Disclaimer: check chap 1.

"Itachi is still on mission?" The Uchiha asked. Konan nodded.

Nagato raised an eyebrow, "It's unusual for you to asking about him."

"I want to ask him something but—Well, okay, spill it guys," Obito sat and drinking sake with the members after they had dinner. "Which one of you who sleep with Itachi?"

Deidara choked on his sake. Obito who sat beside the blonde, patted his back, "Easy, Senpai." After the Hidan's penalty for calling Deidara 'Senpai', Obito found it funny and sometimes he called the blond with senpai as well. "Shocking, huh?"

Sasori asked the Uchiha, "Why suddenly you ask that out of the blue?"

Obito grinned, "I've met Mikoto-sama in Konoha. She said that Itachi admitted he is seeing someone from Akatsuki."

"Mikoto who?" Hidan piped in.

"Itachi's mom. She looks excited at the prospect to meet Itachi's future spouse," said Obito, chuckled.

Deidara was stunned, "She is?"

"Of course, who isn't?" The older Uchiha. "Even Itachi's dad visited me to ask whether I know who is his future son-in-law! I assure you, he never visited me for social reason!" Obito looked at Konan, "I know it's not you since you are taken," then winked at the only woman in here.

Deidara was turned slightly paled at this. Itachi mentioned that their relationship will end with marriage when they became boyfriends. Other members noticed with one glance at their youngest member. When Deidara felt their eyes, he shook his head slowly as their translated as he didn't want Obito to know that he was the one Itachi's dated. He was not ready to talk about the probability of his future parents-in-law.

Hidan, maybe always have childish banter with Deidara but like Sasori, he cared about blond like a best friend. Hence, he tried to change the topic, "Why do you call Itachi's mom with 'sama'? Is she has a high social status?"

"Well, she is the granddaughter of our Nidaime Hokage. This means she is the grand-niece of our founders so yes, she is," explained Obito, munching edamame.

Words sunk in and Deidara widened his eyes, "Wait, isn't that means Itachi is the great-grandson of your previous Hokage?"

Instead of Obito, Yahiko was the one who answered that, "Yes, he is." As the leader, it was natural for Yahiko to check the background of his members. Konan looked at Deidara, "Don't you know that?"

"No," he looked around, "All of you knew about that?"

The other members here (minus one) confirmed, "Yes."

Hidan raised his hand, "I don't."

Kakuzu huffed, "No one expects you to know."

Before Hidan could voice out his annoyance, Deidara cut in, "Did Itachi told you guys?"

"No," Sasori said flatly, "He never told us personally but the fact of his heritage came naturally considering he is a prodigy since he was so small. He is extraordinary even before he joined us."

Obito added in, "That's one of the reason he was recruited to join. In Konoha, his fans called him with 'Itachi-sama' everywhere."

"Fans?" Deidara said incredulously.

Obito laughed, "Yes, I bet they will cry their eyes out if they know Itachi choose someone." The blonde was dumbstruck while Obito was merely amused. "I can imagine it."

Hidan laughed, "Awesome! Is that happens every time Itachi had a lover before?"

"Well, I can't say for sure," Obito shrugged, "Itachi never had a boyfriend nor a girlfriend as long as I know him."

Deidara couldn't hold his curiosity, "How come? If he is as popular as you describe, he can't be singles." Itachi mentioned to him that his clan was famous but he failed to mention his own popularity.

Nagato thoughtfully picked his words, "Now you mention it, I think Obito is right."

"What? Why?" The blond was puzzled.

"We recruit him since he barely a teenager. If there is no mission, he stayed here, and on his days off he went back to his family at Konoha then back here again. He never gets anywhere other than here, Konoha, or mission places," the Uzumaki elaborated.

Obito continued, "PLUS! In Konoha, Itachi mostly rests at home. No date, no get-together with his peers, nothing. In other words, he has no life. Boring. Well, that's expected since he is a good son."

"But, maybe no one knows?" Deidara still couldn't believe it. "He could be hide it?"

"Yeah, right, the time he had was not enough for him to dating," Obito reasoned. "He grew up with us. We will know if he had one before. You too."

Nagato provided a fact, "Well, if I remember correctly, Itachi did postponed his answer a bit longer than we expected after we recruited him but I don't think at that time he has a lover already. He was 12 years old."

"Maybe he has one-nighters that we don't know about? He can just choose anyone he wants," As soon as the question was out, silence followed and all members stared at him incredulously. Bewildered, the blond asked, "What?"

"I didn't realize your ignorance level is this bad," commented Sasori.

Hidan shockingly added, "Even I know, Deidara-chan."

"About what?" Deidara raised an eyebrow.

"It's Itachi," Kakuzu said it like it explained everything.

Pissed off, Deidara said, "You need to give me more than that."

Konan replied, "He is an Uchiha."

"What's your point?" Deidara frowned.

All eyes were on Obito as the man looked amused, "I've gotta say, I'm surprised someone doesn't know about my clan." He turned his head towards Deidara and explained, "Well, since you don't know at all, to begin with, my clan is well-known for our sharingan and very proud of it. Do you know how it triggered?"

Deidara shook his head so Obito continued, "By our love."

"Love?"

The older man nodded, he said in a serious tone, "When an Uchiha writes in agony over a great love or disappointment of themselves, a unique chakra was released reacts with the optic nerves change the appearance of the person's eye. The eye that reflects the hearts.* That's what our Sharingan is."

His sharingan activated as he pointed at his eyes, "In short, our clan is affected by love greatly. For us, love is important. Once an Uchiha loves someone or something, it won't change." Then, his eyes back to normal and he grinned at Deidara, "It's unthinkable for an Uchiha changes partner easily for something as intimate as you suggest."

"Some of them went mad after lost their loved ones," Kakuzu helped to elaborated. Obito offended, "HEY!"

"It's a fact, Obito."

"Yeah, but it's genetic, nothing we can do about it!"

Sasori noticed Deidara was speechless and overwhelmed. By their conversations earlier and what the members heard when eavesdropped, Sasori somehow he could guess Deidara's line of thought. It was not hard to guess, mostly due to Hidan's last remark. He was trying his best to reassure the blond in his way by asking Obito, "Are you saying an Uchiha is always in a relationship based on love?"

"Of course! Like me and my wife, we've known each other since we were a Genin!" he replied proudly.

Sasori's next question was, "Will an Uchiha propose a relationship without a love?"

"What? It's very unlikely, if it's one of my clan who wants to have a relationship, I safely can say that he or she must be interested already. We don't take a relationship lightly. Either we give it all or nothing at all," explained Obito.

Deidara widened his eyes briefly and his thought went to Itachi. If what Obito said was true and not some sympathy words (considering Obito has just arrived, it was doubtful that he knew Deidara was Itachi's boyfriend), then Itachi would give his all into their relationship. That thought warmed the blond's heart and eased his insecurity being inexperienced in dating.

He excused himself to go to his room and after he left, Obito realized, "Back to the topic, so, which one of you who is being Itachi's lover?"

The members rose to their feet and leave without a word.

"Wait! Where are you guys going!?" Obito was puzzled.

—000—

Three nights later, one day away from Akatsuki's headquarters, Itachi and Kisame camped out on the edge of a river after finished their mission. They rested at the trunk of a tree.

"Say, Itachi-kun, are you going to change mission partner for next month as well?" asked Kisame.

The young Uchiha silence for a moment before said, "No. I think we don't need to change. Our fighting style is different from Sasori and Deidara. I think it's for the best that we don't change partner."

Kisame smirked knowingly, "Ah, yes, fighting style, sure."

Itachi glanced at Kisame who felt his eyes on him and turned his head to Itachi who sat on his right side. The older man asked lightly, "Are you sure that's the reason you don't want to change partner?"

Itachi stayed silent and merely stared at Kisame who continued, "Perhaps it's not because you will be distracted by the sight of Deidara getting hurt in front of you?"

The younger man looked away and started at the river in front of them. Kisame snickered, "Don't be shy, Itachi-kun. I always knew you had a soft spot for him since the beginning."

"What do you mean?"

"When we and Sasori recruited him, you offered yourself to fight him and you won but Deidara was unscathed since you used your genjutsu," Kisame elaborated. "Should he fight me or Sasori, he would be hurt. You knew that."

The Uchiha neither confirmed nor denied but it was enough for Kisame. "And it's not only because you think he is attractive, right?" He jested. But, Itachi felt guilty, he remembered a week ago.

"I'm sorry, Kisame, I didn't mean that you are not attractive—"

Kisame chuckled, "Relax, I'm just kidding, Itachi-kun. You are too young for my taste. You know that I have my eyes on another Konoha's shinobi, don't you?"

Itachi smiled, "I know."

"Deidara may be oblivious, but I know an Uchiha won't be in a relationship with no feelings despite the political reason," Kisame said softly. "I heard from Kakuzu about a rumor regarding your founders. It's said that your great-granduncles, Hashirama and Madara Uchiha were in love before and choose to be together, that's why the cease-fire between Uchiha and Senju was successful."

Itachi chuckled, "Well, it's not too far off from the truth." He drank from his water flask before stated, "What I heard from my mother was slightly different. My great-grandfather Izuna raised my mother, so he told her that actually the arranged marriage between Uchiha-Senju was Shodaime Hokage should marry Izuna Uchiha and Madara Uchiha should marry Tobirama Senju, but four of them refused that. According to my great grandfather, yes, they were in love with their Senju spouses before the ceasefire."

"Interesting," Kisame nodded. "So, how's with Deidara?"

"I don't want to burden him so I haven't told him more than he need to know at the moment," Itachi said softly. "If he chooses to back away before we go too far, I won't stop him." His voice was firm but Kisame noticed Itachi's fingers slightly tightened his water flask.

"But, you wish it will never happen," Kisame voiced out what Itachi left unsaid and once again there was no confirmation nor denial.

At first, Itachi thought of Deidara as a little brother. Like Sasuke to him but mouthy. He was the youngest of them. Many would find him annoying but Itachi thought he was amusing albeit he never did anything out of a mission. For instance, the way Deidara glared at him for the first year he joined because he lost to Itachi. It was not the first time someone glared at him because they lost to Itachi but if others contain a desire to kill Itachi in their glare, Deidara's has no such thing. Even those misty blue eyes showed a tint of admiration under all those layered feelings.

Oddly enough, Itachi enjoyed Deidara's glare because of that. It reminded him of Sasuke. Annoyed because Itachi bested them but silently admitted that Itachi was indeed admirable. Well, in Sasuke's case, Itachi was his role model and target for his development. They were brothers, Sasuke's respect for Itachi was expected but Deidara's concealed admiration was not.

Furthermore, unlike his younger brother, Deidara wore his heart on his sleeve so it was something interesting to him. Maybe because it was the opposite of him. Slowly but surely, he spent his time thinking about the blonde. Nothing like resembles of love yet but was heading there faster than Itachi intended.

—000—

Back to the headquarters, Itachi went to his room after reported to Konan. He knew that Deidara was back. Konan told him. Yet, when he opened the door to his room, he saw Deidara sat on the edge of the bed and stared at him. He felt those misty blue eyes bore into his onyx ones. Since in his brain, he put Deidara as family already, so out of habit, Itachi said, "Tadaima (I'm home)."

Deidara's eyes widened briefly. He didn't expect that kind of greeting. It may be a habit for Itachi, but Deidara who was stayed mostly alone at Iwa, rarely have the privilege to said, "Okaeri (Welcome home)." It felt weird on his lips because he almost never said it in his life. But, it felt good to say it.

Itachi went to his side in the room, he took off his Akatsuki's cloak while addressed at the blond, "How's your mission, Deidara?"

"It was done four days ago," replied the younger man. His eyes followed every movement of Itachi and the Uchiha knew but chose not to speak of it.

Deidara couldn't take his eyes off Itachi. What Obito said (four days ago) about Uchiha's association with love has been affected Deidara. He saw Itachi in a new light. When they started dating, he was still in disbelief. If Itachi never kissed him (especially, in the public and have witnesses), he may be thought all of this was only an illusion. He thought Itachi chose him randomly. That was why he decided to try with no long-term plan in mind. He thought they could broke up anytime. But… this may be more serious than his first thought.

Surprisingly, Deidara found himself didn't mind that.

Yes, he did had a doubt the last few days, but now, gazed into those black eyes of the Uchiha, the doubt has vanished. There was something in Itachi's eyes that stirred up Deidara's feelings. Not a genjutsu nor an art, but it successfully created this urge inside Deidara to wanted to hug the Uchiha. He gasped softly at the thought and threw his eyes on the floor.

Wow, wow, what the hell was that? I want to hug him, un?!

His cheeks shaded red in a second. He tried to reason in his mind that they just get together one week ago. Yes, this afternoon they met again after went on different missions. However, where was this longing come from? Did he really miss Itachi this much? His face reddened the more he thought about it.

Itachi noticed Deidara's eyes turned away from him. Somehow, he felt disappointed when he noticed twin misty blue eyes were not on him anymore. Stiffened, Itachi was surprised at his own thought. At his disappointment. Did the blonde has affected him this much? He wouldn't think more of it if he didn't see how red Deidara's face was. A concern leaked on his voice, "Deidara?"

The blonde heard worry from Itachi's voice and he slowly turned his eyes back to Itachi. The moment he did that, his heart beating wildly and he thought, 'Screw it!'

He ran to Itachi and hugged him tightly. He was so embarrassed and buried his face on the taller man's chest. He missed his boyfriend so much! Deidara's voice muffled, "You take too long to finish your mission."

Itachi's eyes widened the moment Deidara put his hands on his torso and eliminated any distance between their body. Even the genius Itachi Uchiha needed a second to register what was just occurred. His brain seemed to catch up when Deidara's words were voiced out. Was it the blond's way to say he missed Itachi? The Uchiha believed the answer was yes.

Itachi's hands found their way to embraced Deidara gently. He rested his right cheek on Deidara's crown and couldn't help a small curved on his lips as he said, "I'm sorry. I wish I could finish it sooner." Itachi kissed the blond hair and whispered with emotion, "I miss you, Deidara," tightened his arms around his boyfriend.

Deidara felt his heart warmed and his face in the deep shade of red. He leaned his cheek to rest on top of Itachi's broad chest, shyly he mumbled, "Me too." He whispered in the same manner, "I miss you, Itachi, un."

Oh, Itachi didn't know that those simple words could make him delighted. He leaned away as he stroke beautiful golden hair. Deidara followed suit and looked up to found Itachi's face bare with emotion for the first time. His gaze softened, his lips curved a smile which made him more attractive than normal, his hands caressed Deidara's cheek tenderly.

It should be a crime to be this handsome, un!

Itachi could see the admiration in those misty blue eyes intensified and pleased to know that. He leaned forward slowly, to let Deidara realized what he intended to do. Itachi waited patiently as the blond took his time before finally the realization sunk in. Wordlessly, Itachi let Deidara decided to accept or refuse after the blond noticed. He was more than happy when Deidara bashfully leaned forward as well. They closed their eyes at the same time and their lips finally met.

Suddenly, the door opened.

"Itachi!" Obito went it with a teasing grin. "Your mom told me your sweetheart is in Akat—" his brain finally activated as the sight welcomed him.

He froze.

Thanks for reading! Please review if you don't mind!

a.abchohan: the last chapter was not a fast update, it was ready but I was waiting for you to review it before I posted it hehe actually, I planned this story to be 5 shoots but now chap 4 and it's not even the half of the story yet LOL oh, no, Sasori's lover is not Sakura. His lover is someone from Suna as well. Can you guess who? ;) I think I forgot to thank you for always giving me a review of each chapter! you are my booster to update! XD