Lest you fade here all alone

Chapter 4: Tag, you're it!

Rei watched the kid double up with laughter, his fury abating into a frustrated irritation. He was glad to see Uchiha unharmed, albeit a bit strung up – who wouldn't be in such a place? – but it still didn't answer his question. "I'm happy to see you in high spirit," he said as the raven's guffaw calmed down, "but why are you in such a place?"

Shisui offered a sheepish smile as he finally pulled himself up from the floor to stand in front of the blond. "Erm, no offense, Rei-san," he started, rubbing the back of his neck awkwardly. "I don't think I can tell you the real reason."

That earned a thoroughly unimpressed stare. "Really?" A smirk crept across Rei's face and the teen narrowed his eyes, having a very bad feeling about it. "Well then. I'm just gonna break you out of the jail and be done with it."

Before young Uchiha could fully process his words, the older man's hand clamped onto his shoulder and suddenly they were somewhere else.

The warm breeze ruffled Shisui's hair, bringing a salty taste of the ocean with it. Through the darkness came the rhythmic pounding of the waves from its unseen shoreline. Millions of bright stars dotted on the black canvas of night with the full moon shining down onto the surrounding looming ruins. The wide and tranquil river curved gently through what seemed like a destroyed grand village, stars and the moonlight reflected on its surface, glimmering with silver sparkles, like a thousand glowing diamonds. On one side, the silhouettes of majestic mountains stood silently in the background.

Rei observed as the kid's face scrolled from surprised to incredulous, to downright horrified. He tilted his head to the side, scrutinizing his expression. It intrigued him – an Uchiha who could openly display such a vast array of emotions.

"Where the hell are we?!" Shisui demanded, rounding on the blond after familiarizing himself with a new environment.

"Uzushio."

"Uzushio?" The teen's face washed blank with confusion, like his brain cogs couldn't turn fast enough to take in the information. After a few moments, the onyx eyes widened. "Whirlpool country? Are you serious?"

"Yep."

Shisui's Sharingan flared to life, red irises gleaming furiously in the dimness of the night, and he hissed, "Bring me back!"

Rei met the gaze of those accursed eyes evenly, not fazed by the outburst in a slightest. "Even if you could win against me, you're miles and miles and miles away from Konoha. At the very least, it would take weeks for you to get back on your own," he stated before grinning viciously. "If you can cross the ocean, that is. This country is called Whirlpool for a reason."

Shisui studied the man for a while. "Why do you care so much about me?" he asked carefully.

The blond hummed faintly, his gaze shifting to looks at the other side of the river. "My best friend was an Uchiha," he confessed softly, a flicker of grief crossing his face. "We had our ups and downs, but in the end, he took a lethal hit in my stead."

The breeze moved gently over his skin and he closed his eyes, recalling that night at the bonfire after another hopeless and despairing battle, after the death of another team Seven members, leaving only the last two survivors. It was Sasuke who started talking unprompted and Naruto just listened as his best friend shared his most precious memories from his childhood; memories that included his big brother with fond mentions of Itachi's friend, another Uchiha. The one who was standing in front of him right now, still alive.

Rei was determined to keep it that way.

"Do I remind you of him?" Shisui inquired when he couldn't stand the prolonged silence anymore.