A/N: Heya guys, thanks for all the reviews you're all AWESOMEEE! I'm glad you guys liked the last chapter; I wasn't sure how you guys would like the interaction between Itachi and Gajeel (not that there was much, there will be more). Also, Kakashi/Gajeel fans, hes not in this one but he will be next chapter.

I suggest everyone does the poll:

Kakashi: 3

Itachi: 2


It was silent the whole time they were looking for Tsukari and Yako. She could feel his gaze drilling into the back of her head yet she said nothing to him. As uncharacteristic as it was she just didn't know what to say. Was there anything she could say?

Suddenly she smelt someone approaching quickly and signaled Itachi to stop. He obliged, "Someone's coming, no time to hide." The person came into view. He was very tall, taller than Kisame but he was lanky, he had a very big chakra reservoir. Brown cruel eyes looked out from beneath strong eyebrows. Without a doubt it was Tsukari. Just the person they wanted to avoid, this was supposed to be a quick in and out mission.

"Well, well, what do we have here?" He sneered at them, "A cross dresser and a metal freak."

"HEY! Who you callin' freak?!" Itachi grasped her arm to keep her form charging in like an idiot.

"My apologies," he laughed. "A hotheaded, metal freak." She growled. This guy was gonna get it, she rolled up her sleeves.

"Gajeel-san," a quiet, deep voice interrupted her. "Let me handle this." She was about to say something but he cut her off, "Not that I doubt your abilities." Grudgingly she acquiesced.

Itachi stepped forward leisurely, almost as if the whole fight was beneath him. Tsukari was annoyed. "It wont take more than a minute to finish you."

"Hn."

"You'll be kneeling before me in no time," he said as he attacked. Itachi dodged easily. Tsukari kicked in a flurry of movements yet not one even came close to touching his opponent. Itachi struck out in a blur, his palm his Tsukari's chest once before he recovered by trying to grab his wrist.

Dodging his counterattack Itachi quickly did some hand signs and a fireball appeared, it flew toward Tsukari. Instead of moving he blew a water bubble that consumed the great fireball. All the while Tsukari was looking away from Itachi's eyes, which confused Gajeel. What was with that?

Tsukari did a couple hand signs, which Itachi copied easily and two fire dragons shot out to attack one another before bursting into flames. It happened a couple more times with different jutsu's before he got annoyed. When he went to attack again Itachi threw a couple kunai, which hit him in the head, and he crumbled into rubble just as a form shot out of the ground to attack from the side. Jumping to the side he threw a couple more kunai with made this Tsukari disappear into rubble again and a water jutsu was coming towards Itachi from behind.

The water spears hit him in the back and black crows dispersed into the air. Tsukari looked around him suspiciously, tensed, waiting for the surprise attack. Another fire jutsu distracted him from seeing the shuriken that struck his leg. Blood dripped down his leg and he returned fire but the kunai only stuck into the wall where Itachi used to be.

Gajeel turned to Itachi next to her, "you gonna keep letting him think he's fighting you?" Tsukari was fighting nothing. The genjutsu that Itachi put on him with a flick of the wrist when he was talking in the beginning was still on him. She smirked, "He did insult me. Let's see how long this takes, I bet another minute." By now Kisame had appeared, blood covered his cloak but he wasn't hurt at all. Kisame grinned when he saw the situation.

"Caught in a genjutsu?" They nodded. "Guess the Intel of him being good at genjutsu was over exaggerated. I say three minutes." Kisame and her looked at Itachi who just said 'Hn'.

"I'm going to guess that means two minutes." Kisame chuckled but to their surprise it only took ten more seconds before he was free of the genjutsu. "Huh, I guess he does have some skill."

Tsukari glared at everyone, which was a mistake. In his anger he looked at Itachi's eyes and froze momentarily. Then fell to the ground twitching. Gajeel's eyebrow raised, "not much." Then she smiled slyly at Itachi, "he just couldn't handle your beauty." Kisame snorted then walked up to the unconscious body of Tsukari with a kunai in hand.

The uncomfortable feeling in her stomach was back but she pushed it down. To her surprise Itachi stopped his partner, "There's no need Kisame-san. Just tie him up if you want the reward money."

Kisame fake pouted, "that'll make carrying him so much harder. Can I at least cut off a limb or two?" Itachi just looked at him and he sighed. While he was working on tying him up Gajeel looked towards Itachi with wide eyes. Why would he do that? He didn't acknowledge the question in her eyes and she looked back at Kisame. Did he stop his partner from killing him for her?

Kisame hoisted him up on his shoulder and looked between them. "Let's go. Yako probably knows by now that Tsukari is down and is attempting to escape."

"Ah." Itachi turned to Gajeel, "Lead the way." Kisame looked confused as why Gajeel should lead but he trusted his partner.

"Have anything that Yako previously touched?"

Kisame looked to Itachi for assurance and he nodded. He pulled out a scroll that was sealed. She took it and sniffed it. There was a distinct smell on it and she handed the scroll back. They wandered a couple halls before she caught the scent. Picking up her pace she led them to a room, "in here."

Smirking at them she kicked the door in and oomph was heard as it hit someone. They walked in to see a group of shinobi surrounding Yako. There were a couple with a door on them, but they quickly recovered and got up to pull out a few kunai. Gajeel cracked her knuckles, "this time it's all mine."

Kisame and Itachi couldn't help but be curious as to her powers. They had seen her crush someone's hand easily, but they had never seen any jutsu. It was going to be amusing seeing if she could back up all of her talk. They nodded at her and moved back to watch her work.

The shinobi looked to each other with disbelief, they were letting her fight twenty of them? Yako scoffed, which made Gajeel's blood boil in anger. Everyone always underestimated her, which was a mistake on their part. A man stepped forward and shot toward her. She smirked, "Tetsuryū no Hōkō." Putting up her hands to her mouth metal spun out in a vortex out of a magic circle to everyone's amazement. The man was so shocked he didn't even dodge. It struck him in the stomach and blood spewed out as he flew back to almost hit his comrades. One down for the count, this made the others turn to face her more seriously.

Five stayed back to protect Yako from incoming jutsu as the rest faced Gajeel. A few came forward to fight her. She dodged the first kick; going under it she struck the man in the gut that knocked him into the second guy. Spinning down her left leg tripped the man behind her, and she spun up to do the Iron Dragon's Club into three more guys. Two jumped out of the way in time but the last wasn't so lucky. When she ground him into the ground with her club ten feet away she swung it to the left to catch the other two that had avoided her attack.

It would have caught them in the side if it weren't for the earth wall that shot up to slow her club down just long enough for them to get out of there. Flipping backwards over a guy she created kunai out of her arm and tossed them with pinpoint accuracy while in the air. It struck him in the shoulder, disabling his right arm. Kicking him in the back he flew into his teammate. By now seven were down and it had been less than a minute. Only eight more to go.

While she had been busy with dealing with those guys the three that weren't protecting Yako were creating a massive jutsu. She shot towards them as the mix of earth and air flew towards her. Itachi and Kisame glanced at each other, it seemed she wasn't dodging it. Neither of them interfered though, she was a capable kunoichi. Plus she'd probably be angry they got in the middle of it.

A few seconds before she was consumed by the jutsu shadows gathered around her, making her almost glow in an ethereal blue/black. In a flash she was just a black shadow, the jutsu went through her shocking them. The next second she was behind them and came out of the shadows covered in pure iron, "I'll show you the meaning of true terror." The men gasped and started to scatter, completely leaving Yako to defend himself. Becoming a shadow she slipped in front of them and her club shot out to punch two of them into the side of the wall effectively knocking them out.

Yako was sneaking off to the side but was pinned to the left wall by Itachi. He forced him to look in his eye and he was conked out instantly. All the while Gajeel was toying with the last few shinobi that were not defeated.

Finishing up the last one her shadow slithered to stop right before the two of them and reformed into her usual self, with a crazy grin on her face though. "They'll know never to underestimate a girl again."

"We got what we were after." They turned to go.

She pouted, "Aw come on guys, no one's going to say how I kicked everyone's ass?"

They ignored her, "Hey! I'm talkin' to you guys!"


She tossed back some sake and sighed, they were no fun. Right when they got back they took Yako into their room to ask him some questions. Knowing that she was unwelcome she went next door to the bar to get a couple drinks. It had been an hour by now and she was getting a little curious, but she didn't want to know how they were asking questions so she didn't snoop.

A guy came to her table and sat down. Glancing up from her cup she raised an eyebrow, curious to who had the balls after seeing her crush some guys hand yesterday. To her surprise he wasn't hideous.

"Hello there," he smiled. Perfect white teeth showed in the dim light and blue eyes looked back at her crimson ones. Her eyes narrowed; at least he didn't call her darling or something.

"Hm," was all she responded while crossing her arms, looking him over.

He laughed, "not very talkative are you?"

"What of it?"

He shrugged his shoulders, "doesn't bother me. Name's Hiro." When she didn't respond he continued, "This is usually the part where you tell me your name."

She snorted, "Gajeel."

"Gajeel…?"

"Redfox."

"Interesting name."

"Well I came up with it myself."

"Now that's a story I'd like to hear."

"Yes, Gajeel, we'd like to hear too." A voice came from behind her. She turned to see Itachi and Kisame. Kisame was the one who spoke with fake interest. Rolling her eyes she turned around. They sat down and both looked at Hiro, they didn't look friendly as they glared at him. Hiro gulped.

"Well Gajeel, I'll see you around." With that he was off.

Gajeel turned to glare at them, "I was talking to him."

"It's not like you even wanted to," Itachi said.

"Yeah, well, so what!" Amused looks were shot her way and she huffed. "If I'm talking to someone it's my place to tell them to screw off or not. Not yours."

They glanced at each other and she scowled. "Sure Gajeel. Whatever you say," Kisame guffawed at her expression.

Unlike Kisame, Itachi nodded seriously, "we will comply to your wishes next time Gajeel-san." Not thinking he'd acquiesce she just stared dumbly.

"So did you really make up your name or you just screwing with that guy?"

"I didn't lie."

"Hn."

Laughing Gajeel turned to Itachi, "Why don't you just ask the question instead of acting indifferent?" He just looked away and she answered anyways. "Well I never knew my parents, they died when I was young. I grew up under my teacher Metalicana. I made up my first name and he came up with my last name." Her eyes grew distant just talking about him. Her cold façade covered the sadness brewing behind it and she turned to them. "Get your answers?"

"Hn."

"It's sad that I understood that."

Kisame chuckled, "it's amazing how he can make each one sound different once you get to know him." Itachi glared at them as they laughed at his expense. "This one time we had a whole conversation with him responding that way and everyone else was so confused." He chuckled again.

"How long have you two been together?" She smirked and Kisame spit out his drink.

"Why you little…" Kisame growled.

Gajeel just kept talking over him, "I mean I knew that he was too pretty to be straight. So this completely makes sense." Her eyes widened as realization hit her. "Ohh, so that explains the club your in, and the clothes. I mean, they are pretty fashionable."

Two sets of glares were on her. "We are not gay," Itachi said. He looked at Kisame before shivering, then collected himself before either could notice his dismay.

"Like I'll believe you."

Kisame stared at her, "tell ya what, I beat you at drinking and you drop this subject forever, if you win…"

"If I win then you give me all your kunai."

"No," Itachi said just as Kisame agreed.

"It's settled. Bartender, sake bottles please." He dropped some off at their table a moment later and she poured them in each glass.

"Easy. You're going to get crushed."

Her eyes narrowed dangerously, "Oh yeah? Bring it on."

Four bottles later they were still glaring at each other while Itachi sat there observing them. It was amusing if not annoying. Both were swaying precariously, but the determination still shone in each of their eyes. Neither was giving up that's for sure.

"Yoush better giveee up," Kisame said slurring his words.

She snorted and almost fell before gathering herself, "Che. Youu wishhhh." Pouring another they each took one and slammed it down. "Lookin' lil' drunk thereee Kishamee."

Itachi sighed, but they kept pouring shots and banging it on the table when they finished them. Another bottle down and both of their eyes were unfocused. Kisame went to pour another shot and knocked the bottle off the table, "ooppsy." When he went to grab it he tipped over and fell the ground with a 'boom'. Itachi looked back at Gajeel to see her head on the table also, seemed like neither won.

He rubbed his forehead, and used the Kage no Bunshin to create a clone to pick up Kisame. The clone disappeared to put him to sleep and Itachi turned to pick up Gajeel. When he grabbed her arm she didn't wake so he went to pick her up. She was surprisingly light for her size. He threw some money on the table and walked out.

He had observed her up close before the first time they met but it was different somehow when she was sleeping. She looked very peaceful, almost angel like in her dark beauty. Not only was she a strong woman but a strong kunoichi. It took a lot to impress him, and she did not disappoint earlier.

The techniques she used on those lackeys of Yako's was impressive. No hand signs were used yet she used her chakra, and in such a strange way. The chakra that was surrounding her made her skin feel very warm, and it didn't clash with his own like he initially thought it would.

She grumbled something and he paused in the hallway outside her room. Jumping up suddenly she stopped a foot away then wobbled hazardously. Itachi grasped her waist before she could fall and her eyes opened to see his face inches away from her own.

A blush spread across her face and her eyes widened. "PERVERT!" She yelled and smashed a fist in his face. He flew back but recovered smoothly enough to catch her before she hit the ground. This time he knew her reaction and stopped her fist from hitting him again. Recognition lit in her eyes and she involuntarily blushed again. "Uhh…" Gajeel could see a bruise forming at his jaw and blanched.

Itachi made sure she had a hand on the wall before retracting his arm back from her waist. Was it her imagination that he lingered? She shook her head, this was Itachi after all, emotionless, polite Itachi. "Sorry."

"Hn." She looked up in relief; he didn't blame her, she thought luckily. His impassive red eyes stared at her a moment, "Yako is in your room tied up and under a genjutsu that will wear off in two days. Here's a map showing you the way back to Fire."

He went to leave but she grabbed his wrist. "Wait." Itachi paused and looked at her over his shoulder. Letting go of his wrist she cleared her throat to cover her embarrassment. "Tell Kisame that I'll kick his ass for sure next time."

"Next time?"

She looked to the side and crossed her arms, "Not that I ever want to see you jerks again, but I have a feeling we'll meet up some time whether I want to or not." Peeking up she saw thought she saw his lip turn up in a small smile, but she couldn't be sure because he was gone the next moment.

"What was I thinking?" She grumbled to herself. "Next time? I'm an idiot." Gajeel slumped to the ground once she was inside her room. Yako was on the ground to the right of her bed knocked out with rope around his wrists and ankles.

Looking at the map she sighed. It seemed it was a two-day trip back to the border of Fire, so four days in total if she didn't run into her group. She refused to acknowledge that she was going to miss the two weirdos in matching outfits. Kisame reminded her of Natsu in some ways, and it made her heart ache. He was her comrade, her friend. Itachi… well, she didn't know exactly what he was to her. Itachi was strong and emotionless, yet he seemed to show more true emotions then a lot of people she met here. Everyone else acted so fake most of the time, just like back in Phantom Troupe.

Gajeel sighed and groaned because her head hurt from drinking too much. The room was still spinning and she decided she would think on where exactly Itachi stood in her life when she was completely sober. Crawling into bed she closed her eyes and thought of better times with Metalicana.


Heya, REVIEW AND DO THE POLLLL!

Hope you enjoyed it.