The puzzle was starting to piece together. Itachi lay in bed, two hands neatly tucked behind his head. His two onyx eyes shone in the dim moonlight from the window.

When Tina came to him the other day they were in the village of Mist, she had said something about Reiyana found crying in the Sakarazuki estate. That would either mean she has some kind of connection with the Sakarazuki, or she found something, or she just wanted somewhere private.

Her bloodline limit…drains blood for energy. Itachi had never met anyone with that ability, neither had he heard of any clan known for that ability. Another thing…Itachi had noticed Reiyana carrying a second sword with her. She hadn't said anything about it, but he knew she wouldn't just take any sword.

Reiyana just came out of the showers, and walked past a window on her way back to her room. She stopped at the window and looked out. Tonight was a full moon. As long as she remembered, she loved training at night, where no birds sing and darkness envelopes her. The only light was the moon.

After a few minutes she turned around and walked the rest of the way to her room. When she got in, she quickly dried her hair and took off her bathrobe. She pulled on her leather pants and her boots.

Sifting through the closet and finding a black t-shirt, Reiyana took both Yuketosa and Tsukanra with her. Walking out of metal doors, she breathed in the scent of the night, smiling a bit.

Reiyana ran inside the forest, remembering the path she took. When she was deep enough, she jumped up on a tree branch and sat there. Recalling her encounter with Naruto, she put her two swords aside, and sat up straight.

She held her hand out, and tried to concentrate. A minute later the same black current formed. Reiyana hit the tree trunk beside with it, and it formed a wide hole.

Quite weak…Ignoring that, she took out Yuketosa and smiled. She always loved this.

Itachi heard noises. It was alarming, since it was near. He stood up and walked over to the window. As he pushed the curtains slightly to reveal one eye, he could see a section of the forest collapsing and moving on east, heading away from the headquarters.

Frowning, he fingered the curtain as he rested against the wall longer, still watching the torrent that was attacking the forest.

Meanwhile…

Sasori, unable to hold his curiosity, jumped out his window in the night, a cloak of red clouds behind him in the night sky. He crouched, on the tops of the trees, scanning for the direction the destructive mass was heading. It was quite obviously, actually, because there was a huge amount of chakra. Sasori was actually trying to figure out the safest way.

Reiyana didn't take Yuketosa out of her shaft regularly, so when she did it was usually because the situation called for it. In this situation, it was to train. A few seconds after the sword was released of its shaft, a small section of the forest was cleared. Reiyana was running on the ground, holding Yuketosa parallel to her. There were many trees close together, so the result was crashing branches and trunks. She jumped and dodged, feeling light-hearted.

Out of the corner of her eye, she saw someone jump off a tree as soon as Yuketosa swung into it. Disliked having people disrupt her, she jumped up to see who it was. As Reiyana landed on a high branch, Sasori jumped a meter away. When he realized who it was, he came closer.

"That was pretty impressive" He commented, finding new respect for her. After all, Uchiha Itachi was assigned to recruit her.

"Curiosity killed the cat…" She muttered under her breath. "…Yeah, thanks"

"Itachi asked me about your distant family. Related to the Shukaku container, huh"

So that was his Suna friend…

"Hn, your grandmother was a very good artist. I've heard of you from her. She loved you very much, you know"

Sasori growled. "I don't care"

"Of course you don't. After all, which bastard in this world cared at all?"

Sasori kept his cool, looking at her with his metal-colored eyes. Finally, Reiyana sighed and asked, "Wanna spar? I really need a touch on my Taijutsu."

After a minute of no response, she spoke again. "I'm taking that as a yes. Rules, only Taijutsu, weapons allowed."

When she finished talking, she charged at Sasori. At the last minute he defended, two arms crossed in front of his face. Reiyana kicked herself up on his two arms, and flipped behind him. He jumped back, and Reiyana silently led them down to the forest grounds.

He ran at her and threw a kick, which she caught. With one leg in her hand, he swung the other leg while lifting himself with his hands on the ground. She dodged that one, and caught it too. She was about to kick his arms, when he quietly said, "Stop".

Reiyana let go of his legs, and he stood up. "What's wrong?"

Sasori looked around. "Someone is watching us. And it's none of the other members."

She felt a tinge of concern mixed with nausea, but shrugged it off. Maybe she caught a cold. It was kinda chilly. Stop convincing yourself. Frowning, Reiyana knew it was Tseto, back for his business.

"Sasori, lets go"

"…Back? Why? Is something wrong?"

"Nothing's wrong and if you want to stay here you can"

Sasori hurried to follow Reiyana as the two walk back, Reiyana perking her ears to prove if she heard anything. After a while, she had lost Sasori. Reiyana stopped walking as soon as she heard the chirping of grasshoppers stop. All life surrounding her was dead.

She slowly raised her hand to the handle of Yuketosa, letting it stay there. In a few seconds she felt her eyelids droop. "Shit…why am I so fucking stupid…" Her breathing shallowed, but she still fought to stay upright. Reiyana had fell into Tseto's trap unknowingly, and now all she can do is stay still or the sleeping dust in the air will take effect.

When her eyelids can no longer handle it, she let them drop, and the last thing she saw was two men.

The morning sun rose rapidly above the horizon, but this was all unseen in Reiyana's room, since it was windowless. She felt so comfortable in her bed, so content. The mattress was soft and the sheets crisp. Reiyana finally opened her eyes to reveal her dark room in the Akatsuki head quarters.

She couldn't remember what happened last night, but she was assured that she was safe because this room was not an illusion. What was an illusion was a glass vase filled with red roses on her nightstand table. The roses were perfect. Who would give her roses? Even if they were fakes?

Reiyana groggily got up, and lowered her head to the vase. She liked the scent. She got up, and realized she was still in the clothes she wore last night, with out her boots. She didn't bother to change and instead exited her room.

She first went to Itachi's room. She knocked loudly. A muffled 'what' came from inside.

"Open up!"

That didn't sound like Kisame. Itachi got up and unlocked the door. It flew open, and a certain female strutted in.

"What happened to me last night?"

"Sasori brought you back. He said he found you lying on the ground. That's all. Oh, you should also thank me. He gave you to me, and I was the one that had to put you in your bed, and take off your boots."

"Oh. You didn't think of taking advantage? After all, most men do"

"Well, I'm not most men. Anyways, I'd rather wait than never" He said with a smirk.

"Oh? So you're saying eventually?"

A series of bangs erupted from the door. "Itachi! Open up!"

Without thinking, Reiyana flung the door open. Kisame and Deidara was dumbstruck for a millisecond before they began laughing, slapping each other on the backs and pointing knowingly.

When they finally came to their breath, Deidara puffed, "Itachi, Itachi. Who's stupid to fuck their own comrade?"

Then he turned his attention to Reiyana. "Was he good?"

Once upon a time, a few heads would be removed from their original position, but meeting Tina and the other members inproved her social life, and maybe, even made her some people she could consider friends.

Reiyana just chuckled, and said, "You're better off woman" to Deidara, and chucked her palm on his forehead, pushing him back.

Itachi came to, ushering people to be quiet. "What now?" He asked the two other men.

"Guess what?" Asked Deidara, his eyes shining.

Itachi's eyes widened slightly and he made a movement of backing up. "Oh shit…" he muttered under his breath.

"Count me out" Itachi said, and slammed the door.

Reiyana, completely out of the conversation, was still in the room. "What was that about?"

"Oh…another one of Deidara's holidays. It's venture day. He tries to get every member to go on a fun trip out. I think he's desperate for friends."

Reiyana frowned. "You really should be the one desperate for friends, you know"

"What for? I've lived the better half of my whole life…"

"Exactly. You've lived the better half of your 20 years with friends, or at least, one"

Itachi rolled his eyes. "Well, I'm going to with Deidara." Said Reiyana.

He looked at her strangely, but shrugged. "Fine by me"

Reiyana opened to the door to reveal a whole bunch of members, Deidara at the front. "Please, Itachi?"

Itachi frowned even more in disgust. "Or I'll take you by force!" Yelled a voice from the back, undoubtly Zetsu's.

At least Reiyana was going. That was enough to cover his image.

Reiyana had gone off, and the smell of burnt fish was really irritating Itachi. He left the campsite in hopes of escaping the odor of fish, and finding her.

As he traveled further away, another scented wafted its way into his senses. It was…roses. Following the scent, he soon felt Reiyana's aura around. She was just like a wild rose; beautiful and delicate, but distant and unreachable, protected by its thorns.

Around this area there were a lot of rose bushes, with fist-sized blooms of wild roses. She was there, and she knew he was too. There was a slight breeze in the air, and with it her voice. He smiled, and followed it.

A few trees surrounded the area, their leaves billowy gently. The ground seemed to be softly pulsing as Itachi walked. He crossed a small stream of crystal clear water, and ventured deeper. He caught a glimpse of her breath taking face in a pane of sunlight, and walked a little faster in that direction. Her heard her footsteps quicken into a light jog, and he did the same, only a bit faster.

This place was filled with willow trees, with a rose bush here or there. Pushing aside the willow in his face, Itachi saw Reiyana just a few feet in front of him. She turned around and was instantly pinned to a tree.

She smiled. "What took you so long?"

He smirked, and cocked his head slightly. "Doesn't matter, outcome's the same."

Reiyana was still pinned between the tree behind her and his body. She slid her delicate hands on his chest. "Itachi, tell me, how does a woman react when she receives anonymous roses?" She mockingly asked.

So she knows…he thought. "They would be joyous, no matter who it's from" He answered quietly, playing along with her little game.

"What if she knows who it's from, but the pretty flowers are fake?"

"Then the lad that gave her the fakes will have to repay her later" He finished, a smirk creeping up to his lips.

She mockingly asked again, "Do you want to kiss me Itachi?"

He smiled charmingly, and whispered huskily to her ears, "I'd my honored to". He captured her lips with his own, two skilled tongues fighting while doing so. Reiyana slid her hands from his chest to his neck, playing with his ponytail.

She finally pulled away, only to stare into his eyes wickedly. "How long can you hold your breath?" She asked.

"Last time I tried, half an hour."

She kissed him again, this time neither of them breaking it. His hands were on her hips, occasionally going behind or down her thigh. He was pressing her hard against the tree, but not hard enough so she could feel his growing erection. She was very tempting, and a new experience for Itachi.

Her hands slid down to his shoulders, and pushed him. He was pushed back a step, but he came forward again, and this time with his two hands on the tree beside her head.

Reiyana smiled suggestively. "When are you gonna to repay me for those fakes?"

Itachi snorted, and pushed himself off of the tree. He looked around, and walked over to one of the rose bushes. Itachi bent down and fingered the horns, while Reiyana walked closer and stood there, smirking. His slender snapped the stems of the roses skillfully, until had enough for a bouquet. He pushed himself off the ground, and took one of the vines to tie it.

Handing it to Reiyana, he said, "Repaid" He couldn't resist but kiss her one more time.

Reiyana was doubting, staring at the ring on her middle finger one her right hand. She received this from the Akatsuki leader, a strange man. This meant that she was an official member…but…

There was always that word. 'But'. The negative of the subject. Reiyana wasn't sure she could be a member. The ring she wore was the Byakko, the white tiger, which was the god of west and autumn. It was almost comical when she was asked to put on purple nail polish.

Reiyana knocked on the door to Itachi's room. She knocked again. She heard a groan from the other side. Whipping her wrist on the doorknob, the lock broke and she entered. Itachi was tangled in the sheets, curled up, facing a side and breathing slowly.

"I need to borrow your nail polish" Reiyana asked loudly.

Another groan from Itachi. "Shut up!"

Reiyana rolled her eyes, and repeated herself. "I need nail polish."

"Do you know what time it is?" Itachi voice muffled in the layers of cloth.

"Yes, it's fucking midnight"

"…God, your fucked. I need to sleep, ok?"

"Uh…your leader just gave me a ring and requested me to put on purple nail polish. I need nail polish."

"…Shit. It's in the first drawer of my desk."

Reiyana opened it, and the first thing she saw was a photograph. It pictured a young Itachi with a small Sasuke. His brother was on his back, both of them wearing the black shirt bearing the Uchiha symbol, laughing and smiling at the camera.

Her eyes softened unconsciously, staring at the picture for a long time. Her eyes traveled to Itachi's form, which was now sleeping soundly. She put the picture back. The next thing she saw were two bottles. She took them out. One was shampoo, another was conditioner. Reiyana almost laughed out loud. She also found a pair of nail clippers. Itachi is defiantly very hygiene.

At the back of the drawer, she found the nail polish. She took it out. There was one thing different from her room to Itachi's. She didn't have a window. Opening the window wider, she leaned out. She didn't even mind the chirping of the grass hoppers.

Wanting to enjoy this, she sat down on Itachi's bed. Itachi was curled up on the other side, back facing her. Reiyana opened the bottle and slowly applied the liquor to her nails.

When she was finished, she left his room, the nail polish on his dresser.

--

Slamming the door shut was Itachi, both of them stumbling over to his bed. She came to his room to ask him to spar with her, but his hormones tonight were uncontrollable. It was playful, their light kisses and touches.

Reiyana was on top of him, resting her elbows beside his head, her chest pushed against his face. She was having fun, but there was a little worrisome voice at the back of her head. She's haven't had sex since she was sixteen, when she left that bastard Tseto. But, she ignored that voice and went on with what she was about to do. Reiyana slid his netted top off, and she played with his nipples. Her hands traveled down to Itachi's crotch, and unzipped his pants. Sliding it down with his boxers, she fingered his erect penis skillfully, while laughing.

Itachi chuckled. "…Yeah…" He groaned. His right hand reached behind her and unzipped the zipper that held her top. When her black lace bra was off and thrown somewhere in the room, he took one of her breasts, and sucked on her rosy nipple. Reiyana giggled and went lower, leaving Itachi's mouth empty.

She positioned his cock between her breasts, and teasingly prodded the top of his erection with her tongue. Itachi grunted. She pressed her breasts together, squeezing the cock in between them. She earned a moan, his penis now hard as rock. She had him thrusting his hips before she had even sucked on his manhood.

Reiyana decided to relieve him of his painful erection, and so she bent her head down, sucking on his cock while occasionally lightly scraping her teeth. His eyes squeezed shut and his whole body covering in sweat, Itachi could hold it no longer. His body stiffened and he cummed in her mouth. Reiyana swallowed his warm seed, and midway she removed her mouth and the let his cum slide down her body instead. One elbow propped up, Itachi's penis filled again when he saw her breasts splattered with his cum.

"C'mere" Itachi said, and when she did he pushed her down and went on top of her. He buried his head in her chest, sucking and biting, while his hands worked on getting her pants off. She shrugged off her lace panties and pressed her hips against his cock. Itachi was getting excited, but he ignored that. His mouth went there instead, and he extended his tongue to lick the insides, deliberately ignoring her clit. "Itachi…" Moaned Reiyana, her back arched and her lips apart. Her breathing shallowed as his tongue traveled near her vagina. When he suddenly but softly bit on her clit, she gasped and moaned as she had her orgasm.

He laughed, and slithered up again. Itachi slid his penis in her tight vagina, softly groaning. She was so wet and hot, Itachi could hang from her hole. She thrust forward, yelping. His cock was big, and she needed to adjust, but the pain was pleasure. Her thrust encouraged Itachi, and so he abruptly pulled out and thrust in again. He had his arms on her lifted thighs, as she had her hands on his back, pulling on his hair and letting down his black strands. They were soft, much softer than her hair. And they were shiny…Reiyana was already thinking of stealing his shampoo and conditioner. She was shaken out of his thought as soon as he thrusted again. She moaned. "Harder" She whispered.

Itachi felt himself going crazy. He wanted to dominate her, but she was the one who was towering over him. He shivered when he heard her whisper, and he complied. Itachi was moaning, feeling himself lose control. She cummed first, her fluids flowing over his hard cock. This made him even more swollen, ready to burst. Itachi thrusted once more, and let himself in to his climax. He was grunting and had a strangled cry at his peak.

He let his body rest on Reiyana's breathing into her neck, as she giggled. "That tickles!"

He smirked, and turned to her left. "Can I see your ring?"

Reiyana shifted and extended her right hand over for him. Her nails were purple too.

Itachi frowned. "Where'd you get nail polish?"

"…From you, remember?"

"When?"

"Last night? You were tired, and you told me your nail polish was in the first drawer of your desk."

Itachi was quiet. Reiyana knew why. "I saw the picture." She said quietly.

He remained silent. She sighed and looked at the ghostly ceiling, the effect made by the moonlight through the window. "I know how you feel" She finally said.

"There's a part that I left out when I told you my story. After Gatabunta died, I joined an assassination organization call Goubu. I was one of their many killing machines, but there was a little girl. She was four years younger than me, and her name was Jade."

"...Why didn't you tell me this?"

Reiyana smiled. "Assassins are not supposed to reveal their identity, but now, I guess I'm not one, since I am now a member of Akatsuki. Every assassin has a code name, and mine was Posh."

Itachi remembered the night at the hotel, where a man had called her that.

"Well, this girl, Jade, she looked up to me. She was almost like a little sister, now that I think of her. That time Tseto was also there, and I was too wrapped up in him than anyone else. When I left Tseto, I had my mind set on eliminating Goubu by killing everybody. This never happened, because I was too weak. One against many. After I fled, my mind cleared, I realized the only person I didn't plan on killing was Jade."

"…"

Reiyana sighed again. "I wish I had a window. At night I could just listen to the silence, or stare at the stars"

Itachi smirked. "Then you could sleep here every night"

Reiyana rolled her eyes, but there was a smiled playing on her lips. They rested to a comfortable silence, beside each other on his bed. After a while, she turned to him, to see him asleep. She knows that Gaara likes to watch people sleep, and it was true, watching Itachi sleep.

It was the most adorable thing.

Reiyana's thoughts drifted to herself. Once upon a time, she would have never giggled or even smiled. But that was once upon a time.

She has changed.

--

There was a new thing in her closet. An Akatsuki cloak. Reiyana took it out and examined it. The material was heavy, but she liked the colors. When in the headquarters, it was optional for you to wear the cloak or not. She put it on and looked at herself in the mirror on the back of the closet door.

On days when there were no missions, she would just wear baggy white flannel pants and a top. When she arrived at the kitchen for breakfast, everybody told her it was Itachi's birthday. Itachi, slouched in the corner, had a bored at the same time tormented expression on his face. "It's his birthday" call Kisame. So that explaines the look on his face.

"Happy birthday" Reiyana greeted half-heartlily.

"Whatever" muttered Itachi, sipping his orange juice.

So, after the kitchen quieted down and most people left, Reiyana had herself a cooked breakfast of bacon and eggs, thanks to Tina. "So? What are you going to do for your birthday?"

Itachi frowned. "What do you mean?"

"Well, I had this comrade, Seiko, who would celebrate birthdays, so I got used to it."

"Why don't you start off my birthday by fixing the lock you broke on my door?"

"Why? Don't tell me you can't fix a simple lock."

Itachi rolled his eyes and spread a piece of toast. "It's not like I'm a lock technician..." He murmured.

"Tell you the truth, I can't either. Let's get Kisame to do that"

---

"I'm going back to my room"

Itachi nodded, his eyes closed. Reiyana got up, a slight pain in her lower belly after their recent activity. As she neared the door, she heard hushed voices. She opened it, and there was no one. Keeping alert, she pretended she didn't notice and went into her bedroom. Once she closed the door, she pressed her ear against it.

"Do you think she's gonna be mad?" this was Deidara's voice.

"Maybe, maybe not. She's a missing-nin anyways. Why would she care about that Shukaku kid?" said Sasori.

"Well, he is her neice. Did she show any signs of affection?"

"Not that I have seen. Once she finds out, Shukaku will out of the kid, and if she does care for him, what's she gonna do? She can't fight all of us."

"I guess you're right. I need sleep, or else you'll be dragging me to Suna tomorrow morning."

Reiyana's mind was processing the information and anyalizing the best solution to protect Gaara. Rushing over the her closet, she ripped the door open and dressed in her original attire. As she sat down to pull her boots down, a sharp pain errupted from the side of her head. She hadn't had migrains since she had come to Akatsuki, and this one was particularly painful.

They were going to take the Shukaku out of Gaara, and that would kill him. She wouldn't let them do that.

--