When they returned Ayame to the village, she was filled with joy, "Itachi! Kisame! Look! Look! That's him! The boy i like!" she pointed at him from the top of a roof looking down at the village.
Kisame laughed, "Isn't that your nephew Itachi? The world is a strange place, isn't it?" he laughed
"..."
"Isn't he the cutest boy ever?"
Kisame snorted, "Stupid brat. How old are you? Eleven? You don't know shit. What do you know about love?"
It didn't faze Ayame. She kept her eyes on Yoichi, "I can ask you the same thing."
Kisame's eyes widened, "W-What'd you say to me little brat?! I'll kill you!"
Ayame giggled, "Kill me all you want! But that won't change the truth. I bet you're still a virgin."
"You want to die?! Itachi. Tell her to stop or the next think we'll know is that we'll be burying her body deep in the ground."
"I know i'm young, but i plan on losing my virginity soon. Isn't it a little embarrassing to know i'll be more experienced than you?" then she burst into her giggles again, "Maybe i can give you a few pointers. You can even call me onee-chan."
"Alright little brat! Draw your damn weapons! We're fighting!"
"I bet my Yoichi is a good kisser." said Ayame.
"Who says he even likes you in return?"
That fazed her, "What?"
"I bet you cling to him like a parasite."
"T-That's mean!" argued Ayame.
Kisame chuckled, "Well," he started leaning down towards her so they were at eye level, "You'd better turn up your feminine charm. It looks like he's starting to lose interest in you."
"Huh?"
He grabbed her face and spun her around to look at Yoichi talking to another girl, "You see?"
"Oh no...Itachi. What should i do?"
"Why are you asking him? He doesn't know anything about romance."
Tears welled up in Ayame's eyes, "But you don't either!" she cried.
"What?! Little brat! I swear i'll kill you!"
"Return to him Ayame. And then make your way home. I'll return for you tomorrow." said Itachi.
She sniffed, "Tomorrow? For a mission?"
"Not yet. I have to stay near you."
"Oh. Does that mean you'll be near me at all times?" she asked
"Yes. That's what i was ordered to do."
"Oh."
"Here." he said wrapping a little silver bracelet with a glittery crow charm attached to it, "I'll come for you." he told her.
"Okay..." she said, then they both vanished, with Itachi watching over her nearby.
Ayame jumped down the roof and ran over to Yoichi and the girl, "Y-Yoichi!" she panted.
"Ayame?" he called out in the blinding sunset, then, he ran over to her, "Ayame!" he shouted, then grabbed her by her arms, "What the hell?! What's wrong with you?! Where the hell have you been?!"
She pushed him away, "Shut up! You're so mean! I'm gone for just a few hours and i catch you cheating on me!"
Yoichi stepped back in surprise, "Huh? W-What are you talking about?"
Ayame pointed at the girl with brown hair, "Who is she?! And why are you looking at other girls?! Aren't i good enough for you?!" she yelled at him, then, she turned to the girl, "Why are you after my Yoichi? Go away! I don't know who you are, but you can't have him! I like him! But...um...i'm still working on his feelings for me..." she mumbled looking down.
"Y-You idiot! That's one of the neighbor's kids! And he's a boy!" Yoichi shouted at her.
"...Huh?"
The boy laughed awkwardly, "So...you're Ayame? You and Yoichi seem to have a lot to talk about, so i'm going to go." he said walking away and turning the corner.
Yoichi stormed her, "You stupid girl."
Ayame stepped back away from his fury until she hit a wall, "Yoichi...wait..."
He slammed his hands on both sides of her head, trapping her underneath him, "Where the hell have you been? You better answer me now or i'm never going to forgive you for this."
Fear took over her body now, "I'm sorry Yoichi. I didn't mean to-"
"Stop giving me excuses and tell me where you've been."
"I...I fell asleep on top of a tree on the outskirts of the village." she lied, and cringed at her dishonesty to him.
"What?"
"I'm sorry. I was just so tired. Mama and Daddy wouldn't stop fighting at my house and i couldn't sleep. I didn't mean to scare you. I'm sorry. Please don't be angry."
"..."
"Are you mad at me?"
Yoichi's body suddenly slouched forward and he leaned on Ayame, "No. I'm not angry. I was so scared. I thought something bad happened to you."
Ayame's face flushed, "D-Don't get on top of me like this if you're not going to do anything to me. You're leading me on."
"Shut up. I thought i was going to die today."
"Huh?"
"I looked for you everywhere and couldn't find you. I've never been so scared in my life. I couldn't stop thinking about you."
Ayame's eyes widened, then she smiled and wrapped her arms around him, "Don't worry Yoichi. No matter what happens to me, i will always find a way to return to you. You're the only boy i love after all. I'll always come back to you."
Yoichi chuckled, "That actually makes me feel a little better."
"Will you do something to me today?"
"Tch. Stupid girl." he said slowly pulling away, "Is that all you think about? Why would i make a move on you right now? I'm still recovering from the scare you gave me today."
"It's all i want from you. It's all I've ever wanted." she said looking deep into his eyes.
He looked into her eyes, and then his eyes wandered to her lips. He got closer, and almost did something to her. Almost. But he stopped himself. He couldn't bring himself to do it. Not in his reckless state of mind.
"I'll do something all right." he said grabbing her wrist, and dragging her with him, "I'm taking you home."
"But i want to stay with you longer."
"No."
"You don't want to stay with me?"
"That's not what i said."
"Why are you grabbing my wrist and not holding my hand instead?"
"You don't deserve to hold hands with me. And i can't control myself around you right now. Not with you throwing yourself at me."
"But-"
"Shut up."
After a few minutes of silent walking, Ayame looked down at the ground, "Yoichi."
"What do you want?"
"...I love you."
Yoichi stopped in front of her house and turned to look at her, "W-What? What are you saying now?" he asked, his cheeks reddening.
Ayame giggled as she looked up at him, "Just being around you makes me happy. I love it when you give me attention and look only at me. Even if it's when you're scolding me, like right now. Just having you touch me and being near me makes my heart beat quicker. I always want to feel like this when i'm with you."
"I-Idiot." he said letting go of her wrist, "I hate it when you say these things out of the blue." he said, his entire face red, "It makes me feel like you're giving me a surprise attack. I swear you're trying to kill me today."
Ayame, who was also slightly blushing, stepped closer to him, "Being near you makes me so happy. Sometimes i think about how it would feel if you held me."
Yoichi looked away, "Damn it. You're stupid after all."
"Do you feel the same way? Do you ever look at me and think i'm pretty? Are there ever times when you want to hold me?"
"..."
"You were even so worried about me."
"Isn't it normal to be worried in that situation? You were gone for hours."
"But it'd make me happy to know you were worried about me because you love me."
"Why would i tell you something like that anyway? You don't deserve anything after scaring the hell out of me today. I'm leaving."
"Wait." blurted Ayame grabbing on to his sleeve.
Yoichi stopped, "...What? I need to get away from you."
Ayame bit her lip, "Are you...interested in anyone?"
"Stop."
"But-"
"I-I'm not answering your stupid questions. I'm leaving. You better not scare me again. Or...or...i'll stop walking with you in the mornings." he grumbled and snatched his sleeve back to walk away.
She didn't stop him this time, instead, she smiled shyly at him, "Goodnight Yoichi. I'll see you tomorrow." she said opening her front door, suddenly feeling lightheaded, and very tired.
"Itachi?" she called out quietly in her empty room.
No answer.
Ayame frowned and was about to try to contact him through her necklace, but sensed a presence behind her. She turned around, and there he was. Standing on the other side of her room, watching her.
"Itachi!" she cheered running to him, "Did you see me?"
"...Yes."
"Did i do a good job?" she asked excitedly.
He reached over, and gently patted her head, "You did well, Ayame."
Ayame grabbed on to him, "Can you stay with me?"
"No."
"Please?"
"...Why?"
"I want to know more about what you want me to do for you."
"You're lying."
Ayame bit her lip as he continued, "I know the truth. You don't want to be left alone. You don't want me to leave because i am the proof that you're life is no longer as empty as it once was. That's the reason you've gotten attached to me now. I've saved you from your black and white world, and you fear that once i've disappeared, your feelings of being hollow and empty will return."
"Itachi...I don't-"
"...It seems you won't be alone for the night. Your friend has returned."
"Huh?"
"Ayame! Yoichi is here! Naruto and i are going to go shopping for dinner with Sasuke and Hinata. Mind the house please! Be good!" shouted Sakura from downstairs.
"I'll give you some privacy." said Itachi.
Ayame blushed, but then she turned around and hugged him, "You're the coolest friend I've ever had. You're right. I'm afraid. But i was never afraid before. Being scared now means i have something to lose. And i didn't have that before. So thank you. Thank you."
Itachi froze at her hug, but didn't back away, "Open your door. Call to the crows if you ever need me." he said pulling her away to point at her bracelet, then he vanished into the night.
"Ayame." called Yoichi from the other side of the door.
When she opened the door, Yoichi didn't step inside, "You took my bag by mistake."
"Huh? You mean you're not here to see me?"
"Why would i? Hurry up. I want to get out of her as soon as possible."
"No. I want you to stay and talk to me."
"No. You scared me today."
"...I'm sorry." she mumbled, "But..." she said blushing, "Every time you say that, you make my heart race. It makes me happy to know that you care about me."
"Shut up and give me my damn bag."
"It makes me fall in love with you more and more." she giggled.
"Enough."
Her smile faded away as a realization hit her, "...But...you might not feel the same way." she said, then she turned around so he wouldn't see her face, "I'll get your bag."
Then, suddenly, Yoichi wrapped his arms around her from behind, "Damn it. I can't stop anymore."
"Y-Yoichi?"
"I'm...I'm so glad you're okay. I'm still a little panicked from earlier."
"Yoichi. You're..."
"I told you to shut up."
Heat rushed to her face, "I...I want you to do something to me."
"W-What? T-That's not why i'm hugging you for stupid!"
Ayame was blushing, but she leaned back on him, pressing their bodies closer together, "I want you." she whispered grabbing his hand around her, and sliding it up her waist to touch her breast.
"Ayame-"
She turned around to look at him, still holding on to his hand, "This is what i want." she whispered to him.
Yoichi snatched his hand back, throwing himself backwards on her bed, "Ow..." he complained rubbing the back of his skull.
Ayame wasted no time, and quickly straddled him, "I want you. This is how i want you." she whispered slowly sliding her hands from his thighs to up his shirt.
"Ayame." whispered Yoichi, grabbing her wrists, "Stop it. You don't know what you're saying. We're two years apart. I'm fifteen. You're thirteen."
Although he was still resisting, he was beginning to weaken, "Just a little over a year apart. I'll be fourteen in two weeks."
"Not the point."
"You don't want me?"
"...That's not the problem."
Ayame leaned forward and pulled his hand to touch her waist under her shirt, "Then why fight me?"
"Damn it Ayame...I...didn't come here for this."
Ayame leaned down and pressed her lips against his. She kissed him, as she kept his hand on her chest, and her other hand under his shirt. He tried to push her away at first, but then he surrendered to her. He gripped her waist, and pulled her closer. He kissed her more and more as he slid from her lips, down to her neck.
Pinning her down on her bed, he looked deep into her starry teal eyes, "I love you." he said as he reached down and touched her cheek, "I've always loved you."
Ayame's eyes widened in surprise, "Yoichi...I..."
"I can't believe you weren't sure of that. I've loved you for so long."
"Yoichi..." she didn't know what else to say, but to continue to call out his name.
"Don't ever ask me if i'm interested in someone else again." he said sliding his free hand slowly up her thigh, "I'm going to make sure you never ask me if i love you again."
"W-Wait."
"Shut up. I've waited long enough."
But before anything else could happen, Ayame suddenly saw a bright light.
"Nngh..." Ayame opened her eyes, her vision blurry.
"Ayame? You're awake?"
She sat up, and was surprised when Yoichi wrapped his arms around her suddenly, "Idiot. You're really trying to kill me, aren't you?" he sighed heavily, "First you disappear, then you faint. You need to stop making me panic."
"Yoichi...? Where...am i?"
He gently unwrapped his arms around her and pulled away slowly, "In the hospital."
"Hospital?" she asked, then she remembered her dream, and burst out laughing.
"Why is that funny?"
"I don't know. I just remembered had a dream that you finally did something to me. And i was really happy."
"That's why you kept saying my name in your sleep?"
"Ahaha! I did?" she giggled, "Maybe you can do it for real some time! I'd let you do whatever you want to me, you know."
"Well keep dreaming. I'm not making any moves on you. Especially now since bad things keep happening to you."
Ayame pouted playfully, "That's makes me sad."
"But are you okay?"
"Huh?"
"Right when i turned around to go home, you fainted getting inside your house."
" I did? I don't know why that happened. Were you worried?"
"Don't be stupid. Of course i was."
Ayame giggled and threw her arms around him, "My dream might come true after all!" she cheered.
"..."
Ayame looked at him, puzzled, "Hmm? Yoichi, are you okay? You're not pushing me away."
"I've been so worried about you. I feel like you've made me age by ten years. If i go bald, you better give me some of your hair."
She laughed, "I'll still love you even if you look like an old man."
"I'm just glad you're okay."
Ayame smiled, "In that case, will you kiss me as a reward for being okay?"
"What?" he finally leaned away from her, "I can't do that."
A pout took over her face, "Why not?"
"...For a lot of different reasons."
"You don't like another girl, do you?"
"Damn it. Not this again. You're such a pain."
Suddenly, Ayame noticed a crow watching them from the window, "Why, hello there Mr. Crow!" she cheered walking over to it.
"That crow's been there for a while."
Ayame knew who it was. It was Itachi, watching her. Had he been worried about her? Has he been watching over her in the time she's been unconscious?
"Were you worried about me Mr. Crow?" she asked, "Don't you worry! I'm okay! In fact, i think i might go play outside soon!"
"Ayame!"
Ayame turned around and was embraced tightly by her father and mother, "Daddy? Mama?"
"We're sorry. We're so sorry." said Naruto hugging her tighter.
Naruto was hugging her so tightly, she tried not to yelp out in pain, "Daddy...you're hurting me."
Sakura was in tears, "Ayame please forgive us. We did something awful to you, didn't we?" she asked pulling away, "We're so sorry. We've been cruel."
Naruto pulled away too, "The doctors told us that you collapsed due to high stress. And we realized why."
Sakura held Naruto's hand, "Hearing us fight hurt you. And you were so close by too. We said awful things to each other, and you heard it all. If we'd been more careful you wouldn't be here. You wouldn't have collapsed due to high stress."
Ayame blinked confusingly, "That's what the doctors said?"
Sakura caressed her cheek, "Yes honey. We've realized that our fighting was the only thing to blame. We...we don't have any excuse. You've been such a good girl." Tears welled up in her eyes, "You're always such a good girl."
"Don't worry Ayame." said Naruto, "We won't ever put you through that again. In fact, Sakura won't be fighting anymore. We got a good offer. You'll be entering Heaven's Gold Gate."
Ayame frowned in confusion, "What's that?"
"We can talk about that later. Just focus on resting. Please."
Ayame giggled and saluted her parents, "You got it Mama! Daddy!"
They both smiled and kissed both her cheeks at the same time, causing Ayame to giggle uncontrollably, "Daddy! Mama! That tickles!"
But as much as Ayame yearned for her parents, they left her room in a hurry due to a mission, leaving only Yoichi behind, "My parents stopped fighting too."
"Did you get the same offer?"
"Yeah. But i'm not enrolled yet due to overcrowding."
"I wish you could go with me."
"I'll still walk you there. You should rest. I'll come back in a few hours."
Ayame laughed, feeling the power and confidence she's been yearning for years now, "Just stay at home. I won't be here by the time you come back."
"Huh?"
Ayame licked her lips, and yanked the blankets and tubes off her, then stood up on her hospital bed, "I've got somewhere else to be." she said hopping off and cheerfully walking towards the window.
Yoichi grabbed her wrist, "Wait. What do you mean? What are you talking about? You can't. You're sick and you're still recovering."
Ayame smiled mysteriously and pulled herself closer to him, "Are you finally making a move on me? In that case, i'd be more than happy to stay."
"Get serious. You're in no condition to go anywhere."
"Don't worry about me! I'll go straight home after i roam around!"
Yoichi gripped her wrist even tighter, "How can you tell me not to worry when in the past 24 hours, you vanished, then fainted, then developed a fever? You're crazy if you think you can tell me not to worry at this point."
She touched her forehead, "I have a fever?"
"Yes stupid. A high one."
Ayame laughed, "I wonder where that came from."
"What's wrong with you?! You just woke up in a hospital and you want to go out? Where the hell are you planning on going?"
"It's not to see another boy if that's what you're worried about!"
Yoichi glared at her angrily and determined, "I'm not letting you leave this hospital room."
Ayame pressed her bracelet against her thigh, sending Itachi a signal, "Come on Yoichi, don't be mean. I'm just going to see my friends. Are you jealous?"
"What friends?"
"That's mean!"
"You're not going anywhere except back to bed." he demanded.
The crow's eyes glowed a dull red, and Ayame smiled victoriously, "Make me." she told him.
Right when she finished her sentence, a violent swarm of crows shot into the hosptial room from her window behind her. They all avoided her, and all spun around Yoichi, forcing him to let go of her wrist, and breaking her free from his grasp.
"W-What the hell?!" he shouted.
A satisfying smile spread across her lips as she watched the chaos, "No matter how much i love you, i won't let you chain me down."
"Ayame!"
"See you!" she cheered happily before she jumped backwards out the window.
She was falling to towards the ground from the eight story window, when Itachi caught her, "You are reckless." he told her.
"Ita-"
They vanished to the roof of the hospital, "You've been unconscious for fifteen hours." he told her,
"Ah! I'm so sorry! But i suddenly fainted and i had no control over it."
"I don't need an explanation. It was all controlled by us. Your fever, your enrollment into Heaven's Gold Gate. You don't need to worry anymore."
"Oh..." she breathed, "So, it was you guys who made me faint? How did you do that? That's amazing!"
"Your enrollment in Heaven's Gold Gate needs to be elaborated." he said gently setting her down.
"I'm all ears!" she cheered happily, "Oh! And thank you for saving me! Yoichi gets worried easily."
"...Heaven's Gold Gate is a cover up. It isn't real. The Akatsuki invented it long ago. We'll use it to train you, and give you an alibi. In order to prevent suspicion, Yoichi received the same offer, but has been put on a waiting list due to overcrowding. The school promises the guardians that the children enrolled do not go on missions, or go on simple ones. That will satisfy Naruto for the time being."
"Okay."
"Now, i must tell you about your first mission."
"Itachi?" she asked looking up at him.
"What is it?"
Ayame smiled, suddenly feeling warm inside, "You look good under the moon and stars. Even under the sunlight, you're very handsome. If i wasn't in love with Yoichi, i'd definitely fall in love with you."
"..."
"I bet you were popular with girls when you were younger. Did you have a girlfriend?"
"No."
Ayame couldn't stop smiling up at him, "I bet you were popular though."
"..."
"You're also very mysterious. Will you tell me something about you?"
"..."
"Something others don't know?"
Itachi looked up at the moon, and stayed silent for a long time until he finally spoke, "...I miss my younger brother." he suddenly said, catching Ayame off guard.
Ayame suddenly felt a wave of sadness wash over her, "You mean Sasuke?"
"He's suffered for what I've done."
"..."
"But i can't return to him. There's much i still need to do."
A smile spread across Ayame's face, "...I knew you were kind, but i didn't realize you were so gentle. Please don't look so sad. Sasuke will forgive you. I'm sure once he knows the truth some day, he will even be angry for you."
"..."
"Since you told me that about yourself, i'll tell you something about me." she said looking out into the moon and stars, "When i was younger, i used to be able to hear the voice of a boy. I didn't know him, but i know that he was important to me. Once Daddy found out i had different chakara in me, he...he sealed off my powers, and i was never able to hear the boy again. He disappeared from me. Oh!" she gasped, and then looked up at Itachi, "Can i tell you a secret?"
"You don't have to tell me if you don't want to."
"I want to."
"Then go ahead. I will listen."
Ayame smiled mysteriously, "I can talk to my other father. I have another secret to tell you, but i'm going to wait until later." she giggled.
Itachi stopped, "I see." he said, then looked away, "Are you after anything? What is it you want? Or hope to achieve?"
She looked up at the stars, "I dunno. After all, all i care about is using my abilities and having Yoichi love me. That makes me a really easy target. But you won't take advantage of me. So i can tell you anything from now on! Right?"
"Yes."
"Will you tell me whenever you feel sad? Or troubled?"
"..."
Ayame felt warm inside and reached over to touch his hands, "I'm afraid to be thrown back into Daddy's protective bubble. But with you, i'm not scared. I've felt so much better about myself since i met you. You're so kind. I've never had a friend like you before. And i'm happy. You make me happy."
"...Why have you clung on to me so tightly? You've put so much faith in me. A little girl like you can lead herself into a tragic fate if you aren't careful."
Looking at his hand in hers, she looked up into his eyes, "I can see beyond your eyes."
Itachi frowned at her, not understanding, "What do you mean by that?"
Ayame pulled his hand up, and closed her eyes as she felt the warmth of his fingers on her cheek, "Your heart is as warm as your hands are. That's why i can trust you completely."
Itachi frowned deeper, not pulling his hand away from her as she held his hand against her face, "Why is that? What will you get out of all this?"
Ayame smiled, "You. That's all I've wanted for so long. Just a friend. Someone like you."
Her easy smile under the moonlight did something to him. This girl was pure in a dangerous way. Her anger, her happiness, her sadness. She expressed all her emotions with her word and actions. So childish, immature, innocent, and mysterious. And all she yearns for is freedom from her suffocation. Freedom from the over protection of her father. Without realizing it, Naruto has done something cruel to her. Forcing his daughter to watch time slip through her fingers, and allow her talents to increase only to feel as if they where withering away into nothing. Leaving her feeling nothing but emptiness. Isolating her. Denying a part of her. Leaving her to become nothing but an echo in her own body. Itachi felt a small amount of sympathy to the girl, and the loneliness she's endured.
Itachi gently pulled his hand from her cheek, up to her head, "We are friends now. If you ever need me, all you have to do, is call my name." he told her.
Ayame looked up at him, mystified, "You got it."
"We need to discuss our first mission together. It involves the Village Hidden in the Sand and a seventeen year old boy. Your brother. The boy in your head. We're going after the child of Shukaku."