Behind the Scenes (Part 2)

Here's a sequel to this mad idea as a celebration of Itachi's birthday today.

=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-

“Do you really want to do this?” Kisame asked, hoping his partner to change his mind if he repeated the question multiple time. 

Itachi shot him a look, the same annoyed look as before. A look that said that nothing could change his mind. 

At least, Kisame thought that was what the look said. For all he knew, the look could be Itachi's way of telling Kisame that he was close to death at the younger ninja's hand. 

“But this is...” Kisame struggled for the right words. “This isn't the sort of place for us. We stand out even without the Akatsuki cloaks.”

Itachi turned away from him to look straight ahead. 

Kisame hunched down with a sigh, wishing he was shorter so he wouldn't tower over everyone in the slow moving line. The youngsters, most of them female, fidgeted in the line with an impatient energy that made Kisame antsy. 

He had to stop himself multiple times from drawing Sameheda out of pure frustration at the sheer grating noise levels from the others in line. 

He didn't doubt if he did something outrageous, Itachi would make him pay. He'd probably make Kisame watch that accursed movie again. 

Even though he knew that the line was moving, Kisame was still surprised when they reached the front in less than half an hour. He was even more surprised when the actor from the movie straightened with recognition. 

“Itachi!” the actor said from behind the signing table, his bright green eyes wide. “You watched the movie?”

Itachi nodded with a solemn expression and held out a movie poster that he had acquired before getting into line. 

With a pained groan, the actor covered his face for a moment. “Crap. Really, Itachi?”

Itachi shot him a pointed look. 

“You could at least use words,” the actor said with a put upon expression. “What do you want me to write on this?”

Itachi shrugged. 

The actor narrowed his eyes. “Just for that, I'm going to put someone else's name on this.”

Kisame snorted. “Write Tobi.”

Itachi turned to him with a menacing glare, complete with a flash of red eyes.

Glancing between Itachi and Kisame, the actor smirked, not even batting an eyelid at Kisame's less than human appearance. “You know what, I think I will. Tobi sounds like a nice name to write.”

Kisame had to give the youngster points for being willing to taunt the Uchiha.

“Harii,” Itachi said with a stern tone. 

“What?” Harii, the actor said with a devious smile even though he signed the poster with the correct name. 

“Are you making a sequel?” Itachi asked.

“I hope not,” Harii crinkled his nose and groused, “No one said I'd have to do all this. I was just trying to stop Makino from bothering Naruto so much.”

Kisame startled at the name for an instant before relaxing. There was no way the actor was talking about their Jinchurichi target, especially since he knew Itachi. “Don't like being a movie star?”

“I didn't really think the movie would be so... famous,” Harii said. “The story doesn't even make sense. And my character is ridiculous.”

Kisame nodded. “Terrible dialogue.”

“I had to do multiple takes because I always messed up my lines. Worst part of the entire thing was redoing those dramatics when all that fake blood was seeping through my outfit.” Harii shuddered as though reliving those memories. 

Kisame chuckled but stopped himself and chanced a glance at Itachi.

Itachi, who wasn't angry at the actor for dissing the dialogue like Kisame had done before, placed another poster in front of Harii. “You should make a sequel.”

“Why?” Harii said, flinching back and looking completely disgusted by the mere idea.

“A story like that needs to be expanded upon,” Itachi said. 

Harii looked unconvinced. “The only way I'll do a sequel is if my character is unable to speak.”

“What if you get a love interest in the story?” Kisame asked with unbidden amusement. 

Harii rolled his eyes. “Have you seen my character? No one would fall in love with such an idiot.”

“Then maybe your sequel can be a comedy,” Kisame suggested. 

“Not if Makino gets on his ridiculous inspiration binges. Then I'll probably be stuck with an even more dramatic storyline. Thankfully he's used up all of his inspiration with this one. He was even talking about retirement.”

Itachi frowned, and Kisame idly wondered if the Uchiha was planning on inspiring this 'Makino' to make the sequel a very real thing. 

Harii pushed back the signed items to Itachi. “Is that all?”

Itachi nodded. 

“You look much better than a last time I saw you,” Harii said with sincerity in his voice. Then he turned to Kisame and said, “Sorry you got dragged here for this.”

Kisame shrugged, sheepish that the young actor had gotten such a good read of him in a few minutes. “Better than doing nothing.”

“Look, if there's ever a next time, don't wait in line,” Harii said with a look that said he really hoped there wouldn't ever be a next time. “Let's just meet as normal people.”

Minutes later, as they walked out of the village with their Akatsuki cloaks back on, Kisame said, “He's not bad for an actor. Very... approachable.”

Itachi glanced at him. “They're replaying the movie in the theatre.”

Kisame sighed with clear resignation. “Fine. It's not like there's anything else to do today.”

=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-

Kisame, no. You've fallen into Itachi's trap. You're becoming... a fan.

If I ever continue this, I'm going to turn it into a crack plot where Harry achieves world peace with his sequel. 

Polar