New chap already? WTF? Am I good, or am I good? ^^

Disclaimer: I do not own the Naruto characters or Universe.

Claimer: I do own Ami, Hina and Chieko along with the plot in this story.

To my reviewers!:

VampireGirl Shiori Uchiha

Cheetay

ENJOY PEOPLE! ^^

Chapter 25: Them

One and a half year had passed and the Akatsuki had gotten further with their plans than suspected. Hina and Ami had taken up dancing to get money, which they earned a lot on and the two plus Chieko had also started singing, which they earned more on. Ami usually took the emotionfilled songs about love. Chieko usually took the high-tones, and Hina often sang rock-songs.

They had played in a lot of different pubs and other stuff. The Akatsuki took turns on when they would go with them, and the most eventful that had happened when they did, was when Hidan and Sasori went. That was… interesting.

Chieko was the only one who could stop them from fighting. It had also revealed their affiliation with the Akatsuki, and the bad thing was they didn't use disguises, meaning most of Konoha already knew Hina, Ami and Chieko were a part of the organization. Hina used the nights praying to Kami that Sasuke hadn't figured it out.

But one thing the girls had reserved them for was to draw out the bijuu from another person. They wouldn't do that. And neither would they hunt them, and should they encounter one, they wouldn't fight them, only tell their location to another one in the organization.

However, the three girls had decided that should they meet Naruto, they wouldn't tell, even if Zetsu was nearby. They would never betray their friends. Even though he wasn't their friend anymore.

Konan had hinted to them that Pein already knew this, but he also knew there was nothing he could do about it. He knew they would rather die, and if that happened, the entire organization would fall apart. Sasori, Hidan, Itachi and Deidara would freak out and go into complete emo-mode, most likely leaving the organization, making them loose one of the strongest in it.

But something was wrong with Pein. Something the three C's would never have noticed unless they paid attention. He left on secret trips all the time, not telling. The reason why he didn't tell was because he left at night and was back in the morning.

The girls had noticed this, because they preferred training when it was dark and raining, making their vision rather dull. They had to be able to sense and see things in the dark as well as being able to hit them. But during the year and a half, nothing much had changed.

Deidara and Ami were still together, and she and Hina did everything they could to get Chieko and Sasori together. The two girls both knew that the soon-to-be couple knew they liked each other, but both were too, well, either stubborn or embarrassed to say anything. Ami and Hina did everything they could to get them alone in the same room, and then, of course, spy.

But Hidan was a problem. He seemed to like Chieko as well, but Chieko never gave the impression that she liked him, so the two C's were a bit worried that the silver-haired would do something he wasn't supposed to.

Right now, Hina was sitting in the living-room being rather quiet for once. The reason was that she was reading a book by Jiraiya that she had always loved. And, no, it wasn't the darn porn books. It was 'The Tales of a Gutsy Ninja'.

She and Ami, when they were young, had broken into the yondaime's office and found the copy. It was a sort of a treasure-hunt. They had gotten two huge candybars for winning, and the joy that day so long ago had been so pleasant.

He had also told them that he and Kushina were planning on calling their son for Naruto like the main character in the book. Everything had seemed so easy back then. Then a presence made itself known to Hina and she smiled as Itachi laid his hands on her shoulders.

"What are you reading?" he asked quietly.

"'The Tales of a Gutsy Ninja'," Hina said softly, looking into his red eyes.

"I've never heard of it," Itachi said and sat down in the couch next to his lover.

"I know, but I think you know the writer," Hina said.

"Who?" Itachi asked simply.

"Jiraiya," Hina said and Itachi raised his eyebrows in surprise.

"Really? I didn't think he wrote children's books," he said and Hina nodded.

"No one usually does," she said.

"I heard you and Ami have a mission?" Itachi then asked.

Hina nodded. "We're going to the Country of Fire to get some information from an insider," she said.

Itachi leaned in and kissed her forehead. "Be careful," he said and Hina smiled.

"I never do anything rash," she said.

"Hn," Itachi said.

Hina rolled her eyes. "Whuuutever. But now that you mention it, I guess I have to go get ready," she said and closed the book.

Itachi rose along with her. It had become a habit for them to help the other get ready. They shared the same room, which had come as no surprise to anyone.

Hina and Ami were now partners and had completed a lot of missions during the year. Chieko and Zetsu weren't really partners, but they often helped each other on big missions. Sometimes Chieko came with Ami and Hina on their missions as well, in case they needed to locate someone.

As Hina and Itachi reached the room, he opened the door for her, something she only let him do. She walked in with a small smile and walked directly to the closet.

"What are the mission's risks?" Itachi asked.

"An attack from the nearby temple. Also them requesting backup from Konoha," Hina said.

Itachi frowned. "How do you feel about that?" he asked.

"If they do, we have a backup plan. Meaning we're bringing Cozy with us so she can keep an eye out for trouble," Hina explained.

"That's not what I asked," Itachi said silently.

Hina stopped looking for clothes. She turned to Itachi slowly with sad eyes. "I don't want them to think I'm a criminal, but if that's what takes for me to be with you, I will," she said.

Itachi walked up to her and took her face in his hands. "I don't want to give you so much sorrow," he said silently.

Hina shook her head as much as she could in his hands. "The only sorrow you give me is how your life turned out. If you could go through that, I will go through this," she said.

Itachi frowned. "But I don't want you to," he said.

"I know. But I don't care," Hina said, "I love you, 'Tachi. And there's no way I'll leave you unless you want me to."

"I-"

"And I'm not thinking about how you don't want me to do this for you. I'm thinking about what you want," she interrupted.

Itachi clenched his teeth.

"I know you hate this world, 'Tachi. But this world is the only one. Let's make the best out of it, okay?" Hina asked.

Itachi smiled. "I really don't know how I managed without you," he said.

Hina smirked. "Me neither. I'm just sooo brilliant and cool, and you were, like, so sad you didn't tell me," she mocked.

Itachi rolled his eyes, but he was still smiling. Hina locked her arms around his waist, and stretched. She softly placed her lips on his and he bent down so she didn't have to stand on her toes. Their lips moved together in a steady rhythm. Both had their eyes closed and just enjoyed the feeling of staying so close.

Hina was so happy when she was with him. They had always been like this. So close, yet so far away. This was who they were. Hina belonged to Itachi. Itachi belonged to Hina.

This was them.

Okay, I liked this chapter. A bit more serious than the last one, though. Oh well. I hope you liked it, and if you did, review and make me happy, the way this story might make you happy! ^^

You know you love me
XOXO

-Gaaras Devil