Disclaimer: Naruto is not mine. I own OCs and plot only.

Note: This story is about young Itachi (21) and Deidara (19) from Menma's timeline in Perfect Time. It's just a side story that but it will make more sense if you read Perfect Time first.

Please bear in mind:

1. Akatsuki in here is not a criminal organization. There is no jinchuriki in this age. Bijuus are untouchable around the world.

2. Mikoto is the granddaughter of Tobirama and Izuna (Perfect Time). So, both Itachi and Sasuke are the great-grandsons of TobiIzu.

3. Yes, in this story, mpreg is possible due to a womb sealed inside a man.

4. Minato and Kushina are alive.

5. There is no Uchiha mass murdered. But, there was a confrontation started by Shiki Uchiha 17 years ago (read Perfect Time for more information)

6. English is not my native language, please bear with me

Warning: OOC. ITADEI. EVENTUAL MPREG. Slight SasuNaru.

"How many?" Hidan smirked at Akatsuki's youngest member.

"10, un," Deidara said proudly. He was certain it was enough. "You?"

Hidan grinned, "Sorry, you lost, Deidara-chan. I got 11! I win!"

"What!?" His blue eyes widened. Hidan gave him the report which Kakuzu had written last night about their last mission so Deidara could read it by himself.

Deidara took and checked it carefully the number on how many rogue-nin Hidan captured. Both of them stood in the hall of Akatsuki headquarters before they entered the room to give their mission report to Konan.

Akatsuki was an organization that accepted work to help other villages with good payment. Mainly, they captured or kill (based on demand) troublesome rouge-nin since all Akatsuki's members are outstanding ninjas and their mission was guaranteed success. Their skills were beyond ANBU from any villages and its close recruitment of their members maintained their reputation. Of course, the price for their services was exorbitant despite there were only 10 members.

Mostly, they work in a two-man cell team. Unless it was requested by the client. As the youngest member, Deidara, an Iwagakure shinobi, paired with an older partner, Sasori from Sunagakure. He was a hot-tempered young man and the other member found him annoying. Somehow, mostly the members in Akatsuki had a don't-talk-unless-it's-important-thing vibes. However, the leader, Yahiko, was not.

Hidan, three years older than Deidara, found it boring with those elders so he often entertained himself with Deidara which was easy to talk to. They started a competition who get to the most prey(target? victim?) in each mission despite being in a different team. Hidan's partner was Kakuzu. Both Kakuzu and Sasori didn't take any part in this silly competition partners but they were agreed to do a report mission so the participants (in this case, Hidan and Deidara) would not cheat. As long as the mission is completed, they may do what they want.

Deidara couldn't believe his eyes. He lost today. He couldn't accuse Hidan of cheating because Kakuzu was the one who was write the report and he knew Kakuzu didn't have reason to help Hidan.

"I get it, so what is it? Un," he gave back the report to Hidan. They have an agreement that whoever loses, the loser will do anything the winner say. Mostly, the order's objection was to humiliate (childishly). Last week, Deidara won so he demanded Hidan to call him 'senpai' and bowed in respect every time they met in front of other members. The blond was so sure he would win again but luck was not with him today.

"Let's see," Hidan grinned, he will make Deidara get more humiliation than he did. At that moment, he saw Kisame and Itachi went out of the room they were headed to. Looked like, they just finished handed it the report and were on their way out. An amazing idea suddenly inspired Hidan. He turned to Deidara who looked stricken by the older man's wide grin.

"Deidara-chan, I want you to…" Hidan stated his order and Deidara paled when he heard the rest of it.

—000—

Unless there was an urgent request, usually every fortnite one pair of Akatsuki could get back to their village for 4-5 days before stand by at the headquarters. This month, Itachi went back to Konohagakure and Kisame went back to Kirigakure.

"I'm home," he said and took off his sandal. Itachi arrived at his home around evening. His mother, Mikoto, welcomed him warmly, "Welcome back, Itachi."

She hugged him with a gentle smile. Mikoto was grateful to have his son back. Due to their contract with Akatsuki, she could only meet her firstborn every three months and Itachi has been Akatsuki's member since he was 12. Being a prodigy, predictably, Itachi became an ANBU's captain when he was 11. Then, he heard about Akatsuki and joined so he would have more experience. Personally, nothing in Konoha could teach Itachi more.

Itachi hugged his mother back with a smile. "How are you, Mother?" They started walked inside the living room. Itachi sat on zabuton (cushion for sitting).

His mother went to the kitchen and brought him a drink, "We are fine." He poured the tea and gave it to Itachi after sat in front of him with chabudai (short-legged table) between them. "Sasuke is on his ANBU mission so he wasn't at home. Your father—"

A man with dark grey kimono went into the living room, he said to his son, "Welcome back, Itachi."

"Thank you, Father," Itachi bowed in respect. His father sat beside her and they talked a little to catch up. A few months back during Itachi's leave, Sasuke was finally accepted in ANBU and has been busy since then. Mikoto complained that Sasuke only sleeping at home if he had days off. Itachi chuckled at his mother's complaint, it was like what he heard when he first joined ANBU then Akatsuki.

—000—

On Itachi's second day, Sasuke was finally back at home a few hours before dinner time.

"I'm home," said Sasuke tiredly. He has changed his ANBU uniform into an Uchiha outfit after handed over his report.

Itachi welcomed him at the entrance, "Welcome back, Sasuke."

Widened black eyes, Sasuke surprised, "Brother! You're back!" They hugged each other, "Good to see you!"

"Congratulations, Sasuke, you're an ANBU now," said Itachi genuinely. He knew Sasuke always looked up at him and tried to surpassed him since they were a kid. Sasuke was certainly not stupid but slightly slower learning than Itachi. For instance, Itachi could excel in any jutsu he learned just in one try. Even he mastered Uchiha's katon trademark jutsu at the age of 5. On another hand, Sasuke mastered it at age of 7 and he needed several weeks for that. Jutsu-wise, Itachi was beyond Sasuke.

"Thanks, Brother," the younger Uchiha smiled. It was nice to hear a compliment from his brother. They were close and spent a lot of time together when they were younger. Indeed, they rarely saw each other after Itachi joined Akatsuki but Itachi always supported Sasuke in everything and it pleased the younger brother.

They went inside and found their mother smiled before hugged her youngest son. "Sasuke! Welcome home," she smiled. They let Sasuke to rest and Mikoto cooked all his sons' favorite. It was rare for his sons to get days off at the same time. Nonetheless, she was happy.

"It's been a long time since we can have dinner together like this," she smiled at her husband and sons after they ate. "Time flies so fast. You two were a child back then and now both of you are respectable shinobis. Hmm… In the future, I wonder if we will have dinner with our in-laws soon." Her eyes pointedly focus on her sons, especially on Sasuke.

The three men were freeze. They stared at Mikoto who still smiled calmly. Her eyes gazed at Itachi. She asked lightly, "You are 21 now, Itachi. I wonder if you have someone in mind that you want to introduce to us?"

Stiffend, the surprise was written all over her firstborn. Itachi was excellent hiding his feeling due to years of practise but this topic was out of the blue. Itachi cautiously said, "I'm afraid the answer is no, Mother."

Mikoto nodded in understanding, "I see." She looked at his youngest son who was averted his eyes. "Well, please forgive me to assume, Itachi. The thing is recently, Kushina, my dear friend, told me that his son, Naruto, is in a relationship with one of my son."

Fugaku frowned, "Our son and Yondaime-sama's son?"

"Yes, Dear," Mikoto confirmed, "and may I add, Kushina indicates that our friendship will change in the future."

"Change?" Fugaku was all ears.

"Ah, yes, she mentioned she will be happy to be our son's mother in-law," Mikoto told his husband who raised an eyebrow, "which makes me think this relationship between our son and theirs are serious. Am I bold to assume that?"

Fugaku glanced at Itachi with a silent question. Itachi shook his head as an answer that he was not the one who was in a relationship. Mikoto stared at Sasuke which confirmed both Fugaku's and Itachi's conclusion as she continued, "With marriage in mind, I thought Itachi was the one she was talking about. Considering he is an adult already. It seems like I'm mistaken."

She asked her youngest son casually, "So, Sasuke? What do you think?"

All eyes on him, he looked nervous but tried to stay calm, "About what?"

Mikoto smiled, "I'm not sure, on top of my mind, maybe about… when were you going to tell us about you dating Naruto?"

Sasuke gulped, he averted his eyes, "Not now?"

Fugaku genuinely confused, "Since when? It's in my understanding that you are not getting along with him. Aren't you two always fighting?"

Mikoto exchanging glanced with Itachi and chuckled. They knew Sasuke and Naruto were close friends. Both of them predicted it eventually will happen one day. Sasuke blushed faintly.

"It doesn't matter since when we—"

Fugaku frowned, "It does matter. It's Yondaime-sama's son we are talking about. Not to mention Kushina-sama's son as well. Are you aware of what you are doing, Sasuke?"

"I know what I'm doing," The youngest Uchiha looked at his father defiantly.

The father elaborated, "The boy is the son of Yondaime Hokage who is highly respected. Our Hokage is feared by another countries for a good reason. His wife, Kushina-sama is no different. If you hurt Naruto, even your great-grandfather's, Nidaime-sama's influence will not save our face."

Sasuke remained stoic, Itachi could see his brother's efforts to hold back his anger. "I have no intention to hurt Naruto, Father."

That sentence alone spoke volumes about how serious Sasuke was. The youngest Uchiha has never sugar-coated his words nor he was an excellent conversationalist. Itachi knew his brother since he was a baby. He was there with him at the worst and saw him at his best. The firstborn Uchiha knew Naruto captivated Sasuke. It was inevitable since everyone adored Naruto. Not only because he was Yondaime's son but his personality was charming.

"Do you want to marry him?" Itachi voiced out their parents' concern.

Sasuke flushed. He glanced at his family before looked down and replied indiferrently, "Someday, yes."

Silent followed then Fugaku nodded in approval, "Good." The Head of Uchiha Clan was pleased with the prospect that his son will marry the honorable family. However, they have another problem. He exchanged glances with his wife and Itachi noticed this as they eyed him briefly. Ah, he got a bad feeling.

—000—

Turned out, Itachi's bad feeling was true. The next day, during tea time with his parents (Sasuke has gone on a date with Naruto), he found out why.

"Son," Fugaku asked, straight to the point, "You are 21 now. You are a remarkable ninja, one of candidate to be 5th Hokage and I couldn't be more proud of you, Itachi. We would like to know… Do you have someone who will be your life partner?"

He kept any movement on his face remained void.

"Itachi," his mother said kindly, "I'm sure you know the tradition in our family. The firstborn has to marry first before the younger one."

Otherwise, it will be bad luck, was left unsaid. Itachi knew the direction of this conversation. His parents worried if Sasuke married Naruto before Itachi got married, it was bad omen. Considering the year that Shiki Uchiha mentioned before he dead will be next year, the clan being alarmed at anything. Three of them knew that Sasuke and Naruto will get married sooner or later if Kushina's enthusiasm was any indication. Before that happened, Fugaku and Mikoto hoped Itachi will get married first.

"I know, Mother," Itachi said softly. It was uncommon for a shinobi to get married at a young age around 17-year-old or early in their 20s. Their occupation didn't guarantee for them to come back safely from the mission. Therefore, mostly they choose to have a family sooner before it happened they could carry on their family's bloodline. Even his mother get married at 21 and gave birth to Itachi when she was 22.

"If you have your intended already, this would be a good time to introduce them to us, Itachi," Mikoto suggested. As a man, actually Itachi could get married anytime he want. However, his occupation in Akatsuki faced more dangerous than ANBU. Minato Namikaze, as one of Konoha talented ninja married to Kushina Uzumaki at young age when he was one of the candidate of the 4th Hokage. His parents reminded him of that.

Fugaku added, "If you have none, we can arrange it."

Itachi gazed at his father. He knew what Fugaku meant. As an Uchiha, not to mention, the heir to his father, Itachi's future life partner needed to have political connections, physically attractive/charming personality and strong. Like, Naruto. He was the son of Yondaime and the descendants of Uzumaki Clan. Sasuke did well for his chosen one and Fugaku was pleased with it.

Truth to be told, Itachi was not fond of the idea of arranged marriage. It will be most likely that his parents will choose someone respectable from Konoha. Nothing was wrong with Konoha's shinobi, but his family was pretty well-known. Throughout his time in Konoha, they only saw him as 'Uchiha Prodigy', 'Great-grandson of Nidaime Hokage' etc. He was called 'Itachi-sama' by his classmate in the academy and teammate at that time. He wasn't comfortable with all of those worshippers. He couldn't imagine if he would marry one of them for the rest of his life.

No. He could not.

"Actually, Father, Mother," he smiled and lied, "I'm seeing someone."

His parents were surprised, "You are?"

Itachi has been good at lying due to his job so it was piece of cake for him. He explained, "Yes, I have been waiting for the right time to tell you. I think now it's the time."

"Who is it?" Mikoto seemed happy.

Itachi replied, "Someone from work."

"Akatsuki's member?" Fugaku concluded, "It means she or he from another village, then?"

Another member of Akatsuki from Konoha was Obito Uchiha and he got married to a girl named Rin. Besides, even if Obito has an affair with Itachi, that type of news will be all around Konoha considering this was a ninja village and Itachi has his fans in each corner. Furthermore, Fugaku was the head of Police Ninja and he could heard that kind of information easily. Since there was not such a thing, Fugaku safely thought his son's chosen one must be from another village.

Itachi merely said, "Yes, from another village."

Fugaku nodded, "Bring them here next time you come back." Being Akatsuki's member was privileged and it was safe to say that it will be worth it to meet them first. He and his wife believed their firstborn's judgment. Whether it was a woman or a man was not matter. Their prodigy son never made a blunder so they didn't ask much and prefer to meet in person.

"I understand," Itachi said solemnly.

—000—

Back at Akatsuki's headquarters, Itachi felt gloomy. Sat on a couch in their lounge and took a break with other members. He looked like usual from the outside but he was torn from the inside.

He lied to his parents about his non-existent lover. Well, he never told them verbally that his 'lover' was a member of Akatsuki. His father took the conclusion on his own. As the heir, he knew someday, his parents will press the matter of marriage to him. He was hoping to not be in an arranged marriage. He didn't want to marry someone who wasn't looking at him but looking at his clan, status, and popularity.

Oh, he knew he was popular.

It was hard to miss when the worshippers or haters were always around you. Either people looked at him with admiration or hatred due to his achievements. It was not his fault for them to felt that way towards him and it was people's choice. However, He could choose not to be with either of them.

It doesn't have to be love but he just wanted to be treated like normal people. Like, equal. That's why he joined Akatsuki. All members were almost equally powerful and highly intellectual. Without someone worshipped or overly hate the other. Of course, some members were annoying but that was it. Nothing more, nothing less. They were all the same. They were in the same boat.

At least, that was what he wanted his life partner to be.

Maybe… he should marry one of Akatsuki's members?

Itachi was in no delusion that he will be able to avoid getting married forever. If he didn't choose now, his parents will arrange one so he could get married before Sasuke and Naruto. He didn't want to be the reason his baby brother postponed their wedding just because Itachi was not married. He loved his brother and wanted him happy. Naruto was a great kid. Itachi was grateful Naruto brought happiness to Sasuke. He could see in their eyes that they loved each other dearly when he saw them on a date.

His onyx eyes looked around the lounge room. All Akatsuki's members were here, except Obito who got his day off and went back to Konoha. His thought went back to his previous suggestion about maybe he could marry one of these people? Other than members who were died, Itachi spent almost a decade with these people. They were what he would dub as a comrade. It wouldn't be hard to spend years with them in a specific relationship, namely, as a spouse.

His gaze fell onto the only female member. Konan. She was older than Itachi. Quiet and rational girl. She was taken by Yahiko, the leader. Two down. Wait, it was three with Obito was married too. He glanced at Sasori and Kakuzu, Itachi doubt they could have coitus to produce children. Both older members have modified their bodies. His parents expected grandchildren, well, Itachi would love to have children too.

Kisame? Itachi thought his father may not like his appearance alone. So far, 6 have been down. The last three were Nagato, Hidan, and Deidara. Nagato was an Uzumaki too but has no political connection. How about Hidan?

…nope. Too much. Itachi couldn't handle life with him for a long period.

Itachi saw Hidan pushed Deidara towards him after a heated whispered argument. The youngest member of Akatsuki reluctantly walked closer to Itachi. The Uchiha stared at Deidara with thoughts about the blond's information in his mind. His onyx eyes widened briefly at the thought:

Deidara was from Iwagakure.

Sandaime Tsuchikage's pupil.

Political connection: checked.

He has Kekkei Genkai (bloodline limit), an explosion release.

Strength: checked.

"O-oi, Itachi," Deidara forced himself to talk. Red face. He was so embarrassed for what he needed to do. Damn Hidan. This was so fucking humiliating. He won't lose again to Hidan!

Not to mention, blond hair, blue eyes, fit body…nonetheless, Deidara was pleasing to the eye.

Attractiveness: checked.

"Yo-you are hot," Deidara was so red at this point and he said it in one breathe, "willyoubemyboyfriend?"

Perfect.

Itachi smiled vaguely. Deidara was alarmed instantly.

"Gladly."

All members of Akatsuki's were frozen immediately.

Thanks for reading! What do you think? Please review if you don't mind!