We arrived at our home and I paused before the door to look up at Itachi, who's eyes met Shisui's. His voice melted my heart, "I'll make preparations, if you'll buy me some time."

Shisui smirked, "yeah, I've already planned for it." He looked to me with the sweetest smile as Itachi disappeared into the house. "I'll be your guide, love." He softly pulled me with him and we found ourselves in the kitchen where he motioned me to a seat and then got to work on making breakfast.

My head tilted. They couldn't possibly be thinking of seducing me? Shisui had already admitted their ideas, however desperate they seemed. They don't truly think of following through? "Shisui?" I called to him as he flipped the eggs. They smelled delicious.

He seemed startled out of his thoughts because one egg nearly flew off the pan. "Huh?" He caught it mid-air and turned to me with a slight blush and an adorable grin to cover his embarrassment.

He hasn't been correcting me when I say his name. "What are you two plotting?"

If anyone could break out into a sudden sweat, he surely could. Shisui looked a bit panicked, as if I had asked him what present I've received before opening it. "Ah- well..." he quickly returned to the stove and finished cooking the eggs before toasting some bread and applying butter. I could hear him murmur under his breath, "where's Itachi when you need him...?"

"What was that, hun? I didn't catch that?" My eyes narrowed at the silly man before me.

He twirled around with both hands raised, looking sheepish. "It's nothing! Itachi and I will explain things better, I promise." He lowered his hands and approached me after quickly dishing up breakfast and sat across from me. "For now you should eat!" He smiled and waited for me to take a bite.

A soft sigh left me as I rolled my eyes. Honestly, does he think I'm slow? My attention returned to the eggs and toast and with the soft, hungry rumble of my stomach, decided to indulge. "Fine, however I do expect a full explanation when we're finished here." I didn't see the sly smile spreading across Shisui's lips as I took a bite.

Shisui finished his own plate with haste and excused himself from the table. "A bath has been prepared for you, take your time, there's no need to rush."

My eyes widened, "...a-a bath...?"

Shisui washed his plate and then glided to me, pecking my forehead with a sweet kiss. "You've been working hard, it's the least that could be done to help you relax." He vanished and the look of pure confusion took over me.

A bath? I guess it's not that unusual. It's not the first time Itachi has prepared a bath for me. After taking a few more bites, I washed my plate and slowly made my way down the hall. A waft of roses tickled my nose as I drew closer to the bathroom. Slowly opening the door, I peeked inside. Steam emitted above the water of the large bath, petals floated on it's surface, creating a tranquil, romantic environment. I glanced around, there wasn't a sign of the men and I took a step inside. When I was sure no one was around I removed my clothes and slipped into the warm liquid, sighing with relief. It felt so good and my tense muscles relaxed. Closing my eyes, I tilted my head back and sunk further in. Just when I was about to give in to pure bliss, the sound of the water being disturbed beside me caused my eyes to snap open. "...Itachi-sama?"

A soft smile spread across his lips as he nonchalantly sank into the water and peered at me. "I hope I haven't disturbed you."

Budump budump budump...

My heart began to beat loudly in my chest. "Uh-um, no...you haven't." It's a lie, I was definitely not relaxed any longer, though I'd never admit it.

The soft smile upon his lips slightly wavered before Itachi leaned a little closer to peer into my eyes. "Who do you think you're fooling?" His deep voice plucked at my heart strings and I felt myself flush in embarrassment.

It's been a while since I've bathed with him and after avoiding him and Shisui I felt a bit awkward and slightly ashamed. He wasn't blind to the fact either and silence filled the room. Itachi seemed to shrug it off and leaned back against the wall, closing his eyes. His handsome features relaxed further beyond his naturally calm and collected demeanor.

He's so handsome... I thoughtlessly reached to brush the hair from his face to see him better. The breath caught in my throat as he caught my wrist and brought my hand to his lips and began to softly kiss my fingers. Ah! My heart picked up in pace and the heat rose to my cheeks. It's so soft and warm. My whole body shuttered at the feeling and Itachi pulled me closer to him. A small gasp escaped my lips, the feeling of our skin touching caused me to look to him with slight nervousness.

Amusement lit up his eyes. "Are you uncomfortable?"

"N-no, it's just... it's been so long since..."

Itachi pulled me even closer so I was now sitting on his lap. His arms wrapped around me and his chin rest on my shoulder. "Since we've bathed together? Since I've had the chance to hold you? Or maybe share my warmth with my beloved wife?"

"Ah, y-yes." I've become a stuttering mess. The butterflies in my stomach took flight as his lips caressed the soft skin of my neck.

I could feel a small smile spread across his lips. "And who's to blame, I wonder?"

He's referring to me. I turned to face him, I felt terrible for avoiding him for so long. "I'm sorry."

...

Her eyes appeared truly sincere as she made her apology. Itachi knew she had been avoiding him, along with Shisui for some time now and didn't bother pushing her for answers. She had enough concerns as it were and he didn't particularly enjoy the idea of having to push her, he would have preferred her to come to him when she was ready. That was until now, simply because their time was running out before the mystery ninja shows himself again. He placed a soft kiss upon her forehead and simply held her as she faced forward again, appearing to be filled with shame.

"Shikara." He called to her and her muscles tensed against him.

"Y-yes?"

A small sigh left him, he wasn't sure how to speak to her about a serious matter such as this one. "There's little time to explain ourselves..." if he had thought she was tense before, now she felt like a marble, smooth, yet solid. "I can feel your heart racing..." he murmured.

"Ah, sorry. Please...continue." Her response sounded small.

He turned her body so that she was facing him, straddling his thighs and gazed at his chest, awaiting for him to speak. "Breathe, Shikara." She paused, then obediently took a slow, deep breath. Itachi spared a small smile and cupped her chin in his finger to help her make eye contact. "...I won't ever pressure you to do anything you don't wish to."

"I know this, Itachi-sama."

She's adorable. Always has been. "Shisui enlightened me, you're aware of what we've spoke of?" He was doing what he could to not express his slight embarrassment, especially when Shikara couldn't contain her own and is already flushed.

"...I've already suspected the two of you have been collaborating..." Shikara's voice had the sound of reluctance about it.

She had already suspected... Itachi couldn't help the slight smirk. She must have known it may have been force of habit as well. She grew up with us, after all. "And?" Her eyes grew more wide in question. "Your thoughts?"

She blushed and looked away. "I don't know, it seems a little desperate and could backfire."

This is why she avoided us for so long. "You no longer wish to rebuild the clan?"

Her eyes met his again and she shifted nervously. "It's not that, it's the grounds by which this discussion is based. You and I both know this isn't about that and if it were - things would be different."

"Your decision on the matter is what differs?"

"Yes."

"You won't bear my child?"

Shikara turned completely red. "I never said..."

Caught her off guard. Itachi gently rested his forehead against hers and smiled. "It's your choice, however there's no need to delay your dreams due to someone else. When you're ready, I'll be here."

She was flustered as she responded, "that man must be taken care of, first."

"He's not an issue."

Shikara's eyes narrowed. "For who? You? He also holds Kurai, you remember the troublesome demon, yes?" The corner of Itachi's mouth twitched. He's struggling to keep his composure and not show his amusement. Shikara is now showing signs of annoyance. "What do you plan to do? Defeat him yourself?"

Itachi leaned back, breathing out a small sigh. "The so-called Madara can be defeated. I know some of his tricks. As for your old friend..." Shikara's eyebrow twitched at his reference, "...do you remember when you shared your chakra?"

She blinked before the memory flooded back to her. "Ah, yes...I transferred some light chakra to you to protect you. It was the only way of knowing that he couldn't hurt you," her voice dropped to a whisper, "at least not badly."

Itachi tightened his grip around her waist. "Do you think you could do this again? Not to just myself but to Shisui as well?"

"Is this plan B?"

He simply waited for her response to his question, rather than answering hers. She has a habit of asking questions to which she already knows the answer. Having patience is key and he knew it wouldn't take her more than a moment. He adored her for that, amongst many other things.

"Oh...silly question."

There it is. Itachi smiled approvingly and it caused the blush to return to her cheeks. It's a turn on for him to see her this way, however he needed to focus.

Shikara curtly cleared her throat. "Yes, I can transfer it to both of you." Her eyebrows furrowed, "but I don't see how this will help in the long run to defeat the demon, that is. The only way to know he'll be gone for good is to either somehow send him back to the hell he came from, or seal him away."

"There's still no guarantee, even then," he added.

Shikara peered to the side in solemn thought. "I suppose."

Itachi paused for a moment before brushing Shikara's hair from her eyes. "Which is why I believe plan A is of importance."

Tears were forming from her eyes. "But it's not for the right reason." She looked up again to peer into his soul. "I want to raise a family but not for the reason of hoping it will waiver an enemy from having interests in recruiting me...or you again, for that matter."

Does she know? Shikara is sharp but she had no way of knowing the very same man also made a deal with him long ago. Unless she says anything, it's best to keep that secret. "Again, I will not pressure you to do anything you don't wish to." Itachi's eyelids dropped a little in thought. Tobi, as Itachi knows him, claims to be Madara to shock and instill fear upon his enemies. He's also the man Itachi trained with for a brief time to gain the ability to take down the clan. Tobi also assisted him with the massacre in faith that Itachi would join the Akatsuki. Itachi sighed and gazed at his pretty little wife who was now looking to him curiously.

"You know something, don't you?" She asked. Her eyebrow lifted and she leaned forward to read him better.

"I know how to keep Madara at bay." He simply responded.

"I see..." she softly sighed, "I suppose I shouldn't press the matter further, then."

Shikara appeared to become flustered again and Itachi smirked. She really is quick, especially when she shouldn't be. He had been holding himself back for so long, he couldn't hardly stand it anymore. Either he was going to make his move or he would have to excuse himself. Before he had the chance to make his decision as he gazed into Shikara's eyes, she suddenly did something he wasn't expecting. She wrapped her arms around his neck, pulling herself close and kissed him passionately. In the heat of the moment he pulled her from his thighs and closed the space between their hips.

She eventually broke the kiss and rested her forehead against his collar, breathing heavily. Her face was flushed as she turned her head up and gazed into his eyes. "I-I couldn't hold myself back any longer..." she confessed.

It caused Itachi's heart to throb and he gripped her hips. "It seems you and I both have struggled." It was all he had to say before continuing to kiss her and feel her skin on his fingertips as they explored the rest of her body.