Chapter 4

After a few months of getting used to living with the Akatsuki, Suri has made best friends and maybe an enemy rival or two. It seems that only yesterday she joined, showed off, and was fully accepted in. But that was really back in March and today was May 23rd, her birthday. She is 19 now, four years older than when she first met Itachi. I wonder if anyone has any surprise for me since I told them that my birthday when I fist came in, thought Suri.

Kisame, her best friend besides Deidara, came up to her and said to her,"You know with you going on missions with me Itachi has been useful. With your genjutsu Itachi doesn't need to use his sharingan. You do know about it, don't you?" "Yeah. He told me about it accidentally the day I first came here."

Kisame asked her,"And are you worried about him?" She didn't want to admit it, but she was worried about Itachi a whole lot ever since he told her about the Mangekyo Sharingan. She stayed silent. Kisame told her to always have Itachi's back, to help him out even though he may not need it. She nodded her head and Kisame went to do whatever.

As the day progressed everyone gave her a happy birthday and let her go on her way. Deidara was growing so attached to her he decided to throw a little party for her. Hidan, the Jashinist, said,"Yeah! She'll really have a time." He then tried to convince Kakuzu to go buy a cake or a gift. "No! I'm not wasting money on just a little thing like a birthday."

Deidara then said to him,"Come on. It only comes once a year." Kakuzu sighed and then asked,"What does she like?" Deidara smirked and said,"She likes books, the..." he blushed a little,"romance kind of thing." Kakuzu then knew what he was talking about and went to go get one. Dei blew out a sigh of relief.

Tobi came along and asked,"Sempai, can I go distract Suri while you make the party?" Deidara then said,"Yeah go on, un. But don't keep her for too long." Tobi ran to get Suri out of the lair so the party could be prepared. While everyone got a cake, drinks, and other stuff Itachi stood in a corner, thinking about her. What gift from me would be perfect for her, he thought.

Suri and Tobi walked around outside, through the forest, and by the river. They sat by the bank and Tobi asked her,"Why is Suri-chan in the Akatsuki?" Suri hesitated but then said,"Because I made a promise to Itachi that I would join if I got myself to be strong enough. And I just couldn't break that promise." Tobi shook his head in understanding. It was getting dark and time to go back to the lair.

As they walked to the Akatsuki, Tobi stayed ahead to make Suri wait for just a few seconds before entering. Tobi turned and told Suri to close her eyes as he opened the door. He led her inside, shut the door and told her to open her eyes. She opened them and was surrounded in darkness. "What is the meaning of this?"

As she switched on the light everyone jumped out and yelled,"Surprise!" Suri gasped as she saw a cake, a small present wrapped, and sake, soda, and juices, everything else that completes a party. They ate the cake, watched her open her present. She was surprised at what she got. It was a romance novel.

She smirked at asked,"Who got this for me?" Kakuzu said he did and Deidara interrupted by saying that he suggested it. She giggled because she had the attention tonight, considering she wasn't the only girl in the Akatsuki. They played games, suggested by Tobi of course. Before the party was over she asked if anyone would like to watch a movie before bed. Everyone agreed and sat on the big red couch.

They watched a sci-fi movie. Suri sat next to Itachi, laying her head on his shoulder. Itachi looked at Suri, wanting to kiss her. He wanted to kiss her when she first came into the organization. No, he wanted to kiss her the first time they met in the forest.

He did give her a kiss that night so many ago, but it was an uncontrollable urge. He wanted to kiss her with meaning, something that both would remember, and to help him say that he loved her. Resisting to bring her lips to his, he kissed the top of her head, her silk and ocean smelling dark brown hair on his lips intoxicating. He laid his head on top of hers, watching the movie. He then knew what present to give her tonight.