagues during missions. He even killed his mentor to be able to wield Samehada," he anxiously shifted the cards between his fingers, "I just don't want that to happen to Zabuza...any fours?"

Itachi hummed softly, "Go fish," His eyes watched the boy before him with a pang of sympathy. 

He remembers being so young and having to carry the weight of someone else's life on his shoulders, "If I'm honest Haku, you have nothing to worry about with Kisame. I've been his partner here for a long time, and while yes he can be bloodthirsty in battle he has only ever raised Samehada to me once; and that was when we first met. Any threes?"

Haku bowed his head before he handed him the three from his cards, grimacing, "Forgive me, itachi-san, if I find it a little hard to believe."

"You're forgiven. Any sevens?"

"Go fish."

"Besides, you two are officially members now. We may not all get along, but we still try to look out for one another out on the battlefield, for we all share one goal," Itachi doesn't look up from his cards, "To create a better world of peace."

The boy doesn't answer, but his brows do furrow at that. What a nice dream to keep the moral up here though he can't help but wonder how they intended to do that. Perhaps once his master was finally cleared to work with them they can both sit down and discuss their new arrangements here with this group. If his master decides to stay here then Haku will follow. If he decided they needed to leave he would follow.

He was after all a follower of his master and no one else.

...

It really felt like an explosion of emotions was swirling inside him when their lips touched.

They swirl around going from his chest up to his head as the kiss breaks a moment, feeling the omega he left behind's warm breath mixed with the harsh spice of mace and heady aroma of shark skin. It fills him with a sense of nostalgia, warmth, and safety as he gently reaches up his hands to gently cup the other's face. There is still a tremble in his hands but once he has a hold they steady as he kisses the other again.

Sage, this was so much better than anything his mind had ever come up with. Especially as he felt Kisame's hands slid up his back to then curl around his shoulders. When the kiss breaks again he felt like the air was sucked from his lungs. Zabuza breathed shakily before he moved and pressed gentle little kisses along the omega's jaw where his scent glands were, then slowly up over the gills on Kisame's cheek before gently letting his fangs playfully glide over the light blue skin.

He wanted to lose himself in that scent. It never really occurred to him how much he missed it until now when he was so close to the one person he just never wanted to hurt. He gasped quietly when his back met the futon under him. He blinked up at the taller man, trying to catch his breath; taking in how Kisame is slowly moving his hands around to his front, looking down to watch as they gently caressed down his front. He moved his own hands away from Kisame's face and gently down over his arms.

Kisame looked down at him and from this angle, with the lightbulb behind his head, he couldn't see his face, only the way his hands moved slowly down his body until they stopped short at the hem of his pants.

Painted nails lightly tug at them but don't pull them down; as if silently asking his permission.

Zabuza watched him a moment before he gently rested his hands over the other's, "...Go on. It's fine Kisa...promise."

It was like those words were exactly what he needed to hear. Kisame closed his eyes for a moment as he slowly relaxed as if a worry had been lifted from his shoulders. The omega slowly pulls back to untie his own yukata, letting it slide off his shoulders once the ties are undone, standing a moment to allow it to slip down his legs next; followed by a navy blue fundoshi that kicks aside off his foot.

He can't help but be entranced at the sight of the other's naked body; how toned the other had become after years apart. While other alphas would hesitate, be unsure, Zabuza only felt pride that the omega he loved was as strong as he was gorgeous. He reaches out for him to take his hand and gently tugs him back to silently encourage him to continue.

Strong thighs straddle his hips as rough hands tug his pants down enough to let his own cock free. Already it was twitching with interest-he hasn't had much attention in a while after all. His eyes roam over the omega before him, taking in how a blush forms on those blue-grey cheeks, the back of his neck and on his shoulders. There are old scars; faded over time yet still pale enough to contrast against the skin.

What grabs his attention is Kisame's cock that was slowly hardening. A small drop of pre was already leaking from the slit and on to Zabuza's stomach. He reached his hand up to gently give the omega's cock gently caress, before slowly he took his own cock into the same hand. As he started to stroke, Kisame stopped him, gently pushing his hand away and instead taking over.

"Just...just let me do it okay? You're still recovering, Zabuza," There's no bite to his voice and his scent gives away just how excited he was getting. It mixes with his own so perfectly, barely able to keep in his own arousal as shark meat and blood intermingle with mace and sharkskin. It felt like they were in the ocean after a feeding frenzy yet he didn't really mind.

Death and blood has always been a constant in their lives after all.

He carefully rested his hands on Kisame's knees as he took a slow breath so he could relax.

Fuck...how many times have I imagined this moment? He closed his eyes as his cock was pumped pressed up against the omega's. Despite being bigger than the average omega there were some very stark differences. It could be easy to mistake Kisame for an alpha if not for the fact he had no knot at the base. Zabuza's own was pulsing against the base of the other's, pre cum leaking from both tips and onto the alpha's stomach. He groaned at the shocks of pleasure, closing his eyes as he tilted back his head.

He always thought their first time together would be on their wedding night. it was considered traditional to wait until then, hence it was imperative the two not be alone after they present. He remembers imagining Kisame in a white wedding kimono, something simple yet elegant and they would spend the night gently undoing all the hard work of getting it on.

Yet this was better than anything his mind conjured up. This felt real, more special than whatever he imagined happening on a wedding night that never took place. He closed his eyes with a loud hiss as his hips jumped a bit at a particularly hard squeeze.

"Haaa...you...you have a nice sized cock...fuck..." Kisame breathed out; the same moment something wet and warm dripped onto the alpha's lap. He takes a slow breath as he leaned down to nuzzle into the other's neck, starting to stroke them both a little harder, Heat tingled up Zabuza's back from the pleasure that suddenly overwhelmed him. He bites his bottom lip and tilts his head back.

"You...you're good at this..."

"Heh. It's been nine years, you tend to pick things up with company you keep..." the stroking stopped then; both cocks fully erect before he releases them to focus more attention on Zabuza's. This time he kept his touch light and soft as he slowly rubbed his thumb along the tip to smear the pre over it.

"Fuck,' he gritted his sharp teeth before he hears it. A wet squelching noise that has him lifting his head to look down where he sees Kisame's free hand had slipped down past his own member.

More slick dribbles down and stains the alpha's pants, watching the way Kisame's knuckles move as he fingered himself.

Dammit...I want to finger him...he shouldn't be doing all the work because I'm injured... He doesn't dare to move though; he wanted to respect Kisame's decision to take the lead for right now.

He doesn't know what happened before the Akatsuki but he could see it affected him more than he let on. The last thing he wanted was for Kisame to get anxious or second guess himself especially now. Zabuza keeps his hands resting on the other's knees and closes his eyes to just let things continue as they are. It wasn't as if they were going to be anywhere anytime soon.

Kisame closed his eyes as he had two fingers inside himself; his cunt was wetter than he ever thought it could be. He bites his bottom lip as he feels his own slick dribble down his fingers and pool in his palm. it's been so long since he ever became this wet outside of his heats as he made sure to curl his fingers.

It was important to make sure he was ready; he didn't want his first time having a cock in his pussy to hurt. He closed his eyes as he thought of all the times he's thought about it even when he was angry. He always thought Zabuza would be adequate and judging by how his cock felt when he stroked it he was more than such. He looked down slowly, his cheeks flushed a soft violet as he watched the precum dribble on to the other man's stomach.

"You...fuck Kisa...your hand..." he hissed as he reached up to gently rub his arm, "Shit...!" he hissed as more leaked out in thicker drops and made his knot throb.

A soft, breathy chuckle comes from the omega as he slowly moves forwards, slipping a third finger inside himself as he slowly leaned over and kissed the corner of the alpha's mouth. Zabuza turned his head to catch the other's lips, deepening the kiss as a purr escaped him while grabbing onto the sheets of the futon when he felt the hand pull away. For a moment the air felt cold on his hardened length as the kiss breaks, Zabuza raising his head to see what was happening when Kisame's cock was no long pressed to his-

A fresh gush of slick stains the underside, warming his cock before soaked folds of the omega's cunt press and spread over him. He can hear a soft gasp leave Kisame's lips as he slowly ground his hips down. He can feel it; the way Zabuza twitched and throbbed against the light humping while his own omega cock was bouncing slightly with each soft roll of his hips.

At this rate, I'll end up cumming like this...

His thoughts are interrupted when Kisame suddenly wraps his fingers around the tip and very slowly leads it to where warmth waits to engulf it. Zabuza for a moment raised his hands as if to grip on to him, to pull him down, to take over the pace. Instead he paused in mid air and took a shaky breath.

Kisame wanted control. He would not give in, not until the other wanted him to. This...this was important. He may not know why, it just was. He knew that it was taking a lot of trust for him to even be doing this.

"Fucking...damn...!" Zabuza gasped as his head tilted back when the other sinks his hips down.

It was so soft and wet. The heat surrounds his cock, sending a shock of pleasure up his back. He groaned quietly as he tilted back his head, an ache in his jaw. His fangs were unsheathing with the need to nibble. The urge to sit up to nip along the other's jaw, to get the scent glands there to release a stronger aroma felt overwhelming to the point his grip on the sheets practically rips them.

A hoarse noise leaves Kisame when he drops down to the base with a tingle going up his spine. He took a moment and gasped sharply as he bowed his head. Even with stretching it was still a little more than he expected as he dug his nails into Zabuza's chest.

It didn't hurt at least. It was simply uncomfortable since it's been a long while since he had anyone inside of him, looking down as his own cock rests on Zabuza's stomach as he gives himself a moment. With a trembling hand he reached down to slowly pump himself and bowed his head. He barely notices the way the alpha's hands were curled into fists, or the way his hip gave small twitches as if he was holding himself back.

Fuck...he probably hasn't seen any action either...he's being patient... The realization sends a fresh wave of warmth through him that mixes with the aching heat of his building arousal. He clenched slightly around Zabuza, biting his bottom lip as he slowly tugged his own cock back to slide his other hand down to rub at his own clit. His breathing shakes as he bows his head.

It helps ease the discomfort as he slowly raises his hips slightly before dropping back down in a shallow thrust. A moan leaves him when the tip presses at a particularly sensitive spot, the slick helping make it a little easier on the omega.

"Nnngh..." he dropped his head when the arousal grew.

This felt good inside his cunt. Is this what the fuss was all about when his parents told him to wait? He can't help a breathy chuckle to leave him as he thrusts his hips down with a little more fervor. He closes his eyes to try and find a rhythm as he feels Zabuza throbbing inside him.

"K..." Zabuza hissed, "Kisa...please..."

“Mmm?" He looked down at Zabuza now, taking in the tears in the sheets as he noticed how tense the alpha was. It caused a pleased rumble to leave the omega as he took in the intense, almost pleading look. He didn't think Zabuza could look so needy before...he liked it.

Kisame slowly leaned over him to rest his hands on either side of Zabuza's head, then pressed their forehead together.

"You feel...you feel good in me, Zabuza," he whispered, giving a slow grind of his hips as he gasps shakily, "So...so so good in me...you...you're the only one...in my pussy..." Coherent thought was getting a little harder as he continued to move, "only one...only ever was...fucked in my mouth...or ass...never...please please..."

"Kisa..let me...let me touch you...please...let me...lemme do something..." Zabuza grunted as he tilted his head back. It was getting harder to hold back; as much as he wanted Kisame to be comfortable he felt like he was going to go feral at this point. The wet warmth wrapped around him so wonderfully, the way he coiled around his length, the way his face was tinted a soft shade of violet as he blushed darkly against his soft powder blue skin. He looked more beautiful with each passing moment and it just made him want to touch him more.

There's a pause, a moment of uncertainty as Kisame continued to slow, deliberate grind of his hips, though his fingers pause against his sensitive little bud. For a moment he thought Kisame was going to decline. He had every right to even if it felt like immense torture for the alpha, worse than any he was put through before.

"...All right."

Zabuza took a second as he looked up at him; his once betrothed, his dearest friend since childhood, the only person he never wanted to be hurt by his actions...

He sits up suddenly, wrapping his arms around Kisame's waist and then rolls them both over onto their sides; him on his right side and Kisame on his left. The action draws out a yelp of surprise as he tugged the omega's leg up to hook over his hip. It took a moment; he needed to make sure they were in a better position, especially since he moved them both while still inside Kisame.

Still...he thinks this is the closest they have ever been to each other. He felt Kisame's hand on his shoulder, how his fingers dig slightly when he shifted his hip a moment. He slid his own hand down his side to Kisame's thigh, leaning up and kissing over his neck. It felt like something had overcome him as he slowly began to thrust.

" ...aaah...!" Kisame breathed sharply as he felt the tip brushing that spot inside him. He used his leg curled over Zabuza's hip to pull him closer, trembling harshly as he bowed his head. He's thankful the pillow of the futon was big enough for them both to lean on before he rests his forehead against the younger man's.

A part of him wonders if this was a dream. A happy dream that he would wake up from at any moment, a sweet, tender lie of his subconsciousness as the hands on his hips hold him in place to be thrust into. His cunt clenched down as his own cock was pressed between them, the friction caused by Zabuza's thrusts sending a pleasant ache to the core of his stomach. He closed his eyes, his breathing becoming ragged as he dug his nails slightly into the other's back.

"Za-" His words are stopped by a kiss, deeper than the one earlier. His moans were swallowed as the pace began to pick up the same time Zabuza slid his other hand past the other's hard cock to instead play with his clit. The omega moaned as his brows furrowed from the extra shock of pleasure rushing through him.

Sharp fangs then nip his bottom lip, the taste of copper and sensation of warm blood dribbling down his chin. Instead of pushing Zabuza away, he deepened it; letting the red stain the alpha's mouth. Perhaps it was because of the clans they are from, the influence of being raised in a violent era, or even due to the nature of their swords that made the smell and taste of blood feel like an aphrodisiac.

He gasps when the kiss breaks; seeing crimson smeared on the alpha's face as the pace begins to pick up. it wasn't faster, however the thrusts were deep, precise as if making sure each one was sending shocks of pleasure through Kisame's body.

"Hh..hh...d-deep...you're s-so deep...please...please..." he panted; he felt it. A coiling tension that seemed to grow tighter the longer he's being fucked into, combined with how his clit was being rubbed and flicked over by calloused fingers.

Zabuza moved his hand holding Kisame's hip to instead hold his face, caressing his cheek and the gills under his eyes.

His knot was already starting to shape itself. He felt his cock throbbing the closer he was getting to his own orgasm as the ache in his gums was becoming unbearable. Bite. He needed to bite. To mark. To claim Kisame as his and no one else's...!

For so long he has waited for this moment. Waited to have Kisame like this, to mark him, knot him, so that he would finally be his mate. There was no one else in this world that could compare to him even if they had been apart so long.

"Zabuza...Zabuza please...fuck, fuck fuck..."

"Please what?" He hissed, "What do you want me to do, Kisa?"

Kisame gasps when his clit is rubbed harder, his eyes rolling back with a shaky moan as he bucked his hips down, "Please...knot...bite me...please knot and...bite me...!" his voice was cracking as he feels the skin break under his nails, "..m-make me bleed...please...!"

That was all he needed.

With little time to think, he bites down with a snarl and closes his eyes as he did. He slipped his right arm under the omega-his omega-and wrapped it around him to pull him closer. He wanted to be as close to him as he possibly could as he bites down into the crook of his neck.

The skin broke under his fangs as he pushed his knot inside the welcoming heat. He growled as he came, closing his eyes as he made sure Kisame couldn't move away-not that he would as he moved his hand up to grip the back of Zabuza's head. He moaned against the omega's neck as he tasted his blood, his hips giving a few little sharp jerks as he made sure not a single drop of his seed would be wasted.

He barely registered it when Kisame's cock released between them; staining both their stomachs as he made sure to hold the omega steady.

Then he growled when he felt sharp fangs dig into his shoulder. He felt Kisame tremble against him as Zabuza was in some haze as he basked in the taste and scent of his omega's scent, notes of mace and shark skin merged with the copper flavor of the sweet blood dripping over his tongue. At the same time as his knot settled inside he felt each little twitch around his knot; it was barely noticeable yet it made Zabuza's own scent fill the space as he slowly released the crook of the omega's neck . He licked his lips before he leaned down and licked over the wound.

In turn he felt his omega's fangs release him as well.

He turned his head then, pressing kisses along Kisame's cheek and leaving wet kiss marks before kissing his lips again; slower now, savoring it as they come down from the orgasmic high.

If this was a dream or for some reason he has been allowed into heaven, he hoped to never wake up or reincarnate.

...

"Wow...how late were you and the kid up?"

A blanket is gently pulled over the sleeping Haku; the cards now scattered around the coffee table for the fifth round of go fish that he just could no longer stay up to continue. He hummed quietly as the soft blue wool blanket was tucked around him before the pillow under his head was carefully fluffed.

Itachi hummed in response to Hidan's question as he turned to the table and started to pick up the cards, "He went to sleep just a few minutes ago. He was restless so I stayed and we played card games."

He heard his fellow Akatsuki member approaching, looking up to see Hidan now was leaning over the back of the couch and raising a brow down at the teen. He looked about to poke him when Itachi lightly swatted his hand away.

"Let Haku-kun sleep, Hidan, he's had a very rough time resting lately," itachi huffed, "Now if you came in here to do your morning prayers, can you perhaps do them a little quietly so you don't wake him up?" The beta kept his voice gentle, steady as he gently tapped the cards back into the box.

The jashinist huffed in mild annoyance, but he didn't try to argue. The alpha knew better than to upset the beta, especially since he had been put into a genjutsu once already when he challenged the frail man to a duel. He did not wish to do that again if he were to upset the Uchiha by waking up the young man that Itachi has kept by his side since he and Kisame returned.

"So...where's Kisame? Normally you and him are conjoined at the hip," Hidan drawled out softly.

"Kisame went to bed," Itachi hummed as he tucked the deck of cards into his sleeve, "He has been stressed so I insisted he go to sleep early since we won't be assigned anything for a few days more. Pain was very specific about the care of Zabuza."

Hidan blinked then snorted, "So that's why Kakuzu's tits were in a twist the last few weeks. Another mouth to feed and create a finance plan for, no wonder he hasn't been up for fucking lately."

"Must you be so crude?" Itachi rolled his eyes.

"Hey I'm just saying what I've been experiencing you know? I get it that we have new members, just...don't like seeing my mate stressed to high hell."

Another eye roll as Itachi stands and walks to the counter to put the deck on before he goes around to the fridge to grab some water. Honestly he really just wanted to get some water in his system and then go to sleep in the chair beside the couch Haku slept on. He can't help feeling protective of the young man; every time he looks at him it's a reminder of what he no longer has.

He just wants to at least protect one young life if he can.

The jashinist sighed as he walked away to where his altar was; anyone who was here when Hidan joined they knew that trying to remove the altar at any time just caused more trouble than it was worth. If he remembered right when Sasori tried to do it he ended up having to change to a new puppet body.

At least it's a quiet morning. He closed his eyes and sipped his water with a hum.

…

Small.

He felt small as he looked around the living room...his family home's living room. When he looks at his hands he sees the small, delicate soft palms and fingers of a child no older than five. 

However before he can figure out what's happening, he feels a familiar warm hand close over his small ones.

The hand was a lighter blue-gray color; the fingers were calloused but nimble. Perfect for a hunter-nin of his mother's stamina.

Ah yes...he recognizes this scene now. How he had looked over Shachi's hands that day with utmost curiosity before he saw the scar tissue around the third finger away from the thumb beside the pinky. He slowly ran his tiny fingers over it tilting his head curiously.

"..Ma? What's that?" He nodded down at the scar before looking up.

He always thought his mother was a beautiful shinobi; with his shark-like features and long hair tied back in a low ponytail. Even with a leaner body than was expected of their kind of Kiri-nin, he managed to carry himself with such confidence with the skill to back it up. Shachi was an omega that he could admire, look up to, even if he wasn't a swordsman like Kisame wanted to be.

"That? That is my engagement mark," Shachi explained gently, as he let him study it, "Your papa gave it to me to propose after two years of courtship. This is how descendants of the samebito propose to each other, my little shark." The fingers of his other hand were warm as they carded through his short hair.

"Why does it look like that?" he slowly pointed at the strange pattern of the ring. Upon closer inspection the scars reminded him of teeth marks he would see on some sharks.

Shachi smiled softly, "Because he used his teeth and bit down on my ring finger and made sure it was deep enough to scar. So that it would remain there for the rest of our lives. And you my sweet pup," he blinked as now he was being lifted up in the familiar arms, "will have one of your own when you grow up and marry Zabuza-kun."

Kisame could feel his eyes getting wide as his little five year old mind processed it. It made him feel...excited. For the future that was promised to him in that moment with not just his betrothed but his closest and best friend in this entire world…

Nothing would have made him happier than that.

He felt something then. A sudden ache in his neck that was then gently brushed over...

A groan leaves his mouth when he slowly flutters his eyes open with a mumble. The light bulb was buzzing overhead and did little to soothe the sudden ache between his thighs, his hips, and even his back. There's a faint stickiness between his thighs when he moves them slightly that makes him shudder before he finally opens his eyes.

Fingers were gently circling the raw, fresh bite mark on the crook of his neck that earned a quiet hiss from him. It's not even the worst pain in his life yet he couldn't help the flinch he makes at having it touched so intimately before he looked at who touched it.

Zabuza had been awake for the last fifteen minutes, just staring at the mate mark he left. He had his head propped up on his arm, cheek resting against his palm while his dark eyes took it all in. The skin was a bit red around where his fangs had sunk in though thankfully it was already scabbing as he gently traced over it with his fingers. As if this was still so surreal to him despite the evidence so clear to him of what happened between them last night.

"..Hi," Kisame murmured, his head still on the pillow as he looked up at him with half lidded eyes; despite how sore he is he felt lighter. As if something heavy on his heart had been lightened somewhat despite all that has happened to him.

The earned a small smile from Zabuza, mask long left forgotten and hair a mess of it's own with no headband to hold it back from slightly covering his eyes.

"Hey," he replied as he moved his hand down Kisame's shoulder now, gently rubbing the gills there as well, "You feel alright?"

A snort then Kisame sighed, "Sore."

"Hm, sounds about right. No matter how gentle, it tends to hurt after the first time you get fucked...well there," Zabuza continued to trace little wave patterns down Kisame's arm, looking thoughtful as he stopped at the other's wrist, "...Has no one else really had your cunt before?"

Another snort and a more crooked smile answered him, "No. Just you," he was a fucking bastard, and his standards were fucked up but at least I could give that to you because you're the only person I wanted, "...i don't care what Kiri says you were the only person I wanted to plan a life and a family with...even if I was angry at you for a long while I always knew that no one else would compare even if you had ended up dead."

"I wouldn't have been upset if you had found someone else," He cut in as his hand now gently held Kisame's wrist in his hand, gently circling it with half lidded eyes, "Not that I wouldn't be sad...but I wouldn't have gotten in your way if you had found happiness with someone else from Kiri or even another village. Having said that..."

Kisame is fully awake now as he watched Zabuza as he now raised his head a bit so he can take the omega's hand into both of his. As gently as possible he pushed the pinky and middle fingers down so that the ring finger was the one raised, leaning down slowly as he made eye contact with the other.

"Zabuza-"

"I originally wanted to do this the day before you left for the Cypher Division...i wanted to do it, so people knew you were my future, my person, my partner,..." he leaned in slowly, "...and now that I know it's not one-sided, I want you to be my husband, Kisame...Even if it means we're both hunted down and eventually killed by hunter-nin, or we end up succeeding in what this...this Akatsuki place wants, I want us to be tied together for the rest of our lives."

Sage, it felt like he was a boy in the academy again when Mei would tease him about when the proposal would happen with those outrageously cute scenarios of how it would happen. He remembers how it was both embarrassing but also made him feel warm and fuzzy. He didn't need romantic or big gestures but he wouldn't have minded them back then.

Yet here, now, the morning after their coupling? He thought it was the most romantic thing anyone could have done for him.

"So...may I?"

He stared at Zabuza for a moment. There's a small part of him that feared this was his imagination playing tricks on him. It's hard not to think like that considering where he's from, the things he did for the sake of the village drove him to leave it.

Yet he nodded as he did not trust himself to say what he wanted to. He swallowed slowly as he watched, the world seeming to slow down as Zabuza gives the ring finger a small kiss before he slowly slipped into into his mouth; until his fangs are lined up with the base of the finger, slowly letting the sharp tips brush the soft skin while his warm, soft tongue cushioned the rest of his finger...and then he bites down.

"Mmm," Kisame closed his eyes at the sudden pain, doing his best not to recoil or jolt from the pain. He can already feel the warm blood gush around the teeth as it flooded the alpha's mouth. A deep rumbling purr left him as he held down the bite for a solid minute to ensure that when he released it, it would scar over like the mating mark. His hand shook as his ring finger was released before a warm tongue lapped around the wound to sooth it.

Once the bleeding slowed to a stop he pulled back to look at his handy work.

Slowly Zabuza kissed the bite mark ring around his lover...his fiance's finger. He gives it another kiss, then another on the knuckle before he leaned over to kiss his omega, and slipped his arm around him before he held up his own hand; waiting with his own ring finger out to him.

After all, the mark of engagement must be reciprocated.

His fangs sink in as the taste of copper flooded his tongue. He closed his eyes and remembered how the blood from mate marking Zabuza tasted so nice in his mouth, heightening the pleasure of last night. When the tip of one fang touched bone he stopped before he would go any deeper. He was giving an engagement ring from his own teeth not trying to tear off his finger.

When he pulled back he could feel the wet warmth on his lips and dripping down his chin while he gently held Zabuza's hand still. He can feel the alpha's scent spreading over him, he could almost taste the note of shark flesh and slowly rested his head on the other's. A smile slowly crept over his face as he slowly nuzzled his forehead to his.

None of what happened since last night was how he ever imagined his romance with Zabuza would be. Yet it was somehow better than anything his mind ever conjured up in the past.

He closed his eyes when Zabuza kissed him, allowing the other to lay him back paying no mind to the pain in their hands.

Unbridled joy has a way of numbing such things.

...

Itachi quietly opened the door as noon was approaching; considering he had not seen Akatsuki partner all morning and no one mentioned checking in on the patient here he took it upon himself to go and see if perhaps his suspicions were reality...and as he looked in he hummed as he confirmed it.

The kin-slayer liked to think that after working with the kiri nukenin with Samehada, that he knew him well enough to read him. Sooner or later he had a feeling Kisame would end up giving up on his anger and allow the new member back into his life. Despite how hard he tried to come off as a ruthless killer, Itachi just knew there was something hurt and broken in the other man to make him see the world the way he did.

It wasn't his business but he liked to think that perhaps now having someone like his partner's former betrothed back in his life it might help put some pieces back together.

He was just thankful that the two of them had remembered to keep the blankets over themselves.

For a moment Itachi's eyes soften at the sight; Kisame with his head on Zabuza's shoulder, drooling just a bit as the omega's new mating mark was on display about as much as Zabuza's was. The alpha's fingers card through spike navy hair unconsciously even as the scent of sex hangs in the air between them. With how similar the scent notes of shark skin and shark meat were, it was hard to tell whose scent was strongest. Not even the blood scent from Zabuza or the aroma of mace from Kisame could really compare in strength.

He reached up slowly to turn off the light bulb and just closed the door as quietly as he could.

Despite not knowing much about his partner's past, he didn't mind.

Just as he preferred to keep his personal secrets back in Konohagakure, whatever happened in Kirigakure was for Kisame and the mists to know.

With a small smile he turned to leave the two be.

After all, even two killers like them deserved to have some form of happiness.