Kisame sat on dock beside the Crimson Cloud, watching the sun rise with a small smile on his lips. Itachi was at peace. There had always been that niggling bit of pain in him for the longest time. He hid it well, but Kisame knew him better than anyone. Even when he had finally lain to rest all hope of finding his brother, it remained in him. After reuniting with Sasuke, still it remained.

Now, it was gone. Itachi's eyes were clear of that darkness and he could not be jealous of that, try as he might. But, it still left the question of where he stood in everything. There was no doubt in his mind that Itachi would be his until they were both dust, but Sasuke was an enigma. He could not deny he found him excessively attractive, something he had fought against due to his deep affection for Itachi. He had not pushed either of them in the direction they had gone; instead, tried to be there for Itachi when he was finally willing to admit his feelings for his brother ran deeper and darker than simply siblings.

He shook his head at the luck that had fallen in his lap. His life would have been happy with only Itachi in his bed, but now he had a chance to woo Sasuke fully into his arms. For now, He had to give them space, though an instinctual part of him rebelled at the thought. Itachi had been his for so long that sharing him with another was a difficult bite to take, especially since his relationship with the other was barely beginning.

"I knew you would be here."

He grinned but kept his gaze on the horizon. "The sea is a siren that calls to me."

"As does she to me."

Shifting on the wooden dock, he made room for Itachi as he moved to settle beside him. "Are you alright with this? Truly alright?"

"I won't deny that I'm a bit jealous when you're with him without me there."

Itachi shifted his eyes a little covertly to glance at him. "I see. Perhaps, I pushed for things too quickly."

"You did what you had to, just as I did. We've been together a long time, Itachi. I have no doubt that you will belong to me until my body is tossed into the waves."

"Even after that."

"Then, there is no need for me to worry."

Itachi tugged a leg up and rested his chin on the knee. "You know, Sasuke is still sleeping."

"At dawn?" Kisame grinned and chuckled deeply. "You must have worn him out."

"I can't get enough of him." Itachi turned his head and stared deeply into Kisame's face. His tanned hand lifted to brush the matching scars with an almost gentle caress. "I think I'm going to sit here for a while."

Kisame arched a brow at Itachi's obvious encouragement. "You're sure?"

"It should have been done days ago. I was selfish."

"Are you jealous?"

Itachi smiled. "A little."

"About which of us?"

An intense look spread across Itachi's face and he turned to face Kisame. A hand shot out and latched onto his bicep in a tight grip. "Sasuke isn't going to leave me."

"And you think I might? For Sasuke?"

An embarrassed flush dusted across the ridges of Itachi's cheeks. "I have doubts."

"Don't." Kisame stood, but not before running his fingers through Itachi's hair, pulling the tie free as he did. "You caught my eye long before Sasuke. Come if you like and we'll wake him together."

Itachi shook his head and plucked the fallen tie from the dock. "You need to do this. You need to be with him without me. You gave me time with him alone even though you swore you would be present at any time we were together. I'll give you this chance to make a connection with him without me."

Kisame could not fault Itachi for his uncertainty because it mirrored his own. "There's no rush."

"I'll join you later."

The smile on Kisame's face deepened to a broad and feral grin. "Is that a promise?"

"It is."

In a rare show of public affection, he crouched beside his lover and pressed their lips together. The touch was gone almost as soon as it began, but it was a cherished moment all the same because of the public show—just as on the ship while they finalized their plans to bring Sasuke to their bed.

"We'll be waiting for you."

Kisame turned with those words and strode confidently down the road toward his house. A few early risers called out in welcoming to him and he raised his hand in acknowledgement. The excitement he felt rippled through him at this offer from his lover. For what Itachi wanted, it needed to happen. This needed to be more than just Itachi with both of them. It needed to be all of them. He could not deny he wanted that strong little body, had from the moment he met him again. He was no stranger to wanting others, but it was always a passing thing because he always wanted Itachi more. With Sasuke, it was different, and Itachi was giving him this chance to see if he could develop the attraction into more.

It was not a wooing as one would do for a woman. He would fail if he even attempted that route, not that he wanted to. Sex was all he knew when it came to intimacy and that was what he would use to seal the bond between him and Sasuke just as he had done with Itachi years prior.

The morning coolness was fading and the day promised to hold the humid warmth normally found on the island. As he opened the door to the bedroom he shared with Itachi, and more recently with Sasuke, he could not stop the grin on his face from widening at the sight before him. Sasuke trim and muscled body was sprawled out wide with only the soft material of the white sheets hiding his manhood from view. His chest rose and fell almost leisurely and the dark lashes that lay fanned out against his cheeks fluttered as he dreamed whatever visions spiraled through his mind.

For a moment, he was content to watch the young man before him. It was different from Itachi. Itachi was barely out of childhood when he took him for the first time, being unable to resist the boy who was older than his years. Sasuke was fully a man, at least twenty. His body was strong, made so by his life at sea. He would not need a protector.

Settling on the bedside, he touched a finger to the parted lips, tracing their fullness. Though he was an adult, sleep shaved years off him. He was so different than the small half-starved rat that had found his way along with Itachi into the hold of theCrimson Cloud. He had barely passed him a glance back then, but what he recalled of him had grown into a very attractive man.

His hand did not stop its journey as he trailed over the broad chest, ghosting ever so lightly over sensitive nipples and watching in amusement as they puckered and a tent began to form in the sheet. He had no illusions that what dreams now played in the boy's mind revolved around him. This thing between all of them was new and the pieces needed to be placed carefully if they were to work.

Lazy eyes fluttered open as his hand reached the rippled abdomen. He stopped his touches and waited for realization to bring Sasuke into complete wakefulness. The wait was not long and he could not stop the grin from spreading across his face.

"Good morning, Sleepy."

Sasuke sat up sharply and glanced around the room. "Where's Itachi?"

"Does it matter?"

Kisame almost shook his head in exasperation as Sasuke moved to roll away and out of the bed. A firm hand pressing him back down to the bed was required to keep him from jumping up and going in search of Itachi. "This is you and me time. Itachi's giving us a moment."

"What?"

"You're a smart boy, like Itachi in a lot of ways. It's time you and I developed something of an accord with each other."

"I thought we had."

"That was an accord with Itachi. This is with us." He did not bother with the ties to his shirt before tugging it over his head. "And, I plan to enjoy it."

Sasuke was opening his mouth to argue. Kisame was having none of that and covered the parted lips with his own. Argumentative nature was another trait where he differed from Itachi.

Taking in Sasuke's shock pliant body, he began anew with his exploration. Every ridge, bump, and smooth slope of skin was sought out while his lips devoured Sasuke. He caught the moan that traveled from one mouth and into the other, savoring the taste of it on his tongue.

"You taste salty, like the sea."

Sasuke swallowed visibly. "Why?"

"What?"

"Why do this with me when Itachi isn't here? You said he was your real purpose."

Kisame licked his way across Sasuke's chest and down to the hard, brown nipples. "I am here because of Itachi. Like I said, we need an accord."

He sunk his teeth lightly into the flesh and Sasuke arched up beneath him with a groan. Itachi was almost silent in his pleasure, bringing forth sounds always took a little more effort than one would expect. Sasuke was quite vocal with only the slightest of touches. The more he learned about Sasuke, the more he realized that he and Itachi were even more different than he expected, and that excited him more than he thought. There would be no mistaking one for the other or thinking of one when with the other.

"You're pretty loud."

Sasuke scowled down at him and struggled to sit up, impeded by Kisame's flattened hand upon his chest. "Let me up."

"Simmer down, Porcupine."

"I told you not to call me that, you fucking arse," snarled Sasuke.

"At this moment, you definitely look it."

Sasuke shoved at Kisame's hand and very nearly rolled from the bed if not for the quick movement that had him now face down with a hand shoved beneath him, cupping his cock. "Fuck."

"It's not hard to see you were raised by sailors judging by your language." Kisame gave another stroke and felt the body beneath him shudder as a low, rolling moan echoed through the room. "Don't fight me. I can make this feel really good if you let me."

"You don't...want this," gasped Sasuke.

A slight shifting of his hips allowed him to show Sasuke exactly how much he wanted it. "Oh, I want you. I wanted you when you were sitting in the brig. You're spicy while Itachi is cool. It's quite an addicting combination. Never doubt for a moment that I don't want you. What I have with Itachi was cultivated over a decade. I expect nothing less from you."

Sasuke was panting now, his ass grinding back against Kisame's hip all the while attempting to thrust forward into the hand slowly bringing him closer to the edge. "God..."

"Not God...Kisame." Kisame chuckled and placed a firm slap on the pale ass rising up from the bed. Sasuke had a very fine ass, a pale contrast against his tanned upper body. He could not wait and quickly shed his trousers and boots.

Reaching for the oil on the bedside table, he quickly slicked himself before testing the pink hole hidden between pale globes. A small grunt from Sasuke was enough of proof of the tenderness. Sasuke was being used hard and needed something gentle.

With a small laugh, he pushed a pillow beneath Sasuke's hips and settled behind him. He was quite large, befitting his size, so he was forced to enter slowly. Hurting Sasuke was not an option and as much as he might want to plow forward, there were times when he could be gentle. Itachi had been quite tight for the first few weeks of their involvement and required a slow and steady hand.

Sasuke's breath caught as he slid inside, causing a grunt to leave Kisame as tightness engulfed him. Damn, the lad felt good. It was strange to be taking him without Itachi's presence, but also a much needed event if things were to continue smoothly.

Another groan from Sasuke had him thrusting forward gently while the body beneath him adjusted slowly to his girth. From the sounds being made, he had little doubt that his actions were producing satisfactory sensations. His hands moved to join with Sasuke's and he lifted his upper body to add more depth to the thrusts, earning him a louder cry. Yes, Sasuke was definitely different from Itachi in the bedroom.

With carefully measured thrusts, he watched the sweat begin to bead on Sasuke's back. His tongue darted out to swipe at the fluid. Salty. The taste had him increasing his thrusts and groaning in tandem with Sasuke.

"Are you close?"

Sasuke groaned and pressed back against him. "Yes."

"Me, too."

Gentleness was gone from him as heat began to spiral out from the base of his spine. His hips gyrated wildly, pumping in and out with hard force as seed spilled from him in thick gushes. Sasuke trembled beneath him as his body stopped its thrusts and he carefully shifted him onto his back to reveal an angry red erection, begging for the attention kept from it.

He made short work of engulfing it in his mouth, tasting the salty bitterness that oozed from the tip. Sasuke grew progressively louder, his hands gripping the sheets and his head arching back into the pillows. Damn, he was a sexy little shit.

Wave after wave of fluid began to spurt into his mouth and he was unable to contain it as the body he cradled against him shuddered through its climax. What was not caught dribbled down his chin and splattered on the dark hair at Sasuke's groin.

"You're definitely a loud one," he purred as he sat back with satisfaction at Sasuke's completely sated expression.

"Fuck you."

"Maybe one day, if you mind your manners."

Kisame chuckled at the red spreading across the lad's cheeks. He stood, uncaring of his nude form, and walked to the fireplace mantle where he kept a pipe. Stuffing it full of tobacco, he lit a stick in the fading embers of the fire and gave a few puffs.

He was just about to rejoin Sasuke in bed when he heard the bell in the harbor begin the ring loudly moments before Itachi burst through the door. "What's happened?"

"Ship sighted in the harbor."

"Fuck," he shouted and quickly reached for his discarded trousers. "Has the Captain been told?"

"I sent Naruto up to the manner to tell Jiraiya and Pein."

Kisame nodded and was pleased to see Sasuke had also rushed to dress, pulling on the shirt he wore the day before over his head and tugging on well-worn boots. "Is it the British?"

"They weren't flying any colors that I could tell."

The three of them grabbed their pistols and blades and took off for the docks. All crew members from both ships were tearing hide toward the docks along with them. They had just reached their destination when Pein came galloping down the road on a dune gelding.

"Status, Itachi," he barked as he tossed his reigns to a lad sitting on a post by the docks.

"Unknown, Captain. They aren't flying colors. They could simply be a merchant ship off course, but even then, they would fly the colors of their home country in hopes of warning off attackers."

"Agreed. We assume the worst until evidence proves otherwise. Where's Jiraiya?"

"Here." Jiraiya stomped up to the docks while arranging his rather large hat on his head and scowled at the mystery ship. "I hate being rushed."

"Don't we all," acknowledged Pein. "Let's go give our invader a welcome."

Kisame grinned and the two captains and their respective crew boarded the ships that were being readied while they spoke. The gangplanks were withdrawn upon their stepping onto the ship and the colors were hoisted in proud style.

"Take her out, Mr. Asuma."

"Aye, Captain."

Pein pulled his spyglass from his pocket and brought it to his eye. "It's a standard frigate. Nicely armed by the looks of it, similar to a smart merchant vessel."

"It's not a British Naval vessel," stated Sasuke as he jumped down from the rigging and began tying it off.

Itachi arched a brow from where he stood. "How can you tell?"

"British are very particular about the ships in their armada. That one was never designed as a British frigate. I spent ten years on a British ship, I think I would know."

Itachi glanced up to Pein. "What do you suggest, Captain?"

Pein smirked down to Itachi. "I'll leave that to your discretion."

"Aye, Captain. Gunners, prepare to fire a warning shot across her bow."

Shouts could be heard from below deck and the two deck guns were loaded and aimed. "Ready!"

"Fire!" shouted Itachi.

The sound of guns blasting and the acrid smell of burnt gunpowder tickled the noses of anyone in the vicinity. The act seemed to startle the invading ship into action. Almost immediately, a white flag was raised on the mast.

"The fuck?" muttered Kisame. "A white flag?"

Pein frowned and folded his arms across his chest. "Take her to half-sail and signal Jiraiya."

The ship slowed as several of the sails were pulled down. "Orders, sir?"

"Bring her about. We're going to board."

Itachi started and glanced at Pein. "Captain, it could be a trap."

"Don't worry, Jiraiya is going to hold his position and be prepared to fire on the ship should we be attacked. It's good practice for Naruto in patience."

Sasuke snorted from where he stood, earning an amused glance from Kisame. Itachi remained emotionless, his gaze uncertain. "I'll lead the boarding party."

"Quite vicious today, aren't we, Itachi?"

Itachi's lips tightened unperceivably. "I just don't like surprises."

Kisame's expression softened. Itachi had never dealt well with surprises. He was the planning sort. They had spoken many times about the uncertainties that came with his and Sasuke's escape from their homeland and then with Sasuke's kidnapping. Itachi liked working out scenarios in his head and uncertain variables left him skittish and on guard.

"Neither do I; that's why I'm going on board with you."

"I wouldn't have it any other way, Captain."

The ship began easing up beside the mystery vessel while Jiraiya's ship remained at a comfortable distance, ready to begin firing should problems arise. "Prepare to board!"

Those of the crew designated to board filed to the railing while Itachi stood beside Sasuke. "I want you to stay on the Cloud."

"Itachi..."

"I just got you back; let me keep you safe for a while."

"I'm not any safer on the ship if they begin firing."

"Humor me this once."

Sasuke rolled his eyes. "Fine."

Kisame walked up and placed a hand on Sasuke's shoulder. "Keep a sharp eye out. I don't know how this will play out."

"Worried about me too?"

"You're a pirate now. I'd rather not see you in a watery grave before your time."

Sasuke gave a small grunt and turned his gaze to the nearing ship. He narrowed his eyes and then gasped. "What the fuck?"

Itachi turned to glance at him. "Sasuke?"

"Hand me a spyglass."

Sasuke grabbed the glass Itachi passed to him and stiffened. "I don't believe it."

"What do you see, lad?" said Pein as he approached. "Do you know that ship?"

"The ship, no, but I would recognize that man at the helm. It's Captain Kakashi Hatake."

Pein's eyes narrowed and he blew out an annoyed breath. "I told that idiot not to follow us or I would blow him out of the water."

"He's a British captain. Why is he on a ship that is obviously not part of the British navy?"

"He came for us, Sasuke."

Sasuke turned to see Juugo standing stiffly behind him. "You think?"

"We did not leave in a way that would relieve him of his worry of us."

Kisame winced, recalling the situation in which they had taken both men from the British—Sasuke in irons and Juugo nearly so, his worry for Sasuke guiding his decision to join the crew. "Captain?"

"It changes nothing. One musket discharge and Jiraiya will start firing on them and they know it." Pein turned to Sasuke. "You're coming with us."

"Captain!"

"He's coming and that's final."

Kisame grabbed Itachi's bicep before he could argue any more. "We won't lose him. I'll kill Hatake before I let him take Sasuke from us."

Itachi clenched his jaw and gave a faint nod of agreement. His eyes never left the ship or the white haired captain standing at the helm. The sound of wood scraping wood alerted them that it was time. Grappling hooks attached to rope were tossed onto the other ship to pull it into place and tied off with expert skill. A fair number of crew stayed behind, manning guns and preparing to follow through with an attack should the life of their captain and his officers be threatened.

Using several carefully placed gangplanks, Pein, Kisame, Itachi, Sasuke, and several pre-selected crewmembers came aboard with weapons drawn. Itachi was as cautious as ever, taking in every aspect of the ship and its crew, looking for even the slightest weakness or sign of aggression. Kisame grinned and bounced the flat of his saber against his thigh while fingering the score of throwing daggers inserted in the sash over his chest.

"Sasuke!"

All eyes lifted to the man standing on the stairs leading from the helm of the ship. The patched eye gave him a roguish appearance, but the lines on his face and white hair caused him to look older look than his age.

"Captain Hatake." Sasuke nodded in his direction. "It's been a while."

"You had me worried, lad. Is Juugo with you?"

"He's on the Cloud," answered Pein sharply. "And, I'll ask the questions. Why are you invading our harbor?"

"I came to find my sons."

"Your sons?" Pein scoffed and lifted a pistol toward Hatake. "Try again."

"I'm no longer with the British Navy. Danzou had me dismissed after I lost my ship. He had always been looking for a reason to get rid of me and finally had his chance. After being taken down by the very pirates I was sent to destroy, it was not hard for them to take my commission from me."

Pein's eyes remained narrowed as he weighed the truth of the words. "And how did you find us?"

"It's not hard if you know where to look, and I'm very good at finding things I lose. I asked around about any foreign looking men on board a ship with black sails. Apparently after greasing the appropriate palm and chasing down numerous false leads, I was brought to this island."

"So it would seem. The question posed for us, is what to do with you now that you've found us."

Sasuke stiffened from where he stood beside Itachi. His face grew grim and his jaw began to jump, much like Itachi's did when he was angry or worried. Kisame frowned and folded his arms across his chest.

Pein tapped his fingers against the pole of the main mast. "And the ship you sail?"

"I'm not without my own family wealth. My father was a merchant of means and bought me a commission in the British Navy before he...passed on. I told you, I came for my sons."

"Your sons are fine where they are and not going anywhere."

Hatake shook his head and looked intently at Sasuke. "Come with me, lad. We'll become merchant sailors. My father's company has flourished in my absence. I think of both you and Juugo as my sons."

Sasuke swallowed visibly and glanced back to the ship where Juugo stood at the railing, looking on intently. "Kakashi..."

"Sasuke is not going anywhere."

All eyes shifted to Itachi as he stood, his pistol pointed directly at Kakashi. "My brother stays with me."

"You're risking your brother's life by forcing him into this world. The ocean is getting smaller and soon you'll all be caught and hanged for your crimes. That is the fate of a pirate."

"That is the fate of a stupid and greedy pirate," retorted Itachi.

"Aren't all pirates greedy?" shot back Kakashi.

Sasuke had finally had enough and stepped forward before Kisame could stop him. "Kakashi, I'll never forget what you did for Juugo and I. We would never have had as good a life if you had not been there, but my life is with my brother, even if it is my destiny to hang on the end of a rope, rotting for all to see,."

"That will never happen," whispered Itachi. "I won't let it happen."

"I don't care if it happens or not. I'm meant to be with my brother. My only goal for my entire life has been to be at my brother's side. I can't speak for Juugo, but I won't be leaving Itachi."

"Juugo won't be leaving either," growled Pein.

Kisame almost laughed out loud at the tone of Pein's voice. The man was completely smitten with that boy, Juugo, even if he did not know it. He had never pegged his captain as a lover of men, but he supposed given the right circumstances, it could happen to anyone.

"I can speak for myself." Juugo jumped onto the railing and used a loose line to swing across the small gap so that he landed on the deck not far from the others. "I am no longer of much use to Sasuke since he found his brother, but I like it here on the island. It's peaceful, unlike the cities that we stayed in while with the navy. I miss you, but I don't want to leave."

"Even if it means being a pirate?"

Juugo cocked his head for a moment. "I've been considering cultivating some land further inland. Most of the village is full of women and retired pirates. There aren't many who have more than a personal garden. Perhaps, I could stay ashore and grow things. Maybe have some livestock and be of service to those who remain on land."

"You're serious?" Kakashi shook his head. "You're practically made for the open seas."

"Only in body."

Kakashi lifted a hand to his brow and shook his head while laughing. "I can't believe this. I was certain you would be happy to be free of these people and yet you want to stay."

"I'm sorry, Captain," said Juugo regretfully.

"What happens now?" asked Kakashi, his face looking tired and weary. "Are you going to sink my ship and send me to Davy Jones?"

Pein began to pace. It was a side of him that was rarely seen. Indecision was not something he was known for, and his gaze darted back and forth between his two newest crewmembers and the interloper, Kakashi Hatake.

"Damn it."

"Can we risk him leaving and then possibly alerting the navy to this island?" asked Itachi.

"He wouldn't do that."

"Don't say that someone won't do something, because they will."

Sasuke shook his head. "Kakashi won't. You heard him, he thinks of us like sons."

"I'll leave," stated Kakashi. "All I ask is to be allowed to return and visit with my sons."

"We can't trust him," stated Itachi. "Not to mention his crew. Any one of them could turn us in for a bounty."

"My men can be trusted because I hand-picked them myself. They know betrayal means death."

Pein stopped pacing. "I can't make that decision for the island. Jiraiya brought us all together. It's his decision."

"Should we signal him then?"

Pein nodded. "Have him come in a boat. Leave the ship ready to fire if need be."

Kisame stood beside Itachi while Kakashi spoke quietly with Sasuke and Juugo. Juugo embraced him willingly, Sasuke only offering his hand. The Uchiha men were a bit reserved and Kakashi did not seem to take offense. When Jiraiya arrived, he was a bit out of breath from the climb up the side of the ship and very much looked his age. Even the feather on his hat was a bit wilted. He nodded silently as Pein explained the situation.

"You say you're a merchant?" asked Jiraiy,a after weighing Pein's words. "Would you be willing to go into business with me?"

Pein blinked at his fellow captain. "Jiraiya?"

Kakashi, however, looked oddly intrigued. "How so?"

Jiraiya laughed robustly. "Well, in our line of work, we sometimes have excess of goods we don't need such as fine cloth or jewels. It would be nice to have someone respectable to sell them too without having to worry about dealing with the Navy presence in many of the ports. You see our predicament."

"I do. You do realize it would put me in danger as well if I was known to be associating with you. I could very well hang, particularly so considering my previous knowledge of the His Majesty's Navy."

"It's a risk you would have to take; otherwise I'm going to sink your ship and you along with it. The people of this island rely on me to protect them. I can't risk that safety." He turned to Sasuke and Juugo. "I'm sorry, lads."

Kakashi considered the offer, his one visible eye narrowing in thought. "It doesn't sound like I have much of a choice."

"I've never been a cruel man, but I take care of what I consider my family and everyone on that island fits into that mold."

Sasuke glanced at Juugo and then Kakashi. His jaw was clenched, as were the hands at his side. Kisame ached at the look on his face. It was obvious that Sasuke really wanted Kakashi to take the offered bargain.

"Can I trust you not to betray me?" asked Kakashi finally after a long moment of silence.

"As long as you do not betray us, we will not betray you. That has always been my mantra when dealing with outsiders. Once given, my word is my bond."

"An honest pirate...I suppose there is a first for everything. Then, I suppose we should go ashore and see about finalizing what you would need of me since you are not the only one with family to care for."

Both Sasuke and Juugo released sighs of relief. Itachi turned to Pein as Kakashi and Jiraiya moved away to continue discussing the business agreement. "Is this wise?"

"You can trust Kakashi, nii-san."

"I don't trust him," said Itachi. "But, I do trust your judgment."

Kisame nodded in agreement. "As do I."

A slight flush spread across Sasuke's features. "Thank you."

"Trust is a sign of something more," said Itachi carefully. "It means something to have our trust."

Kisame brushed his hand across Sasuke's before moving to Itachi's side and placing his hand upon his shoulder. "Did you two see Pein when he spoke of Juugo?"

Itachi's lips quirked and he nodded. "It should be interesting to see how that develops. I think he would be good for Iris."

Sasuke shook his head. "I don't understand."

Kisame leaned forward so that his lips just barely brushed Sasuke's ear. "Once you know the Captain better, you'll understand. For now, you don't need to concentrate on anything but us."

"Us?" he breathed.

"The three of us."

Itachi's face softened and he lifted a hand to touch Sasuke's shoulder. "You're not alone any longer."

"It's been a long road, hasn't it, Itachi?"

"Immeasurably long, but we're together now."

Juugo, who had moved away, glanced to where Pein stood silently. "Thank you."

"What for?"

"For wanting me to stay. I like it here."

"I would do it for any member of the crew." With those words, Pein moved away to where Jiraiya and Kakashi were shaking hands, leaving Juugo to stare at his retreating back.

Kisame chuckled and shook his head. "You're right, Itachi. It will be interesting to see how they develop."

"I'm more interested in how we develop," he said in a hushed tone.

Kisame nodded in agreement. The excitement for them was just beginning. Sasuke still deferred more to Itachi and that was fine for now. He'd had his uncertainties about this odd relationship he and Sasuke had formed around Itachi, but decided it was not so bad. He had two for the price of one. What he and Sasuke possessed would grow with time, nurtured by what he and Itachi already shared. He was a patient man. He did not need everything now. Not knowing the future was what made it interesting, and a pirate's life was not anything if not interesting.

The End.

AN: The main story is finished...such a weight is lifted from my shoulders. It's hard to believe that this was intended to be a one shot but turned into 24 chapters, with two side story/interludes. -heaves a hug sigh-

Okay, so, the main story is finished now. I'm probably at some point going to do one final addition to the Neji/Shika part. If I do, it will be inserted into this document, but I am going to mark this story as finished until then. Very maybe, I might revisit a short story with Pein and Juugo and little Iris, but I'm not obligating myself to anything at this point. I'm just ecstatically happy that I was able to finish this.