Eri sighed as Madara parked his bike and turned off the engine. Though she really didn't like the idea of bugs in her apartment, it was very possible seeing how cheap the place was. She won't miss it one bit after she had moved out.

"Better get to Konan before someone sees your hickeys pet," Madara playfully reminded her. Blushing Eri quickly gave Madara the helmet and nodded.

"See you in class!" she said rushing off. Madara sighed.

"Not even a kiss goodbye…" he said looking at the sky, wishing so many things at once. Wishing he could publicly display his affections to his lover without someone taking her for a weakness, wishing that he wasn't plagued with a
disease that will rob him of his life at any given time. He just wanted to be with her as long as they both lived…

Konan was at the lockers, making out rather blatantly with Pein. Funny how two heavily-pierced people could still look cute together.

"Umm…" Eri began, not sure how to interrupt them. Konan's bright orange eyes caught Eri's blue ones, and she gave Pein a gentle nudge. The spiky-haired man frowned, then noticed the white-haired girl, and obliged.

"I'll be right back," Konan assured him, and he took the hint and left.

"Thank you." Eri smiled.

Konan nodded, her eyes scanning over Eri, then focused on the marks on her neck. "…Oh."

"Yeah, do you have something to cover this up with?"

"Of course. Give me a second to rummage through my locker."

Eri nodded and watched Konan dig through her locker for the makeup. She did her best to keep her jealousy hidden, Konan could just make out with her boyfriend at any time, while she had to wait until she was alone with Madara to do such a thing. She sighed again and just focused on the mind blowing sex they had that morning, no normal couple could have an exchange so intense, could they?

Konan turned to her and held up the cover up to see if Eri's skin tone matched it. "hmmm you're a bit lighter… but I can make it work," she said.

"Thank you you're a life-saver," Eri said relived.

Konan nodded and took the pad of makeup and began dabbing it over the hickeys. "Just don't touch them and they'll be fine." she said.

"Ok," Eri replied.

Once the hickeys were seamlessly covered Konan grinned. Eri sighed, now Konan would want the story. "So? How did sweet little Eri get so many hickeys in one day?" Konan teased

She blushed. "Well…"

Konan grinned mischievously. "I see, I see."

"You figured it out?" Eri blurted.

"Your expression already says a lot. That, and the fact that a certain black-haired man is standing close behind you, trying really hard to look nonchalant."

Instinctively Eri looked over her shoulder to see Madara leaning against the wall with his arms folded, conveniently listening to the conversation. "Uh…yeah."

Still the Uchiha refused to acknowledge Konan's words.

Konan shook her head, "Really you two should just go public about your little thing," she said winking.

"I told you why we can't," Eri sighed, it was almost a depressing sigh. Madara listened and felt the same way his lover did.

"I know, and don't worry, Pein still doesn't know," Konan replied.

"Thanks, oh but you'll be happy to know that I'm moving in with him," Eri mentioned under everyone's earshot but the blue haired woman's. Konan blinked then as it processed almost squealed hugging her friend.

"Oh good for you! It's about time you're so stubborn," Konan said messing Eri's hair a bit.

"The official story is I have an infestation in my apartment and need to stay at someone's house got it?" Eri said.

"Right," Konan nodded. "I'll leave you be now, just play safe you two you guys have your whole lives ahead of you," she smiled before closing her locker and walking in the direction Pein went off in.

Eri whirled around, meeting Madara's gaze. "Are going to go first or should I?" she asked when they were about to pass the threshold to the cafeteria where the students waited for the first bell.

The Uchiha smirked and held out his hand. "Ladies first," he said enigmatically.

Eri smiled, wishing to kiss Madara's cheek, but she didn't and simply walked through. "Thank you," she giggled.

"You are welcome," he replied following.

Soon the smile soon dropped from her face when she heard the news. Madara of course had to act surprised as well.

The rumors about Jun's death were already circling the school, and the shock was visible on most people. Some were frightened, others were confused, and a few rare ones were incredibly angry.

All were wary and emotional, except for Kusari.

The short brunette sat perched on a large wooden table, watching Sasori pass by. He was her height, so she easily reached out and snatched the cigarette he was about to light.

"Smoking is bad for you."

He arched a red brow. "And you care…why?"

"Smoking also affects people around you," she added, her grin turning malicious as she pointed at herself.

Sasori narrowed his pale eyes, unaffected by her threats. "You have five seconds to give that back."

She only smirked and twirled the cigarette in her fingers. "What will you do if I don't?" she asked.

He continued to stare at her, his eyes boring into hers. "Rip off your limbs, perhaps?"

"Do it," she dared him, standing up. She closed the distance between them and leaned into his ear. "Besides, how else am I going to get you to talk to me?"

Sasori allowed her to stay so close to him, only because he was interested in what she had to say.

"Last night…what'd you see?"

He grunted. "Insolent brat. I didn't see anything," he replied bluntly. "I did, however, hear a motorcycle stepping on the gas, followed by a loud bang."

"A motorcycle and a loud bang eh? Care to elaborate on that bang?" she asked.

"What do you mean?" Sasori asked.

"Gun bang? Metallic bang? Big bang?" she said playfully.

Sasori considered his answer carefully. "Metallic bang…like a pipe."

"A pipe to the head while travelling with the speed of a motorcycle…yeah, he was seriously fucking dead," she muttered, pulling away from Sasori.

"Who's dead?" Deidara interjected.

"Damn brat you are slow, Jun is dead, he was found on the fence at the parking lot," Sasori said making a swipe for his cigarette.

Kusari only smirked and yanked the drug out of reach, "Like I said this is bad for you."

"I told you what you wanted to know," Sasori growled.

Deidara stared at the overly happy brunette. "Shouldn't you be…depressed?"

She froze, meeting his blue gaze. Sasori took this opportunity to snatch the cigarette from between her fingers. "Moron," he mumbled before walking off, searching for his lighter.

"I don't grieve. You know that," she pointed out, feeling a little insulted.

Deidara blinked. "Oh, right…"

"Wow, you are a moron," she said.

"Pot calling the kettle black, princess." Deidara shrugged.

She narrowed her eyes. "Don't call me that."

He grinned, leaning into her. "You mean it doesn't make your knees weak when I call you that?" he taunted icily.

She took a step backwards, her heel slamming against the protruding leg of a chair. Deidara barely managed to catch her wrist, but held her suspended in the air. "Holy hell, blondie," she cursed, the adrenaline rush pumping through her veins. "Better start running before I get back on my feet."

He glared down at her, lips twisted in a bitter scowl. "Give me one good reason why I shouldn't let you go." Somehow, she had a feeling this wasn't about her falling to the ground anymore.

She stayed there frozen… Not exactly sure how to reply.

"Because you're Dara, and you're too nice to drop me?" she offered.

He laughed humorlessly. "I'm an asshole, as you've mentioned repeatedly in the past."

"…Because I haven't let you go, either?" That was hard to admit, and she instinctively squeezed her eyes shut when his grip on her wrist vanished. The impact never came, but an arm wrapped around her waist instead and steadied her. She looked up, and sky blue met ocean blue.

"Kusari…" he breathed.

She blinked, noticing how close she was to him. Taking a deep breath, which consisted mostly of his cologne, she said, "You smell nice."

He inwardly kicked himself. She was a mood killer. Sometimes he wondered what the hell he saw in her; she was the opposite of everything he liked in a girl.

Deidara sighed mentally and let go of Kusari. "Thanks…" he managed to say, not bothering to hide disappointment in his voice.

She arched a brow. "I ruined something again, didn't I?"

"Forget it," he replied.

She was ready to bang her head on the nearest table. "Daraaaa!" she whined.

He glared at her. "You know what your fucking problem is? You're oblivious to everything except the things you want to see." He held up his hand and whirled around. "So have fun in your own little world."

She was bewildered. "Damn it, you're complicated."

Deidara huffed, "That is exactly what I'm talking about," he said

-

"How is that possible?" Eri had asked.

Pein looked up. "We have no idea. Not yet, that is."

Madara nodded, crossing his arms and sitting down next to the spikey-haired man. Konan sat at his other side, looking as disgruntled as the rest of the school.

"What did you find?" the Uchiha asked, acting as though he hadn't seen the body.

Pein caught on. "He was placed against the fence, blunt force trauma to his head."

"Any idea who did it?" Eri asked taking a seat close to Madara.

"No one knows, his body was found hours after he was killed," Pein stated.

"No suspects?" Madara inquired

"None so far," Pein replied.

Eri uncomfortably sunk into her chair a bit more.

"There will be more," Pein informed. "So be prepared."

Madara sighed. "Whoever it is would be very unlucky to run into me."

Eri looked up at him, eyes wide. "I'd rather you don't run into the killer."

Pein glanced at her, eyes wary and alert.

She quickly expanded, "Because where else am I going to stay if you're dead?"

"Stay?" Pein questioned raising an eyebrow.

"Her apartment has a cockroach infestation, so I offered to let her stay at my place for a little while," Madara explained looking as nonchalant as possible. Pein looked at one then the other, sensing there might be more then they had let one. Then he smirked and leaned over talking so only Madara would hear.

"Did she offer you a little something in return?" he asked.

Madara looked at him with a slightly raised brow. Eri and Konan in the meantime had started their own conversation seeing as the men didn't want them listening in on theirs.

"You know… what's your end of the deal? Why be so charitable?" Pein whispered.

Madara shrugged. "She's an Akatsuki; it's only my duty to take care of those under my command."

Pein arched his brows, his forehead wrinkling. "You are never that kind."

"I have my moments," Madara retorted.

Pein wasn't convinced, of course. The Uchiha had a reputation, and Pein knew it quite well. Women didn't just stay at his house from the kindest of his heart.

"As I recall you don't want anyone to think you had a kind side… and you never have anyone stay over your house… Let's not mention you only have one bed," Pein smirked "You can just say you get to tap that ass whenever you feel like it."

The black-haired man had the sudden urge to punch Pein squarely in the face. "People change."

"People don't change; they simply learn how to lie better."

Admittedly, Pein was good. Nobody could really fool him. But on the other hand, Madara was firm in his resolve not to tell anyone. "That's your analogy. I have mine."

Pein watched Madara for a minute then gave a soft sigh. "Fine, have your analogy… But if you start changing because of your little house guest I will investigate…" he hissed.

"Is that a threat or a promise?" Madara asked unamused.

"More of a promise, we've worked hard on the Akatsuki and our goals. I have no need to remind you of that. But if I find out that she'll be a distraction for you, I'll pack her up myself and send her to live with another member. I'm sure anyone would love to keep her in their home," Pein warned, having always had a dislike for the snowy haired woman.

Madara's eyes glazed over with frost. "By another member, I'm assuming you mean Konan."

"No," Pein said. "Konan already lives with me."

If possible, the Uchiha's obsidian orbs became darker. "You toy with your lifespan, Pein."

The man with the god-complex laughed. "What lifespan?"

"The one whose privilege you are abusing," Madara growled.

"Again, why do you care so much for the girl? She is only a member, why do you care?" Pein asked. "The only reason I let her into our gang is because Konan whined about being the only girl in the group and she seemed to have taken a shine to the girl, then you come along and start taking a fancy to her like some of the others. She's poor, she has no relatives as far as we know, and she's probably only good for housework and a fuck. And yet here you are getting offended. She's just a nobody to me, so why is she so important to you?" he hissed. Pein knew he was getting Madara angry, he could sense anger fuming from the Uchiha. But he pressed on, he knew he could get Madara to accidently let the truth slip one way or another.

Madara almost reached out and strangled Pein. Almost. His hands twitched repeatedly. "You and I are different, and you can't expect me to hold the same ideals," he said through gritted teeth.

Pein grinned. Almost there, just a few more nerves to grate. "She's probably fucking ten others on the side, anyway. She's hot enough to get away with it, too."

"I highly doubt she acts like that," Madara managed to say through gritted teeth.

"How would you know? Hell maybe she's screwing the teachers to get her grades up. She could possibly be such a little slut. A guy says one or two sweet words and she's in a closet with them letting them fuck her like the little bitch she is. You know… she might be good at parties… throw that little hottie in with some beer and you have a whore the whole party can enjoy," Pein smirked, not knowing what he had described was dangerously close to the horrifying memory Eri had finally told Madara the previous night.

Last fucking nerve. Madara was very close to losing it, so he snatched Pein by his collar and looked him dead in the eyes. "You know, my patience with you is running out."

"You are transparent, Uchiha Madara."

"You are dead, Pein."

It was then that Madara's rising blood pressure must've gotten to him. He felt his body convulse, and an ache struck his chest as though dozens of needles invaded his flesh at once.

'Shit,' he thought. At that moment, Pein knew too.

Madara let go of Pein's collar as he gripped the edge of the table to keep himself from falling as the other hand gripped his aching chest. He tried deep breaths but only pained breathing slide through his lips.

Eri looked from Konan at Madara, then her eyes widened in panic seeing his distress. In a flash she was by his side touching his shoulder and trying to sooth him to see what was wrong. Fuck appearances, the man she loved was in pain.

Pein only watched, surprised at what he was witnessing.

A thin trail of blood seeped down from Madara's lips. He managed to keep the rest in his mouth, but needed to rush to the nearest sink. A fleeting touch of his fingers over Eri's arm was all he could manage to assure her he would be all right later. He stood up, and tried to be as nonchalant as possible as he withstood every ache his body forced upon him. Once in the empty bathroom, he bent over the sink and spat out a cup's worth of blood, mixed with his saliva.

Eri stood there waiting for Madara to return. Her heart cried that she should have followed him but his touch seemed to have begged her to stay, to let him hold his own… Panic, worry and confusion all mixed together in her expression. She finally managed to look at Pein. "What did you do to him…?" the tone in her voice betraying the fact that she was keeping tears from running down her face. Konan and the Akatsuki members that had seen their leader's fit looked at him as well.

Pein stared at Eri. "It's not like I stabbed him. He began coughing on his own," he answered.

Konan narrowed her eyes. "We need to talk."

Pein looked at a glaring Konan. Konan only motioned at Eri who had now taken a seat in Madara's chair. She had her face buried in her hands. There were no hints to indicate that she was crying, she was just worrying over her lover. Eri had seen the blood…

Konan grabbed the spikey-haired man by his hair and dragged him to the hallway where she gave him an earful of reprimands.

-

The bathroom hadn't been as empty as he'd thought, because Uchiha Itachi stood around the corner of a stall, his hands in his pockets and his equally obsidian eyes focused on Madara's shuddering body. Madara's chronic illness was a curse that a rare few Uchiha would be forced to carry if their genes happened to pass it on to their children. It skipped generations, but Madara had been unlucky, much like his brother Izuna.

Izuna and Madara were so close when Izuna was alive. But unfortunately Izuna was more vulnerable to the disease as it had taken him almost two years ago… Madara was devastated when Izuna passed away in his hospital bed… He went into a depression where he realized that he too could grow weak and die at any given time. Before Izuna died the brothers had purchased Madara's house together and were in the mist of moving in with the plans of partying like there was no tomorrow whenever they felt like it, doing what they pleased when they pleased… Their only requirement was to finish school… Something his brother hadn't lived long enough to do.

Madara had fallen deep into a depressive state, not one that he had shown in public… No, he kept it all to himself… He had even gone so far as to write a will and set money aside for his own funeral. He managed the Akatsuki and acted completely indifferent to everyone, didn't bother with any girls… Just waited for his time to come… He stayed like that until his white haired beauty entered his life by transferring into the school six months after Izuna's death.

Itachi approached the older Uchiha. From his pocket, he took out a bottle of medicine. "You may want to swallow one of these." Itachi somehow felt sympathy for Madara, seeing as he couldn't imagine losing Sasuke.

Madara gave a wry grin, his teeth bloody. "Should I say "thank you"?" he asked, "or should I expect to give you some sort of compensation?"

"No," Itachi answered quietly. He was kind—gentle, even. Madara envied the younger Uchiha's patience yet didn't want to be in his shoes. A lot of expectations weighed on Uchiha Itachi.

Seeing that Madara had the disease most of the Uchiha had written him off, thinking he wouldn't live long enough to do anything of value to their clan. Because of that Madara had cut ties with his family, but since Itachi is the next oldest in the current generation of the Uchihas all the pressure of living up to the family name came down on him. From needing a 4.0 GPA to getting into the best college, almost every aspect of Itachi's life the elders have tried to control. The only place they didn't have any control was when he was within the Akatsuki…

"I guess we couldn't escape each other in the end…" Madara said, taking a glass of water to rinse his mouth from the blood. He spat the remaining blood out, then checked himself in the mirror to make sure it was all gone.

"I'm not doing you any favours," Itachi pointed out. "However, as it stands, I'm the only family you've got."

"I'm aware," Madara answered. Counting Izuna, most Uchiha who had gotten the chronic disease already passed away. One of them was Obito. The only one left at this point was Madara, who had the ironic luck to still be alive, but bear the weight of his deceased loved one on his back. At least, for as much time he still had, he wanted to honour Izuna by living to the fullest.

With that in mind, he gave Itachi a final nod and left the bathroom, needing to return to his lover.

Madara walked into the cafeteria keeping an eye out in case he had made a scene. But thankfully it had gone unnoticed. He sighed relived then walked over to where Eri sat.

Eri sighed and looked up to see her beloved. "A-Are you alright?" she asked letting some fear and worry slip into her voice.

"I'm fine, where's Pein?" he asked bluntly.

Eri studied him for a minute then let out a sigh. "Konan… took him into the hallway…" she replied. She hated having to have a secret relationship right then… Madara was in pain and she couldn't do everything she can to comfort him. Right now she just wanted him to hold her and insist that he was alright, that she had imagined the blood. But of course he wouldn't do it out here. Giving him a final worried looked Eri turned to the table and buried her head in her arms to keep herself from sobbing. Why did it have to be so complicated?

Madara felt guilt stir in his gut, but forcefully brushed it aside as he pivoted and strode towards the hallway that led to the lockers. There he found Konan snarling at Pein, who seemed unaffected. Madara took a deep breath, then approached them.

"Konan, would you be a dear and leave us?"

The blue-haired woman hesitated, but gave a submissive nod when Pein shrugged.

Once the orange-eyed beauty was out of sight, Madara prepared a fist, which he buried squarely in Pein's jaw. The distinctive snaps of the impact echoed in the empty corridor. "That's all I have to say to you," the Uchiha scowled.

Pein grinned, wiping away the blood that formed at his lips after the inside of his cheek was forced between his teeth during the impact. "Understood. I have to ask, though. How long do you intend to keep up your charade of indifference?"

Madara blinked, he had not thought that far… When was he going to end the charade?

"Girl might get impatient with you if you don't," Pein said casually. Madara tossed a glare at him.

"You don't know her," he stated.

Pein shrugged. "I don't but… you know… girl they like affection and all that junk…"

Madara grinned a little too victoriously. "Are you degrading your own lover?"

Pein knew he was referring to Konan. "Don't go there."

"Alas, you started it," the Uchiha replied, shrugging his broad shoulders.

The blue-haired woman in question stood just outside the corridor, wondering if she should go comfort Eri or listen in on the conversation.

Pein sighed "Fine I described that poorly… It just well don't you want to put a claim on what's yours? I mean she is a hottie. I'm not interested in her myself but others are you know, mostly just for her body but hey what guy doesn't just go after a girl for a fuck these days?"

"What? she's not good enough for you?" Madara raised a brow at him, only in curiosity. He did have to agree with Pein on how many boys their age let their dick be the judge of their actions.

"No, not my type," Pein replied waving off the question.

"I see," Madara said. But he couldn't deny that it irritated him so much when men came over and hit on Eri right in front of him, his fingers would always twitch to strangle him as he was aching to do to Pein earlier, and the girls that swooned over him thinking he was single was a nuisance as well.

"Konan is more my type in the end," Pein admitted. "She's laidback."

Madara brushed away a strand of black hair which was hanging in front of his right eye. "Basically she can withstand all your crap and not throw a drink in your face and walk away," he snorted.

Pein narrowed his eyes, offended. "Your bold attempt at humour does not affect me."

The Uchiha shrugged. "I wasn't attempting to humour you. It's the truth. Eri fits me because she can stand up against my domineering nature; it's how every relationship needs to have a balance." He unintentionally smiled.

"In any case, I believe our conversation is over. You just admitted your relationship."

Madara caught himself. "Wait, what?"

Pein grinned. "Love makes two people blind, but the whole world can see it."

Madara glared at Pein, trying to cover up that he was embarrassed about such a slip up. Pein only grinned more, a grin of evil.

"You better keep quiet," Madara threatened.

Pein only chuckled to himself and shook his head crossing his arms. "I donno I may slip as you have… I bet her apartment isn't even infected is it?"

"What business is it of yours? Yes I admit it… I'm in a relationship with her. Happy?" Madara said getting annoyed.

"So you're moving in with her…" he mused.

Madara inhaled deeply, and then exhaled a frustrated sigh. "Are you done interrogating me?"

"I suppose we can save this for another day, as we both have more important things to do," Pein said, obviously referring to Madara's disease and the killing of students.

"That is true," Madara agreed. "I need to go back to Eri."

Pein nodded. "I need to get grabbed by my ear and dragged off by Konan," the spikey-haired man said with a bit of fear and self-deprecation.

"As you rightfully deserve," Madara expanded.

Pein rolled his eyes, "So says you…"

"Oh I do say so," Madara chuckled softly as he walked back to the cafeteria.

Pein sighed as Konan saw Madara walking away and in turn walked back over to him.

Konan placed a hand on her narrow hip. "What am I going to do with you?"

"Hopefully stay with me," Pein answered.

The blue-haired girl sighed. "That's inevitable, isn't it?" She gave him a slight smile. "I've always been with you. Why change that now?"

"There is no reason to is there?" Pein smirked only to be graced with a whack to the head. Letting out a whine of pain he held his head and glared at Konan.

"I love you, but sometimes you are such an ass," Konan explained.

Madara had walked past Konan only concentrated on returning to his lover, he walked over to the table and found her in the same position as he had left her. Arms crossed on the table and her head buried in them. He sighed softly and gently touched her shoulder. "Eri?"

Eri looked at him. Her eyes were dry and her face showed no signs of shedding any tears, but her eyes… they expressed so much worry and fear…

Eri reached up and took his hand, holding it against her cheek for an infinitesimal moment. "You scared me."

Madara nodded. "I apologize, love. You saw the worst side of me today."

Eri looked at him for a bit looking like she was debating on something. She then looked down a bit. "Please tell me… that I imagined blood trickling out of your mouth…" she whispered worried to say it out loud.

Madara blinked looking at her. She had seen it. But should he tell her? He bit his lip a bit. "I got so mad at Pein I accidently bit my cheek… It was nothing to worry about it's gone now…" he lied. Eri watched him them sighed relieved.

"Thank god…" she said brushing her lips against his hand in the softest of kisses, but he was still able to feel the love and devotion she had for him. He smiled.

He felt bad for lying, but knew it was best. He didn't want to put that much weight on her, and he had an inkling of fear that she might be less willing to be with him if she knew he was dying. After all, it would affect her greatly. But was it selfish on his part? He didn't want her to leave him. She was the only person who ever dared to get so far into his heart, and he couldn't risk losing that.

Not to his disease, and not to anyone.

"It's fine," he assured. "Want to walk to class together?" he asked, his smile widening to a grin.

"Sure," Eri smiled softly. Moving his hand from her cheek he offered it to her. Eri took it and stood. Madara debating on letting go of her hand, should he just screw trying to keep this covered? Pein might see the need to hold knowing their secret over his head. Before he could decide Eri had let go of his hand. "Come on," she said walking ahead. Madara watched her and sighed mentally before following. Why was his life so complicated?