Chapter 37: Seeing Stars

Once I was completely out of sight from those guys, I started to run. Itachi hadn't wanted me to be anywhere around them, and now he was asking me to join? It didn't make sense. I couldn't lead them back to my home, so now I was headed in a different direction, towards the hot springs. If I went there at least I could relax and contemplate my invitation in peace.

When I reached the hotspring's hotel, I quickly bought out a room, tucked away my important items, then headed to the girls hot spring. It was a relief to be the only one there and I sank into the water, blowing a few frazzled bubbles.

What to do...? I can't run from this and don't plan to, however...I have to come up with an answer by tomorrow... I don't want to join a group of people who I would rather turn their heads in for money than hang around with...

I sighed and stared into the waters, resting my back on the edge. On the other hand...I may find more answers in my travels with them than I have been...and I'd at least be able to gather more information on this organization. Who are they? Why does their group exist? What is their goal? Why do they want me? What would my purpose be? How would I react to a bunch of criminals? How would they react to me? My head started to hurt from all these questions and I decided to call it a night. I entered my room and slid down the door after closing it. My eyes were shut as I held my head.

"Is it a hard decision?" I looked up to see Itachi leaning against the wall, arms crossed as he peered at me. He wasn't wearing his coat, thankfully. This usually signified that he didn't have a role to play.

I wasn't surprised to see him but my guard was up. "Did you all follow me? I swear...if that Zetsu guy is creeping around here I'll take his head..."

A small smirk spread across his lips and he shook his head. "It's just me."

I sighed, putting my head back against the door. "Why would you ask me to join, Itachi? You told me to stay away from your gang."

He sighed. "It's an Organization, Shikara...and ever since word got out about the Angel of Death, they've had their sights on you." He calmly approached me, crouching down and looked into my eyes. "You don't know...do you?"

I peered at Itachi, removing my hands from my head. "Know what?"

His features became gentle. "You've been labeled as an S-Class criminal, for the murder of people not listed in the Bingo Books."

My eyes widened. "That...was nearly two years ago...why now?" Up until this point I was only a missing nin.

Itachi sighed. "It seems that someone who bears a grudge made sure to do extensive investigations in order to make sure you were labeled as such."

My voice came as a whisper. "Danzo..."

Itachi gave a slight nod. My eyes closed and my hands returned to my head. "So...in order for me to remain under your protection...you want me to join the Akatsuki..." I watched his handsome features become softer as he gently brought my hands down. I hadn't realized that I was shaking and he took me into his arms. My eyes were sullen and I rested my forehead on his shoulder, clearing my mind as I had been training to for the last eight months so that I could remain under control.

...

Shikara's body was trembling. The news caught her by surprise but she had to know. She was being the hunted now and with her track record, it was on both sides, both ANBU and criminals alike were out for her blood. She couldn't continue to move around as freely as she had been before and much less without someone beside her to have her back. She may be a powerful Shinobi but there were limits to that power and he knew she wouldn't purposely use it to harm the innocent, even if they were attacking her first.

She leaned back to look at him with a blank expression. "I won't join, Itachi-sama."

"I can't protect you if you don't."

A sad smile crossed over her lips. "I refuse to let them label me as something I'm not. For me to join the Akatsuki...I would only be validating their accusations. Those other men may have not been in the Bingo Books...however it was only a matter of time before they were." She slowly stood, supporting her back against the door again.

Itachi stood with her and took her hand "Shikara...you don't have to prove anything to anyone."

She looked completely defeated, expression blank as she thought about the situation. "Excuse me...I need to put something more...appropriate on." She slipped past him, grabbed a change of normal, everyday clothes and disappeared into the bathroom.

She was in there for quite a while before he lightly knocked on the door. She didn't answer so he opened it to peek in and saw her leaning forward against the vanity, with her head in her hands, still in the towel. Silent tears fell from her as he slowly entered. She didn't react at all to him as he wrapped his arms around her waist from behind. "You don't have to hide from me." She turned and buried herself into his chest. He wasn't sure what to do other than just hold her.

Eventually she wiped away the tears and gave him a weak smile. "Life is full of surprises, isn't it? I've been trying so hard to be the heroine behind the scenes, protecting the people of this land...it's what kept me going all this time...having the hope that I could bring peace by taking out anyone who threatens the safety of the people." She gave a soft, sarcastic laugh, "This all seems like a bad joke...however...being labeled as the villain won't change any of that..." The gleam in her eyes slowly returned. "It's even a little more exciting, now."

Itachi couldn't help but to have a soft grin. She always bounced back, no matter how bad a situation seemed. "Are you ready to join the ranks as a 'good' criminal?"

She eyed him and softly spoke. "You're a double agent again...aren't you?"

Itachi smirked. "In a sense...am I convincing?"

She nodded. "Very convincing." She then blushed nervously, peering off to the side, avoiding his gaze. "It's hard to believe that it's really you...while you play the part..."

...

I was nervous to tell him that. I could feel his gaze as he contemplated what I said. "Shikara...there's a side of me that I had abandoned...a long time ago...before seeing you again." He explained.

I peered up at him. "What do you mean?"

He stared at me for a moment before deciding to explain further. "I abandoned my sense of self to play the part."

My eyes dropped. "That's why you were able to hurt Sasu-kun..." It came out as a whisper.

He took my chin and lifted it. The look in his eyes showed sorrow. "Sasuke...can't know the truth behind the murder of the clan...Shikara...but since I've found you again...I think things are...changing."

I felt my teeth clench before I could respond. "That's not fair to you or him...to live life with the one blood family you have, hating you because you'd rather him believe lies..." my eyes narrowed. "You both deserve better."

...

Shikara was just as defensive of him and Sasuke as Itachi was of her. The compassion she showed especially for his younger brother made Itachi realize how much she still cared. The way she was now glaring up at him and almost scolding him for the choices he's made filled his heart with more appreciation for her than ever before. This feeling caused Itachi to slightly blush and he bowed his head to hide it.

...

I was glaring up at Itachi, I just couldn't understand why he thought that the way he treated Sasuke was comprehensible. When Itachi bowed his head, I gently took it with both of my hands and made him look at me. "I don't understand some things...and maybe it's better that way...but eventually the truth will find him and it will only hurt him more."

Itachi's eyebrow arched at my words, causing me to blush and release his head. When he closed his eyes with a slight smile, I felt a little embarrassed to have scolded him and turned a little more pink, realizing that I had done it still only wearing a towel.

"Um, Itachi?" I felt my blush darken as he peered at me with questioning eyes. "Maybe we can speak more...after I've changed..."

A grin replaced the small smile over his lips before he poked me on the forehead and turned to leave, giving me some privacy. I closed the door behind him before changing into black short shorts and a purple tank top. I styled my hair and then let it fall down my left side before exiting the bathroom, finding Itachi laying on one side of the bed. His arms were raised over his head which rested on his hands. His eyes were closed and I sighed, peering at his handsome, sleeping form. He looked really sweet when he slept. I went and sat on the edge of the base of the bed, looking to the ceiling for answers. I still needed to make my decision about joining the Akatsuki.

I was so distracted by my own thoughts that I hadn't realized that Itachi had woken up from his cat nap and was sitting behind me...watching me. I turned to look at his sleeping form again and instead met his gaze.

"Ah-!" He covered my lips with a soft kiss. My eyes widened in surprise and he gently pulled back to give me a teasing look.

"It's hard to sleep when someone keeps sighing at the base of the bed." He simply stated.

"Oh...my apologies." My eyebrows creased as I looked at him, perplexed. He rolled his eyes at me before grabbing me and pulling me into the bed with him. "Itachi-!" I started to object but he kissed me again, more passionately this time. I sighed against him in defeat before returning his kiss and melting in to him to truly enjoy it.

Apparently he was in no mood to talk anymore but rather silence me with kisses and distracting me as he caressed my body with one hand. His fingers traced down my spine and all the way down to my tailbone. It sent sparks all the way up my body and I felt him grin against me. His fingers then traced back up my side and I broke the kiss with a gasp. My eyes opened again, wide with embarrassment.

He looked at me with question and I blushed. "I-I think I'm sensitive..." it sounded like a confession and it peaked Itachi's curiosity. He took one of my legs and put it over his waist and placed his hand on my hip before taking claim to my lips again. He bit my lip and a soft whimper escaped and I blushed.

He pulled back again, releasing my lip and he observed me with amusement. "You are rather sensitive tonight, aren't you...?"

My eyes narrowed at him. "It's not funny."

The look he gave me said otherwise before he rolled over on top of me. He brushed my hair aside to kiss my neck and a shiver ran up my spine. I clenched my teeth to keep noises from escaping me. He pulled back to see this and gave me a slight look of annoyance. "Are you keeping yourself from me?" I stared up at him, my lips sealed shut. More amusement crossed his handsome face and he leaned down to whisper in my ear. "I don't like it when you refrain from me." I could feel his grin against my neck and I started to feel a little nervous.

My toes started to curl as his lips traced my neck line, my heart rate rose higher and higher, "Ita-!" I tried to protest as his teeth came down on a very sensitive part of my neck and a very loud moan escaped from my core. I gasped and threw a hand over my mouth as he released my neck, then proceeded to remove my hand from my mouth and held it over my head. He took my other hand and did the same before returning to nipping and teasing my neck. Gasps and small moans escaped me and my face became more and more red.

"Nnnnn-aahhhh!" I couldn't contain myself any longer as Itachi had me at his mercy. I hadn't realized that my knees were squeezing his waist. It was supposed to be a subconscious defensive response but as Itachi looked at me with a feint blush, it had triggered a very different response from him.

...

The last nip of her neck caused Shikara to moan and squeeze his waist with her knees. She was straddling him now and he felt his body respond to her in a way he hadn't intended. She was blushing up at him, her breath had become heavy from fighting the alluring noises he brought out of her. Itachi tried to take a few deep breaths himself in attempt to calm what was happening between his angel's legs.

"I-Itachi..." She breathed, slowly releasing his waist.

He peered into her beautiful eyes and realized that he couldn't calm himself. As he tried to draw himself back her arms wrapped around his neck and she kissed him passionately. He closed his eyes, returning the kiss with just as much passion and intensity. His hand trailed up, underneath her top and rose it up higher and higher, exposing her flat abdomen. He felt her draw in a breath, wrapping her legs around his waist and pulling his hips closer to feel his shaft hardening against her.

"Shikara..." He was trying to not take her purity right now. It wasn't the time for that but she was making it very difficult for him. She peered up at him with dreamy eyes.

"Please...Itachi-sama..."

A slight smile appeared over his lips and with her begging him the way she had, he lost his control. He wanted her just as much as she craved him and he fully removed her top, exposing her breasts. Her eyes widened as he took each of her nipples and traced them with his tongue. She gasped and arched her back and as she did, he took advantage to remove her shorts and underwear smoothly. Her blush redened as he touched her area, slipping a finger between the lips and massaging the small bean he found. Her moans were sensual and he continued to tease her nipples, he grew harder with every sexy noise that escaped her. He felt her fingers pulling at his waistband and helped her slip his pants down. He continued to play with her, being praised with her gasps and whimpers. When he felt her becoming wet he moved his body up and stole another passionate kiss and the tip of his large dick lightly pressed against the tight opening. She cringed as he brought his hips down and gasped as he broke through the barrier. As he pulled back he heard her whimper against his lips and he was kissing her more softly now.

He would claim her gently and when her soft cries and whimpers turned into moans and other sounds of sheer pleasure, he would show her his love the way he wanted. It didn't take long for this to occur and his rhythm increased in speed. Her sounds drove him to push harder and deeper into her core and she started to move with him, increasing the amount of pleasure they both felt from one another. The look on her face was pure bliss and sexual appeal. He no longer had to hold back now and slammed himself into her. She started to cry out his name and begging him for more and he gladly gave it to her. He drew himself up holding her wrists in one hand above her head and placed his other hand gently over her neck, giving it a light squeeze as he continued to thrust into her.

"Yes...Itachi-sama...please...!" He was hitting her spot and her legs started to quiver around his waist and she was now practically screaming. Keeping his rhythm he bent down to claim her lips as a way to silence her before the entire hotel woke up from their love-making. Her screams were a huge turn on for him, and his balls were swelling and slapping against her as he started to get closer to his climax. She became more wet as he slammed into her, when he released her hands she wrapped her arms around his sides and her nails were digging into his back, he loved the feeling. When she hummed in his mouth to signify that she was ready he released her lips and bit down on the sensitive part of her neck, causing her orgasm to take full effect and he could feel her vagina tightening and releasing and repeating on his shaft. He kept driving himself into her and her whole body felt like it spasmed. He found this extremely sexy and felt himself push inside her as far as he could and released himself into her womb.

...

All the passion and love that Itachi had stored inside for so long was unleashed upon me and I found myself trapped in a whole world of pleasure. As my orgasm hit, Itachi thrusted into me so deep that I gasped for air, before feeling like my eyes were rolling back. I saw stars as I felt him cum deep within my core and the throbbing sensation sent another wave of pure pleasure. I would have been happy to have been at his mercy all night but the pain from that last thrust into my womb had actually sent me into a blackness by the time he had finished.

...

Itachi came to and slowly pulled himself out of his angel. He opened his eyes to peer at her and realized that she was unconscious. "Angel?" What have I done? He had a slight look of panic as he took her into his arms and cradled her in his lap. I pushed her too far... he gently brushed her hair back and waited for her to regain consciousness.