Night Seeker, Game Day

. . . . . . . . . .

The shaded forest allowed the creatures that scampered across the unlit landscape to rest easy. The moonlight from above the canopy treetops acted as a search light, searching for animals that were still awake, lost travelers… or even souls that lost their way. The light from above soon penetrated through the windows of the Akatsuki hideout, causing several members to stir in their slumber.

. . . .

I slept peacefully with the moonlight shining over my tranquil figure. I sensed someone enter the room, though I knew who it was due to their chakra nature and pattern. I felt the blanket move just a tad, feeling a hand gently gliding across my bare neck, sending shivers down my spine. My resting place bounced up when the shinobi laid down beside me, one of his arms snaking around my waist. I turned over, only to see a pair of shaded eyes staring at me… His eyes filled with compassion, mystery, and now… love. I positioned my trembling hand on his cheek, rubbing it contently… his eyes only watched me, saying calming things to me without speaking… This was the affect the Uchiha's eyes had on my soul. Sometimes the Uchiha would enter my room in the middle of the night and come beside me on the bed; we would stare at each other for what appeared to be an eternity.

I smiled, gazing into his eyes. "Hey Itachi," I whispered, not wanting to disturb the other members.

He smiled, pulling me a little closer… with my hands resting against his chest. "The moonlight is not irksome to you?"

I breathed, watching as his forehead lay against mine, his warm breath hitting my complexion. "It never is. It brings back memories when my dad and I would sit on the roof and gaze at the stars."

Itachi was silent, my one hand slowly traveled to the back of his throat. Our eyes watched one another for a while, and then he leaned in ever so slowly, which caused me to lean in just a tad. I felt this warm, soft tingling sensation brush over my lips… allowing me to close my eyes in pure bliss, though my eyes began to open when his hand seized one of mine, our fingers intertwining in perfect harmony. Though the want for love and affection was soon shattered by the breath of wind forcing us to separate, both of us panting… gazing at each other.

A wave of slumber washed over me, sending me into a most wanted sleep in the Uchiha's arms… He too, fell into the same fate as me.

. . . .

When I woke up that morning, Itachi was not in the room… Though, his headband was sitting on my pillow. I seized his headband, glancing over it as if it were a weapon. I slipped out of my bed and stalked towards the door, once I opened it… there was a thud heard from behind it, and a loud crash. Once I peered out to see what happened, all I found were Deidara and Itachi sitting on the floor, both of them rubbing their heads. I slipped the headband into my pocket, before running out of my bedroom to assist the fallen members. When I held out my hands, both of them grabbed onto one… pulling themselves up, once the two of them were standing before me, I breathed.

"I'm really sorry,"

To my surprise, the two boys embraced me, I could tell that Deidara was glaring at Itachi; I embraced them both in return.

Deidara smiled, leaning back to stare at me. "Its fine Sayuri," He said under his breath, rubbing the back of my head. Itachi, in response, glared at the blonde. I rubbed the Uchiha's back ever so calmly, sensing his eyes soften as he sighed.

The two Akatsuki members released me, before the three of us walked through the hallway together.

. . . .

After breakfast was finally done and the dishes were cleaned and put away, I motioned for everyone to follow me outside. I watched as the other members formed a circle, standing beside one another.

"What the fuck are we outside for, bitch?" Hidan yelled, before Kakuzu pushed him under the water.

I smiled, "Thank you, Kakuzu!"

Hidan soon emerged from the water, glaring at his partner… before turning to me in pure rage. "What the fuck, Sayuri!"

I glared at the Jashin praiser, though my eyes softened. "We are going to see how well we know each other."

"Sounds like a pussy game, bitch!"

"Enough Hidan," Pein ordered.

"Thank you again, Leader-Sama."

Pein turned towards me and nodded his head in reply.

Tobi raised his hand, "What game are we playing Sayuri-chan!"

I smiled, "Here are the rules… Someone says a question about themselves. Like, 'What's my favorite color?' or something like that. If you get it right, you're safe… if you get it wrong, you shall be dunked into the water by the person next to you."

My eyes settled on the Puppet Master. "Sasori, I suggest you have a full-body shield activated."

The red-head nodded and then activated the shield.

I sighed, "Do you guys want me to start?"

All of them nodded in reply.

I smiled, "Okay!" I began to contemplate the question choices that flooded through my eighteen year old skull. I snapped my fingers once I got the question.

"How many favorite colors do I have?"

Tobi shouted, "Four!" Before Deidara dunked him into the water below!

Itachi's eyes fell on me, "Six,"

I smiled, "Correct." As I talked, Tobi emerged from the water.

I heard Deidara sigh, and then I pointed at Sasori. "You go next,"

"Who was my partner before Deidara?"

Mine and Itachi's hands went up at the same time.

Sasori pointed at me.

"Snake Eyes,"

"Actual name, not the nickname you gave him."

"Orochimaru," Itachi answered.

Sasori smiled, "Good, and Sayuri… You're safe."

I could see the expressions on both of Pein and Konan's faces, disappointment. Both of them wanted to dunk me!

Sasori scanned around the circle, "Any takers,"

. . . .

It was early in the afternoon when the game was over, everyone was at least dunked once… or more. The towels I left out earlier were missing; all of them were gone… leaving me outside, alone with my thoughts.

I climbed up a tree and sat on a branch for a few minutes, gazing at the beautiful mid-day sunset. The branch moved a bit, telling me that someone else was on it… When I turned to see who it was, only the hand interlocking with mine told me who the person was.

I smiled, gazing into the Uchiha's eyes. "Hey Itachi,"

"Are you alright, Sayuri?"

I breathed, "Yeah," As I answered his question, I pulled his headband out of my pocket.

"You left this in my room this morning,"

I watched as his hand feel over the object. "I was wondering where I left it,"

I smiled, feeling his arm snaking around my waist, pulling me closer to him. "I love you, Itachi." I whispered into his ear, relishing in the warmth his body emitted.

"I love you too, Sayuri." He whispered in reply, bringing me into a gentle embrace.

"Sayuri-Chan," Tobi screamed, running over to the tree I was sitting on.

I groaned at the sound of Tobi's voice calling out at me. The masked child stared up at me and Itachi, obviously in his "Thinking Phase".

I breathed, "What do you want, Tobi?" I asked, truly annoyed.

"Tobi wants to play another game!"

I thought for a moment. "How about 'I Spy'?"

Tobi smiled under his tangerine mask. "Okay!"

My head fell onto Itachi's shoulder. "You go first."

Tobi looked around until he found something in the distance.

"Tobi spies with his little eye, a person wearing glasses walking over here!"