Heavy footsteps echoed in the hallway. Shizune startled, squeezing Ton-Ton tighter. The clinking sound of a metal hilt being gripped, then the thud of a heavy object hitting the floor caused Tsunade to tilt her head slightly. Samehada purred in anticipation. 'I think you should leave, Lady Tsunade. '

Her green glowing hand never wavered, never moved from the teen's head. 'He's dying, Hoshigake Kisame. It's slow, might take years, but it will kill him. I'm not sure how partners work in the Akatsuki, but if you care about him at all, you'll let me set back the clock. '

The silence in the hallway was deafening as Kisame weighed his options. On one hand, Itachi was sick. He needed healing, and there was no better healer than Senju Tsunade. On the other hand, this was a woman loyal to Konoha. Would she turn on him? Would she do something that would kill him later? Either way, Kisame would be taking a leap of faith. 'Why would you help him? '