I woke up early the next morning and did my usual routine of showering, getting dressed, and brushing my teeth. Then I helped Ayame with her morning routine, she was awake by the time I finished. I was getting really excited to use the new sword that I couldn't contain my smile, before going to bed I had to show it off to Ayame.

"Let's go eat," I said.

"How am I going to make it to the…" she started to ask.

"Piggy back," I interrupted her.

I bent down with my arms extended behind me so she could crawl on my back. I bent down so Ayame could opened every door that was in our way as I carried her to the dining room. She pulled out a chair so I could carefully place her in it.

"Man, that's not as easy as it used to be," I stood rubbing my shoulders "So, what do you want to eat?"

"Toast with butter and jam, one slice," she asked.

I walked into the adjoining kitchen to make her breakfast as I waited for the toast to pop I grabbed an apple to eat. Since the kitchen was next to the dining room I wasn't worried about something happening to her but I didn't like it being a closed off kitchen so I couldn't see if something was wrong.

"Good morning Ayame," I heard Sasori say "How are you feeling this morning?"

"Better," Ayame responded.

"That's good to hear."

Ayame's toast popped so I turned to butter it, as I did arms wrapped around my waist pulling me closer to their chest and nuzzled my neck. I froze gripping the knife in my hand tighter not sure who it was. I put the toast down about to stab the person when they finally spoke.

"Good morning Kaya," he whispered in my ear.

I recognized the voice as Itachi's. My heart pounded hard against my chest as I reached for the jam to continue making Ayame's breakfast. I had to force myself to breath, his presence alone was hard to handle after that kiss he gave me yesterday. I couldn't stop thinking about it, but I did wonder if he meant it or if it was a way for me to lower my guard so he can get to Ayame.

"I was thinking about you last night," he kissed my neck smirking "Next time we won't be interrupted."

His hands went down to my thighs and started to push up my skirt as he brought his hand up my body and rested on my waist. His words and actions indicate he doesn't want Ayame at all but I couldn't be sure. My mouth went dry and my heart speed up with his promise for another night. Itachi left the kitchen, I stood there trying to gather my composure before heading back to Ayame. I grabbed an apple and the toast and went back to the dining room.

"Here you are Ayame, sorry if it's a little cold," I handed her the toast "Good morning Sasori."

"Good morning Kaya, you're in a good mood," he commented.

"I have a mission today," I smiled at him, and then turned to my friend "I don't really want to leave you but I'll still give you a choice. Are you going to stay here or do I have to carry you along?"

"I'll come, I can watch your back," she said encouragingly.

"Morning," Itachi walked into the dining room as if we never met in the kitchen first.

Ayame looked terrified as Itachi reached his hand toward her cheek but I grabbed his hand in an instant. I refused to let him touch her. Her fear put me on the defensive despite what he can do to my body.

"Don't," my voice went from cherry to icy "Touch her and die Uchiha."

He smirked leaning toward me whispering seductively in my ear "Jealous?"

I let go of his hand to cup his chin. Leaning in closer our lips brushed as I spoke. If he wanted to tease me then two could play at this teasing game, and I hate to lose.

"You wish," I whispered back teasingly.

I let him go, he smirked walking to a chair on the other side of the table, as I stood there Ayame was looking at me curiously. Just then Deidara walked in breaking the silent tension in the room. I know Ayame is going to start drilling me with questions the moment we were alone, a moment I dreaded.

"Good morning Ayame, Kaya, un," he said cheerfully.

Deidara put an arm around my waist pulling me in closer to kiss my cheek. I saw Itachi glaring at him so I smiled and kissed Deidara back on the lips. The spark that went through me surprised me more than Ayame's giggle. I couldn't tell if Itachi's kiss was better than Deidara's, one had my heart pumping and the other sent sparks through me.

"Morning," my voice was back to cheerful.

"Kaya," Pein walked into the dining room "Your mission today is with Itachi and Deidara."

I couldn't help the groan that escaped my lips "Great."

"Is something wrong?" he asked.

"Shouldn't Sasori be with Deidara?" I asked trying to cover up my real reason "I thought they were partners."

"Good point, then Itachi, Deidara and Sasori will join you on your mission. You remember what it is?"

"I have to kill a camp full of ninja who are on the road to the base prepared to kill," I explained calmly "But why does Itachi have to come?"

"He will be evaluating your strength in action. Do you have a problem with it?"

"Not like I'm going to tell you about it," I hissed rolling my eyes.

Immediately after my breakfast, I went back to my room to pick up my sword then returned to the dining room to pick up Ayame. I placed her on my back then all five of us went outside. Deidara offered to create his birds but Itachi told him it would draw too much attention since we weren't going too far. I jumped up into the trees with the guys and off we went jumping from branch to branch like a squirrel. I felt Ayame tighten her grip on my shoulders afraid to fall off. It took a couple of hours to reach the camp, I left Ayame in the tree out of harm's way as I jumped down to the camp.

The ninja were distracted by me for a moment, typical men, until I attacked the one closest to me. A strike across the chest and he was down for good. The other ninja in the camp rushed to get their gear to fight back, I changed the sword into the whip to cut them off at the knees. Out of the corner of my eye I saw Itachi and Deidara watching me as I fought, they could help I was out numbered.

Sasori was the first one to move, he used his puppet strings to hold them in place for me. Not all of them stayed in the camp, a few thought it was a good idea to run. I was not happy I had to go after them. Thankfully Deidara stopped them by blowing up some trees in their path, causing them to back track right to me. It took an hour to finish off these ninja, some of them stronger than others and gave me an actual challenge but most were weak and I was disappointed.

I looked up into the tree to see Ayame smiling at me. At least she didn't get hurt, I joined her up there. She used the tree to stand on her own then hugged me tightly. Ayame has never seen me fight before, sure I've gotten into a few brawls on her behalf but I've never had to kill anyone until now. It didn't faze me as I looked back at the camp to see all the dead ninja.