I felt the pain, the hot raging pain in my back and wanted to scream again. But the vision of a knife plunging into Itachi's skull and the urge to protect Itachi overruled my pain. I wrenched my arm back, yanked out the knife and with a roar thrust it up into our attackers chest.

He gasped and fell over, dying soon after. I felt the pain engulf my senses and it was too much so I blacked out.

0o0o0o0o0o0o

Itachi clutched Ariana close to him, yanking off his jacket and pressing it against the wound, yelling for help. Blood was pooling from the wound and soaking his jacket. He applied pressure as people came out, gasped and stared. He snarled, "Why were they just standing there? She's not dead!"

He roared furiously, eyes flashing red, "SOMEONE CALL 911! FUCKING CALL AN AMBULANCE!"

Tsuande suddenly appeared at his side and pressed her hands on top of his, "They're coming. Just keep the pressure. Good."

She kept talking to him calmly, Itachi just now noticing Jiraiya yelling into a phone for the ambulance to hurry. Once he was done he snapped at a security guard and he raced away. After that Itachi could only stare at his beloved red head, her face pale and taunt with pain.

A few moments later the paramedics pushed through the door with the gurney. They pushed through the crowd, reached him and quickly began asking questions all of which Itachi answered with a sense of detachment.

He watched the paramedics and focused on what was going on in front of him. Ariana was strapped carefully unto the gurney. The medics were monitoring her blood pressure, making sure that it didn't drop suddenly. The paramedics knew they were going to have to speed to the hospital. The small red head didn't have much time left.

Tsunade barked orders and they rushed Ariana through the crowd to the ambulance. Before she followed she turned and grabbed Itachi's shoulder, "Are you okay, Uchiha?"

The tall man answered in a chilling voice, "The love of my life was just stabbed in front of me. How would you feel?"

Tsunade bit her lip, worried for the couple. She hoped Itachi wouldn't let this break him, because Ariana was going to need him more than ever. That annoying red head was going to need a strong support system in the Uchiha.

She just hoped he could provide it for Ariana. Tsuande suddenly grabbed him in a hug. He tensed but didn't push her away. He was in too much shock, or else he might have killed her.

She pulled away, already seeing the light leaving his eyes. She grabbed his arm, "Come on, you can ride with her."

He let her pull him and Jiraiya stopped him by clasping his shoulder, and then he said gravilly, "Take care of her, I'll call the others."

Itachi nodded, relieved that he didn't have to tell their friends and his little brother that Ariana could... He couldn't even finish the thought so hurried after Tsunade. Jiraiya took a deep breath and made sure Chiyo was in police custody before making the calls to Ariana's friends.

0o0o0o0o0o0

Itachi hardly noticed the ride in the ambulance, all he could focus on was Ariana's labored breath as he clutched her hand. When they got to the hospital, she was rushed to surgery and he was forced to wait in the waiting room.

He tried to sit, but his nerves always drove him to his feet and to pace. He spun as he heard, "ITACHI!"

Sasuke with Naruto, Naruko, Kakashi and Iruka on his heels ran into the hospital. Naruto gasped, "How is she? Jiraiya told us she got stabbed!" Fumiko skid to a stop through the door and Gai jerked to a stop beside her.

Itachi nodded stiffly, almost unable to speak for fear of what might happen, "Yes, she's in surgery right now."

Sasuke put a hand on his shoulder, squeezing it and pushing him to a chair. He let him, surprised that his little brother was being so strong right now. Stronger then he was at the moment. But every time Itachi's thoughts went to what might happen to his red head, his knees went weak and his heart felt like it was being stabbed and ripped from his body.

Sasuke sat next to him, Naruto at his side and Iruka and Kakashi by him. Naruko sat on Itachi's other side, Fumiko and Gai next to her. Naruko reached over and grabbed his chin, forcing him to look at her, "She'll be OK. This is Ariana we're talking about."

She let him go but he still stared at her. Everyone was staring at Naruko who glared right back, "Ariana is stubborn, pig headed sometimes and she hates girly clothes."

She took a deep breath and stood, facing them with her hands on her hips and an aura that left no argument, "She doesn't discriminate, she hates bully's and perverts. She's helped all of us so many times I can't even count. And we've helped her. She's my best friend and she promised that she'd always be around. And Ariana McKing never breaks a promise. But we have to believe she'll pull through."

She looked a bit lost after her speech, not sure what to do next. Naruto smiled a bit and said, "Naruko's right. If we don't believe Ariana will make it, what kind of friends are we?"

Kakashi grunted and leaned back, pulling Iruka to his chest, "I wasn't worried."

Iruka elbowed him and Sasuke pulled Naruto close, smiling proudly at him. Fumiko leaned back against Gai and he hugged her tightly. Naruko sat back by Itachi, who looked at her, showing in his eyes his gratitude but unable to voice it. She smiled softly back, understanding.

Everyone waited nervously and Jiraiya arrived a few minutes later, looking pissed and frazzled. Before anyone could ask he said furiously, "Chiyo hired Mizuki to kill Ariana and Itachi. Chiyo confessed on the way to the police station."

He sat with a heavy thud and sighed next to Gai, "Mizuki probably would have gotten away with it, except our favorite little red head stabbed him in the chest before he could get to you, Itachi."

Tsunade walked in just then, "Luckily she's as short as she is, the knife missed her main artery and spine by a fraction."

Everyone leaped to there feet and shouted questions. She held up her hand and waited for them to be quiet. She let out a tired sigh and said, "She's alive. The knife missed her spine and main artery's. It did pierce a lung but she'll be fine. She's lucky as hell but alive."

Relief emitted from everyone and Tsunade looked at Itachi, "She's asking for you."

He was frozen with relief and Jiraiya nudged him, "Go on. The rest of us can see her tomorrow."

Everyone agreed and Itachi followed Tsunade in a bit of a daze as the others left. When they got to Ariana's hospital room Tsunade put a hand on his shoulder before he could go, "Would you like to stay over night?"

He nodded slightly and she let him go, "I'll get you an extra blanket."

She left him to enter and he opened the door quietly, walking in silently and shutting the door silently behind him. He gazed at the small form on the bed, hooking up to an IV and heart monitor that beeped showing that she was indeed alive.

Walking up to the bed he gently took the hand outside the blanket and he watched as Ariana's eyes slowly opened and looked at him.

0o0o0o0o

When I finally came to, I found that I was in a hospital bed and Tsunade sighed in relief beside me, "Well brat, you sure gave us a scare."

I blinked to get my vision to focus and noticed her face pale and tired. I weakly smiled and said, "Hi."

I flinched as the right side of my back throbbed painfully. She asked quickly, "Do you hurt? We gave you some pain killers but if it's not enough I can give you more."

I began to nod but then I remembered why I hurt and gasped, "Itachi! Where? Is he ok?"

She quickly put a hand on my forehead and said gently, "Easy, you'll make your injuries worse. He's fine, and he and the others are out in the waiting room right now."

I thought frantically, "He must be so worried!"

I asked softly, trying not to breath, "Can I see him?"

Tsunade eyed me and finally nodded, "Only if you get some sleep."

I nodded eagerly and she left. I closed my eyes to try and will the pain away. It began to fade and I felt my heart throb painfully as I realized how close I came to dying. Or worse, Itachi dying. I tried to calm down and then heard footsteps.

0o0o0o0o0o

Ariana's eyes opened more and she smiled softly and croaked with a dry throat, "Some party."

Her breathing sounded labored, like it hurt to breath. She gripped his hand weakly and his knees gave out with relief and happiness that she was alive. He sat heavily in the chair and she watched him, worry etching on her pale face, "Are you ok?"

He nodded reaching up and brushing the hair from her cheek, "Fine. I'm fine, now that I know your ok."

She smiled and whispered, her eyes beginning to droop, "I told you I'd never leave you Meathead."

Her eyes suddenly snapped open and she asked fearfully, "Just, please don't leave."

He moved up and cupped her cheeks in his hand, leaning down, "I won't. I promise I won't leave."

Relief flooded her face and he kissed her gently, "Sleep love. I'm right here."

Her eyes drooped as he sat back, holding her hand and she clutched it tightly as she fell asleep. He leaned forward and kissed her cheek, "I won't ever leave you."

Feeling his energy beginning to run out, he laid his other arm on the bed beside her and rested his head on it, falling asleep a few moments later.

Tsunade found him like that and smiled softly. She put the blanket over his shoulders, and he didn't even stir as she tip toed out.

0o0o0o0o0o

The next morning, Itachi woke up wondering where he was. Then he looked at the hand he grasped and everything came whooshing back to him. He shot up and looked around, still a bit confused and then looked at his sleeping red head. She still breathed like she was in pain, but she looked to be sleeping as peacefully as possible.

He reached up and brushed aside her bangs, saying softly, "Ariana. Wake up."

When nothing happened he began to worry. He tried to wake her and spun as Tsunade came in. He demanded, "Why won't she wake?"

Tsunade came up and checked Ariana over and the machines. She said softly, "She's in a coma to recover from her injuries. She'll wake up when she's ready."

Itachi stared at her, wondering why the hell she was saying this so calmly.

Tsunade saw his look and explained, "I'm surprised she even woke up after the surgery. With her injuries she'll need rest and time to heal."

She patted his shoulder gently, heading for the door, "This room is private so don't worry about other patients being here. I'll call Jiraiya and he can tell the others what's going on."

Itachi nodded a bit dumbly, taking up Ariana's smaller hand tightly in his big one. Tsunade watched silently and then left to leave them alone.

Itachi moved the chair closer to the bed and he gazed at her pale sleeping face and whispered, "Please, come back to me Ariana. Please."

She didn't wake and he thought back to last night. How they were holding each other on the balcony, telling each other that they loved each other. Then it all shattered, when that stupid bastard hurt his precious red head.

A flood of rage swamped through him as he thought about who was responsible for this. That bitch Chiyo.

Then just as quickly, his rage disappeared to be taken over by loneliness and sorrow. He thought fearfully to himself, kissing her palm gently, "She means so much to me. I would give her the world. Anything, just to have her wake up and say something sarcastic. Or just wake up so that I can say how sorry I am this happened to her."

With his other hand, Itachi reached up and brushed those fiery red strands that fell messily on her face away from her forehead. Then those long fingers trailed down the soft skin of her face down to his love's jaw. Itachi's thumb rubbed Ariana's jaw in tender motion.

Itachi suddenly bit his lip when he felt his eyes start to sting. He hadn't cried since his parents died years ago. But this wasn't the same pain. He thought fearcily and sadly, "Ariana isn't supposed to be laying in this bed in a coma! She was supposed to be at work today with me! Complaining about long meetings, picking on the staff or giving me those sweet kisses that she knows I like so much."

The dark haired man brushed away the tears that fell off his cheeks. He hoped beyond hope that Ariana really wouldn't have any lasting damage from that woman's fuck up. He got up from his seat and stood over Ariana. With the beeping of the machine reminding him that she was alive, Itachi leaned down and laid a kiss against Ariana's pale lips. He pulled back and stared at his unconscious girlfriend. The Uchiha took his seat again and grasped Ariana's hand.

He lost track of time as he stared at her and about mid morning the others showed up. Itachi stood when there was a knock and Naruko pushed the door open. She asked softly as Sasuke and Naruto followed her inside, "How is she? Any change?"

Itachi shook his head and Naruto set a bouquet of roses on the side table and Itachi realized they were the same roses from last night. He scowled at them and Naruto said sternly, "She loved those roses you brought her. Don't toss them out just because this happened."

He scowled at him, but it didn't reach his eyes. Naruto grinned and Sasuke held out a duffel bag to him, "Go shower and change Brother. We'll watch her."

He took the bag but didn't move, uncertain. Naruko rolled her eyes and promptly shoved him towards the bathroom, "Go! We'll shout if anything happens. You don't want her waking up and you look like shit."

He finally gave in, put his nose in he air as if he had already planned on it and stiffly walked into the bathroom. They didn't relax until they heard the shower running. Naruto smiled at Ariana, "You better wake up soon Ariana. Itachi just isn't the same without you."

Sasuke shook his head in amazement, "I've never seen him like this. It's kind of scary."

Naruto nodded, "Like he's going to snap at any minute and chop peoples heads off."

Kakashi walked in just then with Iruka, Gai and Fumiko, all carrying a present, "Yeah, except he'll do it with a smile."

Iruka nudged him as he and Kakashi set down two more bouquets of flowers on the other side table and Gai set a huge teddy bear in the corner and Fumiko set a picture of Ariana's parents next to the bouquet of roses.

Fumiko set on the bed next to Ariana and asked, "No change?"

Naruko shook her head and asked Kakashi, "Did you get things sorted with Kisame?"

He nodded and said confidently, "He'll take care of everything, only calling Itachi if it's an emergency. I also warned him that if he slacked at all, I'd toss him off the building naked."

Gai nodded and said brightly, "And I'd help."

Fumiko snickered and Sasuke smirked. Naruko and Naruto laughed, while Iruka just rolled his eyes. They were all forcing their happiness, for the girl unconscious on the bed. Everyone turned to look as Itachi came out of the bathroom, now dressed in comfy black jeans and a black t shirt. He was tying his hair back and froze when he saw he was being stared at.

He finished with his hair and Kakashi said, "Kisame can take care of stuff at the company, and I'm heading there now to help. And make sure he doesn't slack."

Itachi nodded, his face softening slightly in thanks, "Good, and have him cancel all meetings until further notice."

He nodded and Fumiko nudged Gai as Itachi sat back in the chair. Gai smiled brightly and said, "I must get back to work as well. Fumiko, would you like a ride?"

She nodded and hopped off the bed. She looked at Itachi, making sure he looked her in the eye, "Please, call us if there's any change."

He nodded and said firmly, "I will. And I'll keep her safe."

Fumiko smiled softly, nodded and left with Gai. Iruka and Kakashi left next. Then Naruko and the boys, Naruko going back to work and the boys back home, since it was summer vacation. Itachi stayed, taking up Ariana's hand once more.

Jiraiya arrived half an hour later and set down a big box of chocolates and a bouquet of white lily's. Having just got done talking to Tsunade, he didn't ask how Ariana was and sat heavily the second chair next to Itachi. Itachi turned to face him. Jiraiya took a deep breath and said almost in relief, "Chiyo is dead."

Itachi blinked and raised an eyebrow. Jiraiya shrugged, "She had a dose of poison hidden in her clothes. She took it just as she entered the police station and dropped dead."

Itachi snorted, "Good. It would have been worse for her when I got my hands on her."

Jiraiya nodded and almost snarled, "Same here."

Itachi looked surprise for a minute, then studied Jiraiya's blank face as he gazed at Ariana. Itachi leaned back, looking at his love again, "It's not your fault."

Jiraiya's head whipped around to stare at him. Itachi smiled faintly, "That's what she'd tell us. She'd yell and whack us over the head, saying that shit happens and life goes on."

Jiraiya blinked and then smiled softly, "She would. Then hug us and demand we take her out for cake."

Itachi nodded and they were both silent for a bit. Then Jiraiya smacked his knees and stood, "I have business to discuss, you'll stay here?"

Itachi nodded and Jiraiya grinned, "call me if you need anything."

Then without waiting for an answer, he strode out the door with a purpose. Itachi turned his attention back to Ariana and wondered vaigly what kind of business Jiraiya had.

0o0o0o0o0o

Tsunade came in around noon, checked Ariana over and a nurse walked in behind her with a tray of food. She set it down on a small table at the side and Tsunade motioned at it, "Eat Itachi, before you collapse. Ariana is doing fine."

Itachi glared, not liking the ordering voice she used. He'd eat when he damn well pleased. She seemed to read his mind and smirked, "If you collapse, I'll have you locked in another room."

He glared fully now and she looked amused while she walked out and the nurse fled. Itachi waited about ten minutes before going over to the food and eating as much as he could. He retook his seat by Ariana and grasped that small hand gently. With his other hand, his rubbed Ariana's arm up and down in a soothing motion. He hoped his firey red head would be able to feel his love and support.

He wanted Ariana to feel that he was here for her and would continue to be here for her because he loved her so much.

Itachi smiled at Ariana, he would be strong for the both of them because Ariana wouldn't expect anything less from her Meathead. Itachi wanted to be the kind of man Ariana could be proud of. Because as soon as Ariana was better, Itachi was going to take some time away from work and just pamper his love. They would go on dates, travel, and what ever else Ariana wanted to do.

Itachi began to feel drowsy now that he had ate and laid his dark head beside Ariana's hip on the bed. He thought drowsily to himself, "I just need to rest my eyes for a minute."

Ariana was so warm and inviting, luring him to a peaceful place inside his mind. Itachi Uchiha was asleep in a matter of minutes. And Tsunade smirked from the doorway, glad the drugs had finally taken effect. She knew Itachi would need to be rested and well for when Ariana woke, so that he could be a strong support for her.

Itachi slept through the day and through the night. Until the next morning.

0o0o0o0o0o

Itachi thought sleepily to himself, "This is strange. It has to be a dream because Ariana is in a coma."

But it felt so real. Fingers had tugged his hair from his ponytail and were running smoothly through it and then massaging the scalp gently. Just the way Ariana knew he loved it. He knew it had to be a dream because Ariana was in a coma.

Sleepy coal eyes cracked opened lazily, he saw hazel green eyes staring at him. Itachi blinked and then closed his eyes again.

He still felt those fingers and he heard a breathless giggle.

Itachi's eyes snapped open to find Ariana watching him with those expressive hazel eyes and a soft smile on her lips. Itachi sat up straighter and wet his lips. "A-Ariana? You're awake and…" His eyes were prickling again with tears.

Ariana smiled wider, and croaked "Yes, Itachi. I'm awake,"

Ariana pulled the oxygen from her nose gently and waited for her boyfriend to react. Itachi was staring at her in wonderment. Those coal eyes were wide and unfocused.

She smiled and spoke softly, throat dry, "Water?"

Itachi shot out of the chair and snatched his water bottle from the bedside table. He unscrewed the cap and went closer to Ariana until the bottle's opening was close to her lips. Ariana tipped her head back a little and Itachi leveled the bottle to give Ariana a bit of the water at a time.

Ariana took a few more sips before Itachi took it away and closed the bottle. He placed the bottle back on the bedside table. Then he took Ariana's hands in his and interlaced their fingers. "How are you feeling? Do you need me to call a doctor?"

0o0o0o

I smiled at Itachi. My boyfriend was so caring. "No, no doctors yet. I just want to talk to you. I feel like crap and my side hurts. But I'm fine. See?"

Itachi saw her wiggling her toes from under the blanket. Itachi didn't know what he did to receive such an amazing resilient person in his life but he was glad Ariana was here. "So, you're okay?" The black haired man asked skeptically.

I gazed at him and then promptly reached up and touched his cheek, smile still there, "Yes, I'm still lethargic. But that's to be expected, right?"

The smile slipped from my lips and I realized how much Itachi must have worried and I could only imagine what Itachi went through. I asked sadly,"How are you? I know me getting stabbed must have been traumatic for you. And for that I am sorry."

Itachi stared at Ariana unwaveringly. It was the kind of stare someone gave when they were was falling in love with the other person all over again. Itachi grasped the sides of Ariana's face softly, his thumbs rubbing those velvet cheeks. "Never apologize for something that was out of your control. I don't want you thinking about me at all. You need to concentrate on yourself. You need to get better so this nightmare can be over."

With that said, Itachi gave those soft full lips a kiss and he felt like he was melting when Ariana kissed him back without a second thought. Itachi tilted Ariana's head back gently and she opened her mouth.

Itachi tasted his red head.

Tasted what had almost been taken away from him.

He mentally went through in his mind the torturous things he would have done to that damn hit man and Chiyo before killing them.

I pulled away and a tear ran down my cheek as I felt the weight of everything settle over me. Itachi looked alarmed and a sob escaped my lips. I wrapped my arms around Itachi's neck and pulled him down for a hug, or attempted to at least. Itachi had to move for me since I didn't have the strength.

But I just wanted to be close to Itachi. I felt him run a hand down my back soothingly, while the other hand caressed my hair, lovingly.

He asked worried, "Ariana?"

My back was flaring in pain but I didn't care. I had almost lost Itachi. That other knife was going right for his head, if I hadn't killed that man...

Then the deep horror of what I had done swamped me and I cried harder. I hardly noticed Itachi picking me up gently and sitting on the bed, me curled up on his lap, crying my eyes out on his shoulder.

Itachi knew he couldn't get any answers for the moment so held me and talked soothingly to me as he waited for me to calm down. It took a while and when I finally had no tears left, I rubbed my cheeks like a kid, trying to breath over the intense pain from the stab wound in my back.

As I got my breath back I thought over the man that had died by my hands and realized I didn't regret it. It was either him or Itachi, and I'd choose Itachi every time. Itachi looked down at me, extremely worried and I whispered, "It could have ended worse then it did."

He instantly knew what I was talking about and he kissed my temple, "But it didn't. Your alive and will get through this without a hitch. And I'm fine."

He put a finger under my chin and made me look at him. He rubbed a stray last tear from my cheek with his thumb and smiled lovingly at me, "We're both alive and I still love you."

He leaned forward and pressed his forehead to mine, gazing into my eyes and speaking nothing but the absolute truth, "I love you Ariana."

I couldn't help but smile back lovingly and I tilted my head, "And I love you Itachi."

We kissed, a soul searching kiss that left me weak at the knees. When he pulled away he carefully lifted me and set me on the bed, putting the pillows so that I could sit up without pain. I looked at him curiously and he said, "I need to call Jiraiya and the others to tell them your awake. And tell Tsunade to give you some pain killers."

I pouted and said, "But I'll fall asleep again."

He gave me his crooked smile and pecked my lips, "Yes, but the more sleep you get the faster you'll get well."

When I still didn't look too happy about it he added, "And the sooner we can go on vacation."

My eyes widened and he nodded, "Just the two of us. Ok? Now will you rest?"

I nodded eagerly and as he stepped away I asked softly, almost afraid that if I lost sight of him he'd disappear, "You'll be back right?"

He nodded and said firmly, "Absolutely."

I smiled softly, relieved and he walked out. I rested against the pillow and screwed my eyes shut, biting my lip as the pain seemed to double. I had tried to hide it for Itachi's sake but he had seen right through me.

Tsunade arrived alone a few minutes later and instantly gave me a pain killer when she saw my face. I sighed in relief as it kicked in a few minutes later and she smiled softly at me, "Glad to see you awake. Now the others will hopefully stop calling me asking about you, 50 times a day!"

I felt blood rush to my face, "Oh, well I guess their all worried."

She snorted, "You think?"

I shook my head, hiding a grin, "Not much now a days."

She blinked, not expecting that and then laughed. She shook her head at me and asked, "I gave you a low dose of painkillers so you won't feel too sleepy. You hungry?"

I nodded and suddenly the door burst open and everyone rushed in carrying take out boxes. Gai grabbed Fumiko before she could pounce and then she and Naruko claimed the bed at my sides, Naruko careful of my right side. Kakashi and Iruka carried in extra chairs and Sasuke and Naruto claimed the foot of my bed.

I was speechless at everyone coming in. Jiraiya grinned proudly next to Itachi, who looked smug.

I guessed they were the masterminds behind this and grinned widely. I said happily, "Sorry for worrying you all."

Konan set a bag of candy next to one of the huge Teddy Bears, "You can't go anywhere without getting hurt can you?"

I snorted, grinning to show I knew she was kidding, "It's a skill I try to perfect. Clearly I need more practice."

She shook her head and Naruto poked my foot and then pointed out all the gifts and told me who brought them as I got a box of food and some chop sticks. Then Kakashi told both Itachi and I what was going at the company and his threat to Kisame. Then Gai chimed in how he offered to help and I chuckled slightly, careful of laughing because then my side would hurt.

Naruto pulled out a book of new designs and then Fumiko told me about a new program she was working on. Everyone chatted and was having a good time. I looked up to look at Itachi and he was looking very smug and pleased. And I realized he invited everyone to ease their worries and to ease mine. I smiled at him, thanking him with my eyes.

He winked and my attention then turned to Fumiko as she said firmly, "Now when your rested, you'll go on vacation with Itachi. And we'll take care of everything."

She waved her hand at everyone who were nodding firmly. I chuckled and waved my hands like I was surrendering, "Yes ma'am."