Electricity

Chapter One

It was strange. He couldn't understand it. And he didn't like not understanding things. Ever since he had laid eyes on her, he couldn't get her out of his head. He groaned and dragged his fingers through his hair in annoyance. Why her? Of all the female ninjas in the Akatsuki HQ, why her? And of all females, it had to be one who thought his brother was adorable. 'A cute Chibi' were her exact words. Cute?! The time when Sasuke became cute he'd kill himself. He growled and flung himself onto his bed, setting about repainting his chipped nails.

"Itachi-kun!"

No… He thought to himself. Anyone but her, I won't be able to control myself much longer… He turned around, and it was her.

"Kairi-chan." He acknowledged her presence, hoping she'd leave him be, but she decided to tag along beside him. They walked along in silence for a while before he couldn't stand it any longer.

"What the fuck do you want Kairi?"

"Leader-sama wants to talk to you." She replied cheerfully. He glared at her, his eyes narrowing to slits, but the glares just bounced off her as she strode beside him.

"And you didn't tell me before because…"

"…It's fun to annoy you." She finished, laughing at the barely controlled irritation on his face. Her forehead protector glinted in the light as she flicked her hair over her shoulder. The symbol of the Hidden Village of Mist clearly visible, even in the dim light.

"Come Itachi-kun. You know how impatient he gets when he's kept waiting."

Itachi grunted in reply, following her towards his rooms, trying to restrain his eyes from trailing any lower than her shoulders.

"You are going on a mission. Both of you."

Two identically blank faces glared back at him.

"Anything to say?"

"No." The replies came simultaneously.

"Good. You leave in two hours. Go pack. Dismissed."

Itachi waited until they were out of earshot of the room.

"How much did you influence his decision to put the two of us together?"

Kairi shot him a glare, her eyes changing colour briefly.

"I didn't. I knew nothing of it til he told us back there."

Itachi snorted.

"Of course. You better not annoy me. I've got to put up with you the entire mission."

Beside him he heard her splutter in rage.

"Me, annoy you? You, Uchiha Itachi? The one who lords himself over everyone else as he is the Sharingan user and one of the two remaining members of the Uchiha clan? Oh no. You better keep your eyes and words to yourself. My temper and patience with males has its limits." She turned and strode off to her rooms to gather her things.

She is extraordinarily beautiful when she's angry. Itachi thought, and made a mental note to piss her off more often. Not that he needed an excuse to. He smirked to himself. He did that easily. He opened the door to his room, grabbed his backpack and started gathering his things.

"Hurry up." She snapped irritably.

"I'm walking." He said calmly "What more do you want?"

"You to keep up." Came the sharp reply.

"I am." He smirked. She glared at him, red momentarily bleeding into ice blue.

"The Sharingan really doesn't suit you." Itachi sighed.

"I'm not the only one."

"I've always wondered how you can use it when you're not a Uchiha."

She turned to face him head on, glaring at his usual blank expression. He watched her calmly, as ice blue ices scrutinised him.

"There's a lot of intriguing things about me she said before she turned on her heel and strode on. Itachi rolled his eyes.

"We're not going to get far if you insist on despising me."

"I don't." Came the curt answer. He quirked an eyebrow.

"You had me fooled."

She said nothing, walking on, but he saw her tense slightly. His eyes narrowed slightly, but he continued walking.

There's something she's not letting on. Itachi watched her closely, letting his thoughts ponder over her strange actions. She's never been this hostile and, withdrawn. I'll just have to keep an eye out for her. She'll probably let her mind wander. He sighed quietly, adjusted his backpack and lengthened his stride to keep up with her swift pace. Glancing at the lengthening shadows and fading light he noted the sun was setting.

"Let's find a place to camp." He said, putting on a burst of speed to walk alongside her. She nodded in reply, and glanced around.

"There's a stream to your left. There's a clearing a little way beyond it."

Itachi nodded his, once again wondering how she knew these things. He turned into the trees, crossed the stream and found the clearing she had spoken of.

"Fire or tent?" He questioned smoothly, dumping his pack on the ground.

"Tent." She replied, following suit. Itachi grunted.

"Which means I have to find wood."

She grinned at him, her sour mood momentarily forgotten.

"Hai. Off you go."

Itachi rolled his eyes, heading off to find enough wood for the night.

He wandered aimlessly, clearing his mind and thinking,

How to get it out of her? He pondered, amused by his line of thoughts. I think of nothing else these days. Just her. Kairi, Kairi, Kairi. He stopped in his walking and leant against a tree, considering it. He absently twisted Shu on his finger, watching as the red gem caught the light. How long he stood there watching his ring catch the light, he didn't know, but one thought flitted through his mind. Wood. With a slight scowl, before his usual blank expression took over, he headed off to find some dead wood.

Where the heck is he? She had long since assembled the tent and the temperature was starting to drop. She wrapped her cloak around her and decided to sulk and he wasn't going to bring her out of it. She heard him approaching and pulled her knees to her chin, wrapping her arms around them, scowling. He said nothing as he built and lit the fire, then sat beside her.

"Why?"

Kairi hadn't expected the question and shot him an inquisitive look, once again forgetting her bad mood. He was staring into the heart of the fire, the light reflected by scarlet eyes.

"Why what?"

He didn't look at her.

"Why did you join Akatsuki?"

"I had no choice really. I wasn't accepted in Kiri what about you?"

He shrugged.

"Boredom. I needed something to challenge me."

"Does it?"

"On occasions."

They returned to silence, staring at the fire.

"Do you miss it?"

"Miss what?" Itachi sighed.

"Konoha."

"Hn."

"Yes 'hn' or no 'hn?"

"Yes."

"Uhuh."

Silence again.

"Did you have anyone special in Mist?"

"Talkative tonight." Kairi smirked at the now glaring Uchiha.

"Answer the damn question."

"Anyone special in Kiri? No. My father was very picky about who was brought into our bloodline."

Itachi shot her a curious glance.

"Which clan are you from then?"

Kairi looked him straight in the eyes before answering.

"The Uchiha clan."