The three traveled in silence. Obito Uchiha dropped Uchiha Itachi and Kisame near Amegakure, then vanished. As Kisame looked at the dark, damp village, tension rose in him. It was nothing like the fear he had felt when facing Lord Yin with his life on the line. This was the inexplicable nervousness of knowing he was about to begin something difficult.
Itachi sensed it too. In a rare attempt to comfort him, he said, "Don't worry. I'm sure we won't have to keep this up for long." Without waiting for Kisame's response, he headed into the village.
Kisame's unease eased a little, and he followed Itachi inside. He had plenty of questions, but he had no idea what awaited them in the village and did not dare speak carelessly. He remained guarded the whole way.
As they walked in, they happened upon Orochimaru and Deidara returning from a mission. Orochimaru studied Kisame with a smile. "Is this the new partner you found?"
Itachi nodded. "I just brought him back from Kirigakure. He nearly died at Uchiha Yin's hands." Itachi was recounting what had happened, but he also meant to tell Orochimaru, without saying it outright, that Kisame would be one of their companions from now on.
Even if Orochimaru had missed Itachi's meaning before, he understood now. There was no way anyone could have taken Kisame away from under Lord Uchiha Yin's nose unless he had willingly let them go. That alone proved Kisame was one of them.
Orochimaru chuckled. "Then we're all working for the same person now." Kisame listened in confusion. He could tell there was more to their words, but he had no idea what they meant. All he could do was nod along.
Even Deidara understood, for once. The pity in his gaze only confused Kisame