Chapter XII

Clumsy

Small Trip

She giggled.

The sound of her laughter a little teasing, with light snorts that sounded so cute to him, and he did not care if no one else agreed. Tobi silently watched her twinkling odd blue-green eyes as her hand came up to brush some of her thick raven hair behind her ear. Her bangs were all neatly in place, and the strangest of smiles was playing on her lips. She was playing with him, he knew, she was toying and teasing him in every chance of opportunity that she got. Acting childish, acting vengeful, and even scaring him that perhaps her feelings for him where not real. But then she'd confuse him, acting loving, and cute in her nature that he melts just at the single touch of her fingers "I am not a virgin" Her voice was soft and meek and all he could do was look at her with complete disbelief.

"Yeah right, you're lying to me" he said accusingly, trying hard to pull a smile on his lips but if fell every time he tried to do so. He did not want to seem fake, or forced, but she scared him with everything she said, "Seriously, don't joke around like that" he managed, trying to keep his angry temper from his voice. His blood boiled at her smirk.

"I'm not joking around" She sighed, rolling her eyes at him, making him feel like he was foolish for not taking her at her word "the first time; it was not as I thought it would be, of course, it took some time to go all the way. He was sweet with me…and for that reason I followed him here. My past hasn't been the best, but" She shook her head. "It's all in the past, you are my future now," She firmly decided, yes. However, in the back of her mind she knew she was going to find a way to hurt him. Hurt him to see how much hurt it will take to make him stay loyal to her—before he too turned around and betrayed her.

Tobi was flustered. What was he supposed to say, he is a virgin after all. Yeah, he was a guy, he'd love to have sex, but when she meant something to him—something in him rebutted his moves. Then again, compare to her, and her experience, he felt a nervous and like a wreck. His girlfriend was too good to be true, Takada Ayu, she is beautiful as she is smart and successful. An older woman than him, he knew, by six years at the most.

"If…I can't believe it, actually, wow," he muttered and she gave him a pleading look.

"It's alright, you don't have to, but if we are to get married, I have to let you know" She smiled softly, her lashes fluttering down so she was giving him a seductive look. "I always believed in saving myself for marriage, guess that died a long time ago."

"Ayu" He muttered, his voice hazed as he stared into her divine eyes shift to a much more darker color. Yes, she is the girl for him. As she placed her hand in his, he could not help but to squeeze just a little, in reassurance. He was going to marry her, and above all else, they were going to live happily ever after. Yes, this was the life, and it felt perfect. She accepted all his lacks, why would not he marry her. Her smile, her face, her fair skin, blue-green eyes, and the thick silk of raven hair, god she is perfect, and so beautiful.

"Come on, let's go back to my place."

God, he thinks he loves her.

Chain City, Center

Chain City Hotels are famous.

They are always packed with an endless supply of people, most of them being celebrities that everyone loves. If you ever wanted to meet your favorite band artist, or your fantasy actors or actresses, this is where you would go. Of course, such a paradise was expensive to fly to and it was just so convenient for Orochimaru to have connections in such a place. This is the reason why Sasuke and Kimimaro had a hard time finding a hotel to stay in, and even then, they had ended up having to share a room. However, other than debating about their sleeping arrangements, they had work to do. They also knew that the sooner they got it done, the sooner they could go back to Konoha.

"Alright" Kimimaro said, as he looked over the list that Orochimaru had provided them with "we can go to the jewelers and check to see if it's ready, and make sure they got it right. Then we can go and pick out the cloths he asked for" Kimimaro sighed, running a hand through his long white hair. Neither of them had ever been to Chain before, and now they were going to have to find their way around. When they had gotten in, Sasuke had purchased a map of the area and now both of them were ready for a day of walking around in circles. This of course had Sasuke on nerve ends, since the boy never once liked feeling clueless.

It was rare when things became too confusing to Sasuke.

"Yeah, yeah" Sasuke muttered as he kept his eyes on the map, turning it over, his eyes narrowing when he seemed to spot something he didn't like. "I wonder when this crappy map was updated" Sasuke grumbled to himself. "Anyways, I think we have to go down this street and then to the left, and if it's not there, then we can keep going in circles" Sasuke swirled his finger in a circular motion, feeling completely bored with himself.

"You know that this place isn't really updated, seeing as people are always stuck in the drama of someone famous or the other," Kimimaro scoffed as he decided to simply follow Sasuke's lead on where they needed to go. Sasuke on the other hand shrugged his shoulders, not really giving a rats ass about this strange city and simply continued to walk.

Both continued to silently walk towards the jewelry store. It took them several minutes to wonder down the block when a huge glassed building, with painted golden letter reading 'Chains and Jewels' walking into the building through glass doors, they were greeted into a cool and luxurious atmosphere. The floors looked like glass sleeked and colored honey brown, while reflecting the white light of the sun provided by the building as it penetrated lightly blue tinted windows. The place was spacious, marble display cases stood around the building, and sale's people stood behind them dressed in black. A beautiful and elegant contrast to the white walls of the building, giving it an almost intimidating and cold reflect to anyone that came in.

Immediately, a woman who had been helping another woman, whom was seated in a small comfortable white chair trying on even more jewelry despite what she had on, came towards her with a brilliant white smile. She had stylish blond hair wrapped in a neat bun and shimmering brown eyes, pale skin, and red blood painted lips. "Hello dear gentlemen, my name is Clara, is there something I could help you with today?" She asked, pressing both hands together and looking them over.

For a moment both Sasuke and Kimimaro were perplexed by the pleasantry in her voice, and then shook their heads "Ah yes, we are here to inquire about an order for Sound industries" Kimimaro brought out a paper that Orochimaru had given them. The woman took it and looked it over, her eyes flashing and lighting even more. Both males felt that all that was missing was the dollar signs in her eyes as she once more, smiled at them and turned on her side, her hand pointing to two seats just on the far left of the woman she had been helping.

"Oh, gladly, if you two gentlemen will just take a seat and allow me to check on your order"

She then turned around and briskly made her way over to the other side, walking around the guarded glass case and smiling at the woman she had been helping before turning to a door on the other side and walking through it. Both Kimimaro and Sasuke had followed her and then they sat down, each in a chair and were surprised to find that even though the chair looked uncomfortable and was oddly shaped, it was pleasantly comfortable.

"This place is so weird," Kimimaro said making Sasuke grunt in agreement.

"Yeah, I know what you mean; did you hear the way she was talking?"

"Sounds, umm, rich" Kimimaro chuckled, and Sasuke rolled his eyes.

"Too hard, it sounded horrible in my ears" Both continued a light chat making sure no one listened on them when Clara came back. Smiling, she presented the piece of jewelry, setting it before them as gently as she could. Both Sasuke and Kimimaro looked down at the golden thick band, at the center of it there was a dark purple jewel.

"The stones are of excellence, the center gem is a lovely golden Citrine, and the two surrounding ones are decorative Alexandrite in purple" the woman gushed, pointing at the topaz and the purple shimmering, color changing gems on the side. Both Sasuke and Kimimaro affixed their eyes on the shimmering gems that shimmered exquisitely.

"Looks good," Kimimaro said.

Sasuke nodded "Can you show us the inscription?" He asked, never once taking his eyes of the ring.

Kimimaro glanced at the woman as she enthusiastically did as she was asked, delicately raising the ring and turning it around before offering it to Sasuke so he could have a closer look. She bit her lip as Sasuke reached for it, and looked at the words, they were deeply engraved into the gold, and most importantly, they were legible.

It was perfect.

"We'll be taking it now, if you don't mind"

"Well, of course not" She grinned, gently taking the ring out of Sasuke's hands and pushing it again into the velvety cushion of its box. "Just make sure you gentlemen take good care of it," She said, bring out a tiny piece of silk. The two stared at her in disbelief as she made a show of polishing the gems and gold band.

It wasn't until ten long minutes later that she was done 'polishing' the ring that she pressed it back into the cushion of the box, and closed it. She brought out a small gift bag and placed it within before warily handing it over to them. She sighed, stamped the paper that Kimimaro had given to her and returned it as well "It was a pleasure doing business with you gentlemen, I do hope you return for more" by the snide tone in her voice, it was obvious she really did not care for them to return any time soon.

"Well, that went down nicely"

"Really" Sasuke smirked "Let's just get out of here" There was still a lot of things they had to accomplish today, and set orders so they could leave soon. The sooner they finished the better.

Swift City, Uni Campus

"Are you sure we are going to find them here?" Kisame asked, as they had been walking for ours looking for Tobi, but there was still no sign of him. Kisame was tired, and he was also hungry but it did not look like Itachi was going to stop in his search any time soon. The fact that they were walking down Swift University also added to the fact that there was food on campus! The thought alone was so tempting.

"Pein seemed to believe that yes, Tobi should be here" Itachi said, knowing that Tobi had come down here a while back to be close to his old home. Pein and Konan had used to live in Swift City when they became pregnant, and Tobi lived out here for the first thirteen years of his life. Afterwards, Konan and Pein had moved to Konoha, and now at seventeen years old, Tobi was looking to be rebellious. At least, the boy wanted to come here and make it clear to his parents that this is where he belonged. Tobi had decided he wanted to come to school here as well, once he graduated from high school, coming here was so he could check out the school campus. But Tobi had not returned, and according to Pein it was because he had met a woman out here whom he claim to love and want to marry.

It was slightly foolish, seeing as Tobi had not even been out here a month!

"Itachi, seriously, I'm hungry, I bet if I was Sasuke you would be falling over yourself to buy me something to eat" the shark huffed "Some friendship we have"

Itachi frowned, a glare in his eyes "Sasuke would never bitch or demand me to feed him so quit complaining already. You are more than capable of fending for yourself"

"You are so rude Itachi" Kisame tried to pout but only ended up making Itachi more disgusted with him. Shaking his head, the Uchiha began to look around once more, hoping to find Tobi but it was proving to be futile to do so. Deciding that they were not going to find him anywhere in the Student Union, Itachi started to walk out when Kisame grabbed his arm and spun him around.

"Kisame what…ah" Itachi was about to beat up Kisame when the shark man pointed to what had him gaping like a fish out of water. Right before them was Tobi, looking besotted and a woman was pulling him along, a saucy look on her face. Itachi stiffened even more as realization hit him as to who she was. There was no mistaken that unruly set of long thick, coarse raven hair and smiling blue green eyes. However, it could not be…just a few days ago he had mentioned her, but he never thought in his life that he was ever going to see her again.

"There he is Itachi, what should we do"

Coming to his sense, Itachi decided to follow through with his mission and forget about the fact of who was with Tobi. "We are going to get him, what else," Itachi said, pulling his arm away from Kisame and leading the way as Kisame followed closely. Itachi looked over his shoulder to him and the blue man caught his drift and nodded.

"TOBI!" he yelled, a shark like grin crossing his features when he saw Tobi stiffen and turn around to face them, bringing the woman who was pulling him along also full circle.

"Kisame!" He gasped eyes wide, and already baking away. "Ayu, we have to run" he said, pushing on the girl so she would move, but she proved to be a stone as she just stood there. The lack of movement on her part confused him and made him look at her in the face. She was gaping, her mouth working slowly in closing and opening but no words fell from her slightly pinkish lips. Her green-blue startling eyes were wide in shock, a little surprised, scared, and at the same time disbelief played in them. "Ayu?" he questioned.

"Tobi, your parents asked us to come here for you. You are to return to them, I will not have any childishness implied when I am trying to do my job" Itachi started, his voice leveled and professional, clearly addressing a child "Your father asked me to help you finished getting enrolled, as well as get you to do your orientation properly so you can start school soon in September. We will be leaving around Wednesday night to get there on Thursday"

Tobi spat, "No fucking way! Who do you think you are Itachi?" Itachi watched him "You are not that much older than me! So do not try to act like an adult. I am almost eighteen"

"I am still older than you," Itachi stated.

"Besides, if you won't listen to Itachi, you will listen to me. Since I am older than both of you" Kisame spat, crossing his arms, not happy with Tobi's disrespectfulness. Tobi looked like he was about to retaliate with another snappish response when Ayu stepped forward, a hard look on her face as she placed a hand over his shoulder to keep him calm.

"Ayu?" Tobi questioned, a frown of worry and confusion crossing his face.

Ayu was silent for a few moments, and then she spoke, "Itachi," she stated, and Tobi looked crestfallen.

"You know him?" Of course, Ayu ignored him.

"I never thought I was going to see you again" She began again "I…I really can't believe that you are here!" Kisame got a suspicious look on his face and Itachi arched an eyebrow, as elegantly as he could to show he was superior. Although, that was all he did to acknowledge her as he turned his attention back to the now floundering Tobi.

"Come on Tobi, let's get you set" Itachi was clear in this that he wanted nothing to do with Ayu.

Tobi was having none of that "No!" He snapped, a murderous look in his dark eyes, his shaggy raven hair waving in his head as he moved to sharply press his finger into Itachi's chest "I want to know now! How is it that you know my fiancée? Or, how is it that she knows you at all" Itachi angrily pushed his hand away, but it was Kisame who completely removed Tobi away from Itachi and cuffed his arms behind his back. "Gah I just want to know!" Tobi finally spat.

"I don't know her," Itachi stated and was about to continue when he was interrupted.

"That's a lie" Ayu snapped, her eyes flashing with anger "How can you say you don't know me, we were boyfriend and girlfriend back in high school! Don't say that you don't remember" Tobi looked torn up at that admission, more on the way she had said that what had actually had been said. Kisame was shocked, but he managed to keep his cool when he saw that Itachi was not faced by her words.

"Yes, in the past we were, but since then you left." Itachi crossed his arms "It's been years now, I don't know you anymore. I have no idea who you are" and that was the plain truth. The two of them might as well have been two strangers in the world. Seeing, Itachi never heard from her since she left. He did not know anything about her. This caused Ayu to gasp, and looked hurt by his words, causing Tobi to feel torn up that she might still have feelings for Itachi. "Come on Tobi, let's get this business over with"

Tobi shakily nodded his head, his eyes going back to Ayu whom still looked shocked by what Itachi had said. That is his fiancée; there should not be any doubts about her loving him and him loving her. However, she had brought it up, hadn't she? Was there a reason other than she might still be in love with Itachi that she brought it up? All three males were moving to leave the building, when Ayu stopped them all, as she ran ahead of them, blocking their way.

"So…all of your feelings, even our friendship, has vanished from you?" She demanded, looking pleadingly into Itachi's eyes.

"What friendship?" Itachi asked.

"Itachi..You" She growled, but soon directed that anger somewhere else "Whatever, you take your hands off my Fiancée!" she snapped, pointing at Kisame whom still had Tobi cuffed. Before Kisame could tell her to go fuck off, Tobi stopped him and decided to speak.

"Ayu…we need to talk about what has happened here" he started "until then, our engagement is on hold. I'll do what they say and go back and apologize to my father" She must have been always been playing him the fool! However, a part of him wanted to believe that she was not. That she was good, and that she was going to marry him still.

Ayu frowned. "I'll be going with you then" She looked at Itachi and Kisame, expecting them to rebuke her, but neither of them did.

"Good" Itachi finally said when he saw she was not going to move "For an older woman to want to marry a boy is only just going to start school, you should prepare yourself to meet his parents." She was gaping at him now, as she was moved out of the way by Kisame passing her by and Itachi walked around her. However, she could not let him go! She grabbed onto Itachi's arm as he was passing her by and just looked at him, for a moment at a loss for words.

"You know it hurt right?" She asked "I'm not ashamed to admit that I cried because I ever dumped you, seeing you here today is so shocking to me I feel like I have so much to tell you and at the same time, I don't know what that is." She swallowed thickly, as tears welled up in her eyes "I guess what hurts more is that I let you go…I never knew that you could hold my heart so dear, and I just tore myself away from you." There was a small pause, and Itachi pulled his arm away from her but that only made her move more forward "Itachi" she gasped. "I can't watch you walk away again; there are still so many feelings in my heart for you that I never had the chance to tell you…"

"I have no idea what you are talking about" Itachi spoke to keep her from saying any more. Even if Kisame had taken away Tobi that did not give her the right to act the way she was "you just promised Tobi to marry him, why are you saying such things. You and I are never going to happen, ever again"

"You don't get it Itachi! You don't," She snapped, not having listened to a word he said. She wanted him, what she had let go so long ago, she wanted him back! "I Love you!" Tears welled up in her eyes, her pale cheeks puffing into a red color as she added to her aggression.

At that moment, Itachi's cell phone decided to signal him with a new text message. Backing away from her, he pulled it out and looked at who had texted him. 'Itachi, I'm bored, entertain me by texting me something stupid' Just for Sasuke to text he at such a time was such a mood lifter. He would have let a smile grace his face if it was not for the fact that he had a sobbing girl in front of him, one whom had just boldly told him she loves him. Something he found incredibly hard to believe and to accept.

"And you are suppose to marry Tobi?" he asked, arching an eyebrow as he contemplated texting Sasuke back.

"Who just texted you?" she barked in response, her green blue eyes flashing in anger as she tried to snatch his phone away from him, but Itachi was quicker. "Itachi, who the fuck is sending you messages?" She screeched "More when I just confessed myself to you!" At that moment, Itachi decided that he had nothing to say to her.

Itachi ignored her, and texted Sasuke back, and flipped his phone closed "My boyfriend"

She gaped at him and he took opportunity to walk away. By the time she came back to her senses, Itachi was gone and she felt cold. There was no way that Itachi was going to just push away from her when she confessed! There was no way she was going to lose Itachi to anyone! Especially not some…some BOY!

Chain City

'What kind of Stupid do you want me to text you anyways? I'm a genius, I have no idea how to be stupid' Sasuke smiled when he got a text back from Itachi, but gasped when his cell phone was pulled away. "Kimimaro, give it back!"

"You seriously texted him to text you something stupid?" Kimimaro asked, "You are getting too comfortable with him" he chuckled and moved away when Sasuke made a grab for his phone again.

"Shut up, it's just" Sasuke shrugged "I really like him" He knew that alone would keep Kimimaro from teasing him too much. The blatant truth was the best.

"I could tell, you looked like you were going to die if you didn't text him any time soon," Kimimaro said playfully and handed Sasuke his cell phone back. Sasuke happily took it and began to send Itachi a text back. 'Then Act the fool and tell me something good'

"Come on, let's go find something to eat, I'm tired of looking for the cloth store" Sasuke nodded in agreement to Kimimaro's statement. They were hungry and the sun was hot now that it was high noon, almost evening. The only thing left they had to face- finding a proper fast food place they could tolerate.

Thank you to all that review. So...Hello out there fanfiction Land...Um, so it's been quite a bit of time since I updated anything. The guilt.

Well, hope you liked the chapter...Feels lacking to me, but hey. Also Im so sorry if there are spelling mistakes. Im not the best out there. I really have been thinking of going over this fic and correcting a lot of it. Prob should.

Please Review.