Author's Note: Alright, it's the 12th chapter! The truth is finally out! And there's a little bit of a timeskip from the last chapter to this one: about a week.

I don't really have much to say. So...read on now! :)

:XXXXX:

Romance In The Snow:

Chapter Twelve

A week. A week had officially went by. A week full of coldness, confusion, angst, and uncomfortable moments for Itachi and Konan.

The two didn't really understand just what was going on. It all started once winter began; and, like normal, they would be really angsty over the season. But...something strange happened to them both when they encountered that night.

Different emotions seemed to be coming out since then. Emotions that neither of the two shinobi barely ever experienced.

And something clicked between them. Something that they hadn't actually felt since...the time they first met. When they had first met, a sudden weird feeling overcame them both. But afterward, they just dismissed it; and tried to believe it was nothing. Time had passed since they first met, of course, and they barely even had thought about it since.

That same weird feeling once again overcame them after they had encountered that night. The past few days after that had been very awkward and confusing. Konan didn't know why she suddenly wanted to help Itachi; and make sure he didn't die too soon; or why she actually enjoyed the sudden kiss. Itachi didn't know why he hated that he let himself get injured; but actually wanted Konan's help. Or why he did kiss her...and enjoy it as well.

Things weren't going so wonderful for the other Akatsuki members either: Pain was confused and shocked, Deidara was sneaking around and planning unnecessary 'epic' blackmail, Sasori had to keep 'implying' to Konan that she was in denial, Kisame was in the same position as Sasori; only with Itachi, Hidan wanted to murder Mayumi because she insulted Jashin and the religion itself, Zetsu was trying to keep Tobi away from Konan and Itachi; because he didn't want him to interfere like always, Kakuzu STILL refused to accept that Konan had lied to him about money being thrown out in the snow from several days ago*; and still was outside searching for it, and the newest member Mayumi, she had been busy for an entire week; trying to set up something that would get Konan and Itachi's true feelings for each other out.

"Whew. I'm almost done with it."

Mayumi sighed and brushed some of her hair behind her ear, then went back to keeping her hands together in a sign; chakra faintly and slowly being released into the scroll she had spread out on the floor of her room.

"If I WAS good at controlling my chakra and focusing it," Mayumi bitterly mumbled under her breath as she tried to focus her chakra. "Then this entire process would have taken approximately six hours* to complete!"

Mayumi did come from a weak and barely known clan, and she wasn't always good with chakra control and trying to focus it. But still, she wanted to prove to everybody that she was a decent shinobi: that she did have a place in the Akatsuki. Because despite how everyone's been acting, they apparently thought she was okay enough. But she didn't think so.

In her mind: by helping Itachi and Konan, everyone else would see that she's useful. All Mayumi wanted anyway was to be of use to someone; no matter what the cost of that was.

Mayumi was slowly becoming drained though. And her eyes slowly started to close and she stumbled a little to try and keep herself up. She gasped slightly when she realized she was about to fall forward and quickly caught herself.

"...It's finally ready."

A tiny smile briefly had appeared on her face as Mayumi noticed that the marks written in her blood had formed some new mark; and a puff of smoke appeared afterward. Some kind of creature was visible when the smoke faded and it growled in frustration as he noticed Mayumi.

"...Mayumi! Why the hell are you summoning me for no reason?"

Mayumi rolled her eyes and got up off her knees and stood up.

"For your information, I could summon you anytime I want or need to. Anyway, I actually have a good reason to this time; so cut all that grouchy crap out and hear me out for once..."

:XXXXX:

"What's going on in there?"

"I think she's talking to someone; someone with deep and serious voice, yeah."

"Well who is that? Who the hell would talk to her? She's such a bitch. Zetsu, zip it!"

Deidara groaned under his breath as he rolled his eyes. He really didn't want to be there at the moment; outside Mayumi's room with Zetsu and trying to listen in on what was happening. All he knew at the moment was that the Grass nin had pulled him away from his blackmailing and told/forced him to listen outside Mayumi's door. Apparently, he was either nosy or suspicious.

"Look, I'm tired of getting pulled away like this, yeah. You've got two sides there; one of you listen in!" Deidara exclaimed as he gave up and walked away from the door.

"Deidara!"

"If you're that suspicious of her, just hide a secret camera in there, yeah!" Deidara mentioned before leaving quickly.

Zetsu stared for several seconds. And then he sighed and went back to listening to Mayumi's conversation with the 'person' in there. Actually, he was suspicious of her. He didn't really trust her much.

:XXXXX:

Konan quickly opened the door and lightly closed it behind her. She had entered Itachi and Kisame's room because she was about to try and heal the former's broken ribs again. In the past week, she had been trying really hard to heal them. She wanted to help in any way possible; and she had a pretty wild idea why, but tried to not think about that.

Since the day...the 'incident' between them occurred, she had been trying to avoid him for about a week. She didn't want to avoid him, but she couldn't really handle the stress that would come over her by seeing him and thinking about the 'incident', she wanted to believe it was. Ever since then, she'd been having flashbacks about that kiss; along with all the other things that had happened to them since the despised season started. Itachi and Konan actually both felt like something...something was slowly coming together as time passed. But they couldn't really figure out what. One thing both did know, was that it was a really weird feeling; something neither had ever actually felt before.

Or even expected to feel that before.

"I wonder if Itachi is awake...if he is, I'll just come back tonight or something. I can't-"

Konan left her thoughts all together when she looked through the dark room, her eyes adjusted to darkness ever since she's entered the base for the very first time, and noticed Kisame leaning against the wall reading a book of some kind. Konan couldn't it well; but it appeared to be kind of neat looking and was colored black.

"Kisame."

Kisame mumbled something and then quickly turned his head to see Konan.

"Hey. Are you here to see Itachi or something?"

"...Shut up." Konan mumbled as her cheeks suddenly felt warmer than they were earlier.

"Okay..."

Konan glared at him, and then looked over at Itachi's bed; the Uchiha was in it and sleeping.

"How is he doing?" Konan asked a little too quickly as she looked over at the shark man.

"Itachi? Well...he won't really tell me. But he apparently is still in a little pain when breathing or making a certain movement." Kisame replied before turning a page. "Last night, I noticed he was still awake at about three in the morning. He seemed to be in deep thought; and was writing in this journal here. So...I just kind of went back to sleep."

"Oh, I see-wait..." Konan furrowed her eyebrows together and looked back at Kisame. "Would that book you're reading happen to be it?"

Feeling tense suddenly as he felt Konan's glare, Kisame sighed before turning the page again.

"... … ...Yes."

"Give me that!"

Konan quickly swiped the journal away and then examined the front and back of it. It obviously was the Uchiha's: because of his clan's symbol on the back. She was kind of ticked off that Kisame would read it. Was he really that nosy?

"You might actually want to read that too." Kisame mentioned as he gestured to the book. "I wasn't snooping per se, but I was curious. And there is some stuff about you-"

"Kisame, leave."

Seeing the angry look in Konan's eyes, Kisame just gave up and wordlessly left. He wanted to question why he had to leave, but decided against it. After all, she was obviously angry at him for being "curious".

Konan sighed after he left and walked over to the small nightstand beside Itachi's bed. She placed the journal back on it without a second thought and then looked at Itachi's sleeping form.

:XXXXX:

"I shouldn't even listen to you. You know how your 'plans' never work, idiot."

Mayumi's eye twitched and she gave the summoned creature a glare. This creature was actually a wolf, with beautiful gray fur and mysterious golden eyes. Various injured marks, however, were visible on him. And a chained choker was on his neck.

He was Reiji; a ninja wolf who was very serious and anti-social. He was a summoned creature that Mayumi had struck a deal with when she was thirteen; Her sensei had taught her how to summon wolves; and she had accidentally summoned Reiji out of all the wolves she could have summoned. When they first encountered he immediately despised her and didn't want to help her, after they argued he struck the deal with her: he would allow her to summon him and he would help her in combat whenever, but she first had to learn a certain ninjutsu; she had trained for a month and was luckily able to learn it.

But that didn't change the fact that he hated her; and she herself had grown to be annoyed with his ways and his icy personality.

"Just do it!" Mayumi snapped as she crossed her arms and gave him an angry look. "Now, I-"

"Wait, what's with the cloak? You actually joined this organization?" Reiji asked as he gave her a questioning look.

Mayumi blinked and looked down at herself; sighing as she realized he was a little slow in realizing where he was and that she was actually in the Akatsuki.

"Yes I did, Reiji. Maybe I'm not the strongest shinobi-"

"You aren't."

"-But I want to be of use to someone. And...if this is the only way I can be of use in this world, then so be it."

Reiji blinked before taking in all that she just said. He looked away and briefly too his left paw and rubbed over his chin.

"I see." The wolf then looked back at her with a serious look in his eyes. "But you are actually a criminal now; is that really what you want?"

"Yes. Now stop talking and listen to what I'm about to tell you!" Mayumi snapped.

"You're going to get it later for snapping at ME..." Reiji thought as his eyes narrowed.

The next several minutes, Mayumi explained to Reiji all about Itachi and Konan; even though the wolf was already in the know of them because of his knowledge. She then mentioned that she had a pretty good feeling that Itachi and Konan had feelings for each other. Reiji didn't know where the former Leaf kunoichi was going with that, but didn't question her motives like he wanted to.

"Reiji, it's so obvious to me that they like each other. And if I'm going to prove to everybody in the Akatsuki that I am useful, the first step is resolving this whole predicament!"

Reiji growled under his breath and then walked over to her bed and jumped atop it before sitting there.

"I am not sure I see where you're going, Mayumi..." Reiji spoke up. "And I don't see why you need me. What exactly are you going to do?"

A smirk made it's way onto Mayumi's face; Reiji knew that when she smirked like that, it usually meant she was up to something. And he rolled his eyes as he imagined all the possible things that she had could have had in mind.

"I know you and me aren't exactly on good terms, and we barely ever work together..." Reiji gave her a deadpan look at that moment. "But I need you to cast that special genjutsu of yours; the one that creates an illusion of a pot of 'water', and the water 'turns' a different color when someone focuses their chakra into it before mentioning a person's name."

Giving Mayumi a confused look, Reiji sat back up and then sighed at how vague she was trying to be with that. One thing he hated about her was her tendency to try and explain everything vaguely.

"Are you talking about the genjutsu that only I can use so far? The one where it creates an illusion of a silver-colored pot of water, and the water changes colors to represent the feelings of someone who focuses their chakra into it and then says their name?" Reiji corrected coolly in his serious and monotone voice.

Mayumi stared blankly and had her hands clenched into fists. She eventually slowly released her hands and shrugged her shoulders.

"Exactly. So can you do it?"

Reiji thought for a minute and rolled his mysterious golden eyes. Mayumi mumbled some curses to him under breath as he did so.

"I would." Reiji mentioned. "But...I don't think I should help you if you won't help ME in return."

"...You're a jackass, do you know that?" Mayumi mentioned in frustration.

Reiji didn't like Mayumi much. And could barely stand her; but he was technically on her side. So he was kind of forced to help her at that point. But the skillful wolf did know one thing: Mayumi was really going to get it when this whole thing was over.

"Fine, fine! I'll cast the damn jutsu." Reiji exclaimed as he jumped off the bed and walked over to the middle of the room. He gave Mayumi a glare and then growled again under his breath. "But just remember what happens to those who annoy me..."

"Yeah, yeah, now here's the scroll you need. Cast the jutsu, and I'll allow you to leave!" Mayumi snapped as she pretty much threw her scroll she was previously using at him.

Reiji rolled his eyes and then walked over to the scroll. His eyes closed briefly and he placed both of his paws into the scroll's center where Mayumi's blood had formed a unique mark when it ran together. Chakra started being focused into the scroll and Mayumi watched the whole time from a safe distance while looking rather blank.

:XXXXX:

"I wonder if he's okay..." Konan thought as she leaned over slightly and gently brushed some of Itachi's hair from his face. "I have been sneaking in here every night and staying for at least three hours: trying to heal those broken ribs."

"...It may not be good for my body; not having enough sleep, but as long as I can heal you, I will put myself aside..." Konan muttered; glancing away and pretty talking to herself.

"I don't want you to go through all the trouble just to help me, Konan..."

Konan almost flinched when she heard Itachi. She didn't expect him to wake up so soon. She sighed and turned back to look at him.

"Are you still not wanting me to help you?" Konan inquired; almost sounded sad at the moment. "Like I said last week; you do-"

"That's not what I meant. I...I don't want all the unnecessary healing, and the lack of sleep to take it's toll on you." Itachi explained; now sitting up.

"...One of us has to suffer; it might as well be me." Konan mentioned; never breaking her eye contact with Itachi. "I have suffered before; but you don't deserve to either after all you've been through. So let me heal those broken bones."

Thinking about it for several seconds, Itachi really couldn't figure out why Konan was still so determined to help him. But he didn't want her to have to suffer; she probably did already at some point in more ways than one. But why did it matter to her if he suffered like that? His only reason for even staying around was because of his little brother's revenge-obsession, it wasn't like he felt there was any other reason to still stay around.

But he chose to let Konan help him. Somehow, he kind of wanted her to do it anyway. Because there was something about her medical abilities; they weren't like any other medic nin he'd ever seen. Her abilities were very controlled and focused. She stayed so calm and cool when healing; seemingly not at all worried she could slip up. Maybe Konan hadn't been training for long...but he still felt like the broken bones were actually being healed in such a short time.

"Alright. Now, ah, take your shirt off so I can heal you." Konan mumbled; now breaking the eye contact she was fortunate to have kept all that time.

Itachi did as he was told and stripped the shirt off as he pushed the covers back. Konan tried to keep her eyes focused on the ground the entire time as a blush crept up from her neck to her face.

Once the dreaded awkward moment was over, Konan collected herself and then placed her hand over Itachi's chest; her own chakra being used to heal him. It faintly and softly glowed light green as the seconds ticked by. Itachi just kind of lied there; seemingly interested in watching.

"So..." Konan mentioned; making eye contact with Itachi once again easily. "Do you feel any better?"

"Actually, I have been feeling better for the past week; but still, I don't think I'm better just yet."

"You won't be until I can get them back." Konan quickly replied before sighing. "...I just hope I can do this."

Konan blinked and was a little surprised as Itachi had grabbed her other hand and they were interlocked together. Her eyes showed that she was surprised; and inwardly, Itachi thought that was a little amusing.

"Well, don't doubt yourself. From what I've seen, your medical abilities are very good." Itachi mentioned.

"...He really thinks that? But how does he possibly know?" Konan thought. However, her lips briefly curved into a rare smile when she realized something*.

"Thank you."

There was silence after that, but the silence was awkward, tense, dreaded, or anything bad. It was good silence. Konan didn't notice, but Itachi did notice a faint camera flash coming from the slightly ajar door; and then blue eye with some strands of blond hair falling over it quickly back away while apparently smirking evilly. He almost rolled his eyes when he thought about who that could possibly be: Deidara trying to succeed with his 'blackmail plan'.

:XXXXX:

"That took a little longer than I wanted, Reiji." Mayumi mentioned bluntly as she looked back from the window at the freezing snow outside.

There was quite a lot of snow still built up outside; and really covered the base. Which made it kind of impossible for everyone to exit the base for several days.

"It only took twenty seconds. Stop your effing whining about everything, okay?"

Mayumi rolled her eyes and then walked over to the center of the room. She got down on her knees, and Reiji stood there too; examining the genjutsu.

"Is this to your liking, your highness?" Reiji sarcastically asked Mayumi as he looked up at her.

Mayumi didn't respond to that. She just shook her head and went back to examining the genjutsu. What was there was a silver pot; inside was 'water'. It did look real; but it was really an illusion. The whole point of the jutsu wasn't to be used in combat; it was merely for showing one's true feelings for the person they mention after focusing their chakra into it. The 'water' will 'turn' a certain color.

"Thank you, Reiji. I owe you one this time."

Reiji sighed and shook his head slightly before walking over to a nearby chair in the room.

"Whatever. Now I have to leave." Reiji mentioned as Mayumi looked over.

And Reiji disappeared just like that, leaving behind a cloud of smoke/dust in the process. Mayumi smirked evilly as she picked the pot up and placed it on her desk.

"Reiji's really helpful sometimes...although, I wouldn't admit that to his face." Mayumi mumbled. "All I have to do is get Konan and Itachi to come here separately and they will both see their TRUE feelings for each other..."

With that said, Mayumi put her cloak back on over clothes and brushed through her hair before walking over to her door and opening it. However, when she opened it, she gasped rather loudly when she noticed Zetsu standing there.

"Ah! Wha...were you eavesdropping?" Mayumi questioned as she glared at Zetsu.

Zetsu backed up, and then his white half said yes while the dark said no. Mayumi's eyes widened when she realized that she didn't know which of the two to believe, because she didn't know that the white half was telling the truth while the dark wasn't, she sighed and then walked off wordlessly down the hall. And Zetsu just walked off then; but he was still suspicious of all that he just heard between Mayumi and Reiji.

:XXXXX:

It took a little time, but suddenly, Itachi's eyes widened a little as he felt like he was able to breath better again. It didn't hurt like earlier.

"Itachi, are you okay?" Konan asked with worry as she noticed his eyes widening slightly.

"...Yes." Konan blinked after he said that. "I...I don't feel pain anymore and I'm breathing much better again."

"You mean...I did it?" Konan asked in shock as she stopped healing him and brought her hand back to her side. "After all this time has passed? I healed your broken bones and put them back in place?"

"Yes. I'm sure." Itachi mentioned as he sat up on the edge of the bed. Konan sighed with relief and barely was able to keep herself calm.

"I'm glad I was able to. Honestly, I was very worried about you this whole time." Konan mentioned as she smiled briefly.

Silence overcame them after that. Itachi reached over and grabbed his shirt and put it back on, and Konan kind of shifted her weight on her feet as she tried to keep herself from losing her cool and hugging him. Wait...hugging him? Konan blushed inconspicuously as she thought about why she would do that.

"So what are you going to do now?"

Konan blinked after hearing that and sighed.

"Well, I am exhausted after all the healing I've been doing, and the lack of sleep, I think I'll just go back to my room and rest." Konan replied.

Itachi got up when he noticed Konan walking over to the door about to open it and leave. He followed her silently and was a little surprised when she had removed her hand from the doorknob after it was opened enough to leave.

Confused, Itachi tilted his head slightly when he noticed she hadn't left yet. He figured that she would have already left afterward; seeing that she was tired and probably drained from using all that chakra.

And unexpectedly, Konan turned around and leaned in; lightly kissing Itachi's cheek for about three seconds. And before Itachi had a chance to respond, Konan pulled away and quickly walked out of the room and slammed the door behind her; feeling that weird feeling return again.

"...What just happened?" Was all Itachi could tonelessly ask aloud as he touched the spot she had kissed in bewilderment. It wasn't that he didn't like that, but he couldn't really understood why she did that.

...Let alone what was going on between them in general.

:XXXXX:

Mayumi stealthily had attached herself to the hall's wall; right beside Itachi and Kisame's room. When she noticed Konan quickly leave and slam the door with a visible dark blush across her face; she knew it was time to chance everything and find out the truth.

"Hey Konan, what happened in there?"

Konan turned around and looked at Mayumi; who strangely had a look of curiosity on her face. Afterward, Konan explained what happened in there, that she had finally successfully healed Itachi's broken bones and was very relieved. But she didn't mention the sudden kiss she gave him. Mayumi was interested by what she heard and nodded as she took in all the explaining.

"That's good. But Konan, I have an important question for you." Mayumi mentioned; holding her index finger in the air. "And don't try to sidestep it or anything; because the truth must come out eventually."

Konan blinked before looking emotionless again and leaning against the wall. She absentmindedly brushed some strands of her blue hair out her eyes and stared at her curiously.

"What is it?"

Mayumi crossed her arms too and looked straight into her amber eyes.

"...Konan, do you want to know how you really feel about Itachi?" Mayumi asked, hoping she would get an answer from her.

This question took Konan by surprise, but she didn't appear to be surprised at all. Actually, she had been wondering that herself. Maybe all that time...she was just in denial? Maybe Sasori was right? Maybe she really did like Itachi? These questions all floated through her mind. And Konan wanted them answered; she really did.

"...Yes. I do want to know." Konan replied, not caring that she could be chancing something.

"Good. Because I, along with all the guys, believe that you both like each other more than what you're letting on and are convinced." Mayumi commented. "Follow me to my room, I have something that will reveal the truth to you."

Konan nodded; she furrowed her eyebrows together and followed Mayumi to her room. What she knew at that point was that she was about to get a load off her mind and maybe things would finally get back to normal around the base.

When the two kunoichi had entered Mayumi's room, she closed the door back and walked over to the pot on her desk and picked it up. Konan sat on Mayumi's bed the whole time; watching in suspense.

"Here we go. This is what we'll use."

Konan stared at the silver pot of 'water' that Mayumi placed on the floor in the middle of the room. She was a little confused at that point, it didn't seem likely that a pot of 'water' would reveal the truth to her. So she asked the former Leaf nin about it. When Mayumi explained all about it, including some brief parts about Reiji, Konan felt like things actually started making sense again.

"Now then, put your hands into the illusion of 'water', and focus your chakra. Then, say Itachi's name and the 'water' will change color to that certain feeling." Mayumi explained as she gestured to it. "Black means hatred, Midnight blue means obsession, white means neutral, yellow means friendship, orange means family-feelings, and so on. I'll tell you whatever color it turns into means. And Reiji says that the illusion will fade in three hours; so there's enough time for you to do this."

"This seems odd. But Mayumi seems confident with this. I may not like her much, but I have no choice but to do this." Konan thought as she skeptically stared at the 'water' in the illusion of a pot.

"Oh, and this is one-hundred percent accurate, Konan. So...whatever it shows is true. It really is how you feel." Mayumi mentioned as she stood there. "Now, even though you say you're a little drained of chakra at the moment...you should still have enough because it doesn't take much chakra."

"...Alright." Konan sighed and closed her eyes; she dipped her hands into the water, which felt like real water strangely, and focused her chakra into it. ".. … ...Itachi Uchiha."

Slowly, the water started to splash around a lot. Konan opened her eyes after about six seconds and took her hands out of the 'water'. She blinked when she saw that the water wasn't clear anymore; it was dark red.

"...It turned dark red. Mayumi, what does that mean? How do I feel about Itachi?" Konan asked as she looked up at a smirking Mayumi.

"...Dark red means love. Konan, you love Itachi."

Konan's eyes widened. She was speechless at that point and felt her heart beat starting to pick up and pound hard. Everything kind of made sense at that moment to her; all the time she had that weird feeling, all the times she tried to convince herself that she didn't like him, the fact that she wanted to protect him from danger and keep him alive longer.

It did make sense. Thinking about it, and having that same weird feeling again, Konan realized that she did love Itachi. That was what her mind and heart kept trying to tell her.

"...Konan, I haven't been here long. But I could sense that you really did have feelings for him right away. And now that you know, I want you to tell him." Mayumi said as she watched the 'water' turn back clear from having nobody focus chakra into it.

"Tell him?" Konan protested as she looked up at Mayumi. "I would...but I really shouldn't; because it couldn't ever work out. Besides-"
"It doesn't matter! You can't hide it forever!" Mayumi pointed out. "You'll just only hurt yourself; because we all know that Itachi doesn't have much of a life! It doesn't matter if Pain doesn't 'accept' it either, he wouldn't understand anyway; so don't bring him into this either!"

Konan stared at Mayumi blankly, and the latter sighed and walked over to the door.

"Maybe you're right."

Mayumi perked up when she heard that and quickly turned around as Konan got up.

"You know I'm right. Now, you don't have to tell him right away; but get it over with soon." Mayumi said as she opened the door and left.

As Mayumi left, Konan stood there for a few minutes, still trying to get what had just happened and what was revealed. She still was a little skeptical, and focused her chakra into the water again; but still, it turned dark red.

"...I do love him. I...I can't believe this."

Konan blushed a little and then left the room. She knew where she was going: back to her room to try and understand what just happened. She knew that she should tell Itachi that; after all, it was obvious he didn't have much of a life left. If she didn't say anything, it would only hurt her in the end.

But she had never actually felt this before. So she had no idea how she could tell him. One thing was for sure though: drama was picking up for everyone.

:XXXXX:

"Now, if you're sure you really want to know how you truly feel about Konan...put your hands into the 'water' and it will show us the truth."

Itachi stared at the 'water' curiously. All he knew at that moment was that Mayumi had brought him to her room after asking him if he wanted to know his true feelings for Konan. It kind of surprised him, but he went along with her anyway; because he did want to know. That question was something he wouldn't be able to answer on his own.

Mayumi had told him all about the pot of 'water'. She mentioned that it was a genjutsu cast by Reiji, and that it revealed someone's true feelings about a person. But she didn't mention that Konan had already used it; because she wanted it to be a little surprise for him. And she loved creating drama too.

"Are you sure this really works?" Itachi questioned as he looked at her.

"It will. It's completely true. Midnight blue means obsession, orange means family-feelings, dark red means love, black means hatred, white means neutral, dark green means jealousy, and so on." Mayumi mentioned. "Here, I'll show you an example."

Itachi watched as Mayumi got down her knees and dipped her hands into the 'water'. She focused chakra to her hands and then closed her eyes.

"... … ...Hidan."

Amazingly, the water splashed around and almost mimicked a whirlpool as it turned from clear to black. Mayumi then opened her eyes and smirked as she kept her gaze on it.

"See?"

"...That is true."

Mayumi nodded and took her hands out of the water; it promptly turned back to clear then.

"Of course. I hate him so much...and his stupid religion too..." Mayumi said through gritted teeth as she trembled with anger.

Itachi just gave her a blank look as she stood back up and crossed her arms after collecting herself.

"Anyway, this is a very useful genjutsu; even if it is useless in combat. It wasn't made for fighting anyway; it was invented by Reiji himself, and that's what makes it very INTERESTING." Mayumi mentioned in a seemingly desperate attempt to change the subject. "Now then, you do it. And say Konan's name as you do it."

"I've got no choice anyway." Itachi thought as he got down on the floor and put his hands into the 'water'.

"Come on...come on...I'm positive he loves her...focus your effing chakra into the 'water already'..." Mayumi thought as she furrowed her eyebrows together. She was really in suspense at that point.

Itachi focused chakra to his hands. And he stared emotionless as he noticed Mayumi starting to sweat visibly.

"... … … ...Konan."

The water splashed around; once again, almost mimicking a whirlpool as it suddenly changed color. And the color it turned, made Itachi's eyes widen and made Mayumi hide a smile behind her hand.

"Dark red..." Mayumi announced as she brought her hand back to her side. "Well, it looks like the truth is out."

"That can't be possible..." Itachi mentioned as he took his hands from the 'water' and it went back to looking clear.

"Itachi, are you denying this?" Mayumi asked in frustration. "This is the truth!"

"No. I'm not denying anything." Itachi explained as he got up; Mayumi couldn't see his face but thought he might have looked a tad thoughtful.

Mayumi blinked and then crossed her arms as she leaned against the desk and rocked back and forth a little.

"Are you saying that you do love Konan?" Mayumi inquired.

"I have been wondering if I do or not. But I think I realize now that..." Mayumi tensed up as she listened to him. "...I do love her."

"This...is...GREAT!*" Mayumi thought as she hid another smile. "Even though I kind of figured he loved her, I didn't realize he did actually...AND know it!"

"And now Itachi, you should tell her." Mayumi mentioned as she removed her hand after her smile went away. "After all, she COULD feel the same. Keeping this to yourself will only bring you pain. And plus, you don't have much of a life left anyway."

Itachi knew at that point that he really did love Konan; but he wasn't sure he even should tell her. It did seem like he shouldn't...because it would just bring a lot of conflict. And there was really no place for love in the Akatsuki, right?

"...Itachi..."

Konan might not even feel the same way for all he knew. Maybe she was a very great shinobi and one of the most interesting ones he'd ever seen, but she, like him, wasn't one to really show emotions. Besides, she was really close to the leader; even though they were just good friends, she might actually have some feelings for him.

"What are you going to do now?"

Itachi didn't really know what he would do at that point. But he sighed and turned around; Mayumi blinked in bewilderment as he did so.

"I don't know what I will do yet."

With that said, Itachi left Mayumi's room and went to his own. Mayumi stood there the whole time in surprise, but then smirked and walked over to her door and closed it before sighing with relief.

"They'll confess to each other. My work...is officially done." Mayumi said matter-of-factly to herself.

The former Leaf nin was right. Her work was done, but it was only a matter of time before things would get a little unexpected for everyone...

End.

:XXXXX:

...WOW. I think this might have been the longest chapter in the entire fic. 0.0 But hey, at least the truth this out! Sorry if this chapter was a little rushed towards the ending; I didn't mean to make it that way, but I was busy at the time and had to cut it short. -.-

Still, I hope this chapter was fine. And BTW: there is only ONE more chapter left. :) Only ONE, and then this fic will finally be complete! It's...kind of hard to believe, really. *Scratches my cheek* The LAST chapter might be kind of short; sorry In advance if it is. -.-

I probably should mention this now: Mayumi and Reiji aren't my OC characters. They are two OCs that my friend Mandy came up with; their back-stories to their appearance. She created them for fic she wrote down on paper (because she WON'T get a freaking account for some reason. T.T). She let me borrow them though; thanks again! ^^ Mandy mentioned that she might get a deviantart account; and possibly would draw them on it. However...we can't trust those words completely. :(

*In chapter two, Snowball Fights And Lust For Attention, Konan wanted to get everyone outside for a snowball fight. She knew Kakuzu would be easiest with certain bait (money); so told him that someone threw a bag of money out the window. Even after SEVERAL days...Kakuzu still thinks that the bag of money is out there. -_-' Yeah...anyway...awkward...

*My friend gave me all of Mayumi's information from her fic. Mayumi is terrible with chakra control; and can hardly use ninjutsu without it screwing up somehow. And summoning Reiji took a lot of chakra and time...it would have normally took six hours, but with Mayumi it unfortunately took a week.

*What Konan realized is up to the imagination to find out. ;) I don't...I honestly don't know either; so you'll have to figure that out yourself.

*"This...is...GREAT!" Is a quote from Spongebob Squarepants. ...I don't own that cartoon. -_- I don't even know why I threw that in; maybe just a little reference?

I will try to update this fic; either by next Friday or next weekend. :)

Read and review! ^^