„Are you sleeping Itachi?" – Astrid thought that she was too long in shower so she went out, wrapped only in towel.

„Come here, little one." – he noticed that she was unusually quiet.

Something was wrong.
She sat beside him leaning her head on his shoulder and started to cry. He didn't say anything, just rubbing gently her waist and playing with her hair. There were those days when she was just sad without reason and he never asked her why. Their relationship was deep and needed no words.

„Come, lay here. I'll make you tea." – he spoke after long silence. He was about to get up when she caught his sleeve.

„Please stay, Itachi." – she practically begged.

„Are you hurt? Scared? Can I help you?" – he was deeply worried. For some reason, he couldn't read her emotions like he usually could.

„I'm scared. I don't know why, but if you hold me tight, maybe I'll fall asleep and forget about that feeling." – she was frank with him.

„Then come."- He laid first, covering himself with cozy blanket. Rain was still pouring, whole day was just sad and they thought about the promise they gave to Sasuke.

Her whole body was shaking and she couldn't calm herself. Itachi felt her body so close to his so he pulled her in tight hug.

„I won't let you go so you don't have to worry. Whatever happens, I will always be here, beside you. You know that." – he whispered.

„We've been through a lot together, aren't we?" – she smiled, remembering the day when they first met.

It was summer in Konoha. The news was spreading over about famous Uchiha prodigy, Itachi Uchiha. You could hear blabbering and muttering about seven year old child graduating from academy.

Five years old Astrid was sitting in her house, playing with dolls and horses. She didn't care about some genius child because that kind of children served as example and her parents would always compare her to others.

They were never satisfied with her, even at her best. So she gave up on pleasing them.

It was beautiful day and her parents were on mission, so she decided to get some fresh air. Just as she was about to get out, she remembered the words from her mother.

„You are strictly forbbiden to leave house until we return. Do you understand that?"

„Yes, mom.."

„And don't answer me! Just go and play with your toys. Your father is a good man, he is trying to please you, buying you all this trash.. So behave or else!" – Astrid decided to say nothing, because that will turn up in bigger mess.

So she was now watching through the window, while envied the other children.

„Hello, little girl. Why are you alone here? Come out and play!" – she heard voice, probably boy's.

„Show yourself!" – she grabbed the toy kunai, pretending to be shinobi, like her mother.

„I will, just spare me, please."
He finally show himself. It was rather suprising, seeing this raven haired boy on her balcony. He was her age, maybe year or two older with wide grin on his face.

„I am Uzumaki Astrid. Nice to meet you." – she bowed, something that mother had taught her.

„You don't have to bow. We are friends, right? I am Itachi. Uchiha Itachi. Nice to meet you, Astrid-san!" – he smiled once again.

Her reaction was neutral. Totally neutral.

„You're right... I never told you, but you won me with that cold attitude. Whenever I wanted to make friendship, everyone was just scared because I was prodigy. But you never looked at me that way. For you, I was good-mannered boy who save you on that hot, summer day. I never really said it, but thank you."

He kissed her head, still holding her tightly.

„You showed me freedom that day, so we're even." – she whispered.

„Where are your parents?" – Itachi asked, looking around the huge, overly cleaned apartment.

„On mission. Why?"

„Do you have any friends?"

„No."

„Why?"

„My parents don't want for anyone to spoil me. I'm locked in this apartment 24 hours a day. Sometimes they're good so they take me for a walk. But one or twice in two months." – He looked at her calm expression, completely stunned.

„Do you feel alone when you have to be locked in this cage?" – he asked.

„Sometimes I feel alone, and sometimes I cry, but only when I'm alone. That's why I like to be alone. When I'm with them, I don't cry. Shinobis are not supposed to show any emotions. So sometimes I'm afraid that I will lose them completely. It's weird feeling, you know."

„I can take you for a walk, if you want. Then you can cry your soul out. Is that allright with you?"

„My parents will kill me. So no. I don't want to get in trouble."

„I'll fix that, so don't worry. Well, what do you say?" – he reached his hand, waiting for her to grab it. For some reason, she wasn't scared. She felt that she could completely trust him. That was the beginning of their lives.

„My parents were really angry that day. If you parents haven't showed up, they would kill me. For real." – she smiled, remembering the good old times.

„But it was adventure, you have to admit."
„Yup, you showed me the world."

Itachi's room was filled with that beautiful silence which both of them cherished. Like the words weren't needed. They were looking at each other and both of them felt appreciation mixed with deep, unreserved love.

„Astrid..."

„What?"

„Promise me that you won't die if I die." – he said out of nothing.

„I'm afraid I can't. I'm sorry." – she said seriously. They often talk about that and that was the only matter they couldn't agree on, no matter how hard both of them tried.

„Soon I'll have to do something that will maybe tear us apart. It will test our bond. So I want you to be strong and carry on. I can't tell you more than that, I'm sorry. I feel awful because I know I shouldn't hide anything but it's part of the mission. I'm sorry, Astrid." – he get up, leaving the room.

Astrid felt broken. Indeed, there weren't any secrets between the two of them. He knew he could trust her, and opposite. On the other side, she didn't want to hear. If he decided not to tell her, then she will respect that.

Itachi heard Astrid's footsteps, fearing the worst.

„Itachi.. You don't have to tell me if you don't want to. I'm not mad and I'm not angry. Just do whatever you have to do. I will promise you one thing but I want you to look me in the eyes because it's a promise I'll never break."

Itachi turned around, looking at her eyes seriously. She cupped his cheeks, leaning close to him. He could feel her sweet breath on his lips.

„I will never let you down. I will never let you go. If you go to hell, I'll go with you. If you die, I will die too. Because we are one soul divided in two bodies. If you want to tell me, that's fine. But if you don't want to tell me, that's fine too. So don't worry and do what you have to do. I will wait for you forever, if I have to."

He cried his soul out that day, together with her. Maybe they knew that it was last night that they felt this calm and relaxed.

„Astrid.. I don't want to live without you. If you want to stay with me after this night, then wait for me in our place. I will come in 9 'o clock. If I don't found you there, I'll go and you won't be able to find me anymore. Just take your time and decide."

„You stupid idiot... I don't have to think about that. 9 'o clock, our place? Sure, I'll be there. Now I have to go, my mother will be back soon. Or do you want me to stay?" – she said, getting out of his hug.

„No, I want you to be somewhere safe. You wouldn't want to see, I promise you."

„Allright. Itachi, I still don't know what is this that you have to do, but whatever it is, it's right decision. You were always smartass and I don't have to worry. Just hold on. Tomorrow we'll see each other again. Bye" – she kissed him deeply, feeling his tears on her cheek. He fought that battle inside of him, and for the first time in her life, she felt helpless. She didn't knew if it was right decision; to leave him alone when he was obviously in pain.