Updated: June 2020.

I do not own Naruto.

XxItachi's POVxx

Something so pure should not exist. Her clear, innocent eyes made him heat. Her pale skin made him want to touch it, and mar it with his darkness. She was so petit and dainty; he could easily crush her.

Why did she exist?

The woman hurried down the street, clutching a basket to her chest. The wind blew, making her hair fan out behind her. The slender lines of her neck, elegant and smooth, ah, he wanted to bite her. He wanted to see lines of crimson decorate her like rubies.

Her very existence made him mad.

Why did such a thing exist?

She stopped suddenly. He watched as she began to turn, curious as to why she stopped. Her pupil-less eyes searched the darkness where he hid, her trembling shoulders just barely visas to him.

But, it would be impossible for her to see him. After all, he was the darkness itself. He was the commander of it, a Demon.

"Please… Leave me alone." She said, her voice a song that sent a thrill through him. How particular. She gave one final look before hurrying along again. She must have thought a human was following her, it seemed. After all, there was no way she would be able to sence him.

Ah, now that he thought of it. It was highly inappropriate for a lady to be walking alone so late.

Why would she be out?

He decided to keep following her.

Into the dark forest she went. What was the woman doing? He kept following her, curiosity was ravaging him. She followed a small trail. She seemed to know it well, because she did not misplace one step.

Why was she going to the caves? He knew this area. It was full of underground networks, and housed three well-known demons. All supernatural tended to stay away from the area, yet the lady approached the caves fearlessly. Did she have no sense of preservation?

He was not allowed past the trees, he paused. He would be breaking their truce if he took a step out. So, he watched as she entered the caves.

He stayed there, waiting. There was no smell of blood, nor any screams of agony.

"Itachi." It was Deidara, Sasori's mate. The blond demon was well known for his deadly Pyrokinesis abilities. He was a pair with Sasori, who was known for his affinity with wood and earth. The two were opposites, yet have been mated for… Hell, he didn't know. A very long time.

"Deidara." He spoke, acknowledging the other Demon. He turned his attention back to the cave.

But, Deidara was having none of that. "So, why are you here, Itachi?" He asked, leaning against a tree. The tree shook lightly, letting him know Sasori was also watching.

"Reasons." He answered. He didn't care for the Demon's of these caves, so they did not need to know his interest in the woman.

"Is it Hinata, hm?" The blond asked, making him look over. Blue eye crinkled in a frown, his pale pink lips turning downwards. So, that was her name? "I will take that as a yes." Deidara's hair started to crackle, then flame started to sprout around the in little balls. The forest brightened, the trees swaying. No fire went near the wood, probably out of courtesy for his partner. Ah, but a show of power? "You better leave the woman alone, yeah." How interesting. Not that he cared. He was also a demon of flame. Fire would not harm him.

A sound coming from the cave made him look over. Hinata, as Deidara named her, came out followed by Sasori and his little brother Gaara. Both looked to him, putting their hands on either of her shoulders. Ah, were they claiming her? It seemed oddly possessive. She was only human after all. That, and Sasori was the known mate of Deidara.

"Be careful out at night, Hinata." Sasori spoke, grey eyes leaving him. Did his eyes soften slightly when they met with hers? Yes, they did. How curious.

"Yes. Careful." Gaara said, eyes not once leaving him. Did the Sand demon dare challenge him? He made a small sound of amusement.

Deidara left from the trees, running at the girl. Was he going to attack her for being friendly with his mate? He readied himself for blood, but then something unexpected happened.

Deidara scooped the girl up into his arms bridal style, then proceeded to swing them around in a circle.

Oh.

This made him question her relationship with them further. A woman was not allowed to have a man touch her so intimately until marriage.

"Goodnight, Hinata~" Deidara held her tight a moment longer before setting her down. She looked slightly frazzled, and a bit flustered. Then, she smiled. Ah, how could such a creature exist? That smile, it hit a spot in his heart that died long ago.

Then, slowly, her eyes turned to meet his. Her smiled dimmed, her eyes squinting as if forcing herself to keep the smile. He blinked, tilting his head. She couldn't see him, right?

Ah, he was no longer wrapped in the dark, he mused. In his little talk with Deidara he forgot to reshroud himself. Instead, he was visible to her. Those pearlecant orbs trailed over his face, making his chest warm in an odd way.

Those eyes turned away from him, making him blink as the warmth left. The girl looked to Sasori, Deidara, then Gaara finally. Her brow furrowed slightly as he fumbled with her basket. He could not hear her words, but was able to pick up Deidara's response.

"Don't worry, Hinata." Deidara put his hand on her head. She looked so small beside his large stature. It made him wonder, just how tall would she be beside him? "We will protect you." It was directed more to him, then her. So, he wanted him to hear. Amusing.

Just what was their relationship with the girl?

"I… Should get going. Goodnight, everybody." She gave such a sweet smile, so sweet it made his teeth hurt. It was like that time he had purchased expensive candy, and gorged. His stomach twisted at the thought.

"Safe travels, Hinata." Gaara spoke, nodding to her. He met Gaara before. He was surprised the boy was being so talkative. He used to be one of the most savage of them all. Him, Deidara, and Sasori were twisted, but Gaara used to massacre whole villages to satisfy his cravings for blood. Yet, here he was talking civilly with the woman.

"Yes, make sure to be safe." Sasori pat her head, his lips tilted ever so slightly upwards. Sasori was known to have little emotion, even in demon standards. And talking? He never replied unless necessary, from his knowledge. Yet, here he was basically smiling at her.

Then, there was Deidara. "Shall I walk you back?" He asked her, his smile much to bright for the dark night. She shook her head, to which Deidara laughed, wrapping his arms around her in a hug once again. She smiled, that sweet smile that made his teeth hurt and stomach twist. "Always so stubborn, yeah?" She nodded, hugging him back briefly. "You're still going to visit him, hey?" She nodded, looking a bit shy.

How odd.

She looked at him once more, before making her way to the trail. He melted into the darkness, ready to follow her once again.

He was just too intrigued.

She would glance in his general direction, eyes searching. But, there should be no way for her to know where he was. At the rate she guessed his location, he was starting to suspect she could sense him. It only intrigued him more.

However.

The way she was going… It was to the river where Kisame currently resided. He was his best friend, a demon whose bloodthirst rivalled Gaara's. She dare waltz into his territory despite the rumours of the cursed waters? There were numerous missing people reported in the past few years. No sane person went near Kisame's river anymore.

Yet the girl approached the waters edge, before putting her basket down. The water rippled, and out emerged Kisame with a huge smile. Was the man excited for a human meal? He was about to step out when the man sat across from her, saying her name in a tone reserved for him. It was a friendly tone he never heard from the man use with any other being.

He dare say, he felt a bit betrayed. He did not know his friend was acquainted with a human. The thought.. jealousy bubbled from deep within him.

Kisame looked so ecstatic, it made him growl. He had enough of this.

He was going home.

It was quick, he passed through the shadows waisting no time. He flomped into his bed, glaring at the canopy.

That woman… She was still pissing him off. How dare a creature like her exist? Why did she know Kisame? Or the trio? Kisame hated humans!

….

He wanted to know more. Of them, and her.

Perhaps he would visit his 'friend' tomorrow.