Itachi watched Mei as she tossed and turned in her sleep. Although the illusion was over, her body was not ready to wake up. She cried a little in her sleep and whispered something under her breath. Her long hair stuck to her cheek and her lips and Itachi gently pushed it out of her face. Her lips were slightly parted, and he could not resist touching them with his fingertips. She moved her lips in her sleep which made it seem like she was kissing his fingertips. Itachi's breath caught in his throat. He hurried to pull back his hand but remained close to Mei. Itachi brought his knees to his chest and hid his face, trying to figure out why he acted upon his selfishness. Thunder shook the sky and the temperature suddenly dropped. Itachi took off his cloak and covered the girl. Instinctively she snuggled to the material trying to catch the lingering warmth.

He closed his eyes trying to sort out his thoughts. What was he trying to achieve by fighting her? Itachi knew better than anyone that Mei was a weak fighter, his skills revolved around healing. Why did he take her with him? There was not a chance that she would or could stay with him. Why did he have to use the tsukiyomi on her? The image of agony on Mei's face was still vivid in his mind. He was certain that her screams would haunt him. He did not use the tsukiyomi to torment her, yet the illusions he pulled her into were an equivalent torture. Itachi sighed heavily and stood up. So, what now? What was he going to do with Mei now? He could not keep her around; letting Mei go was just a matter of time. Itachi cussed himself for complicating the situation. Mei coughed. He leaned down and pulled the cloak higher. Itachi wiped the sweat from her forehead and rested his hand on her head.

There was a loud cawing near the entrance of the cave. Itachi's head turned abruptly to see a large crow flying by the entrance but not entering. Itachi furrowed his eyebrows and walked to the entrance. The crow cawed once again and landed on his shoulder. The black eyes of the bird looked directly at Itachi conveying the message. "Delivered the scroll. Leader-sama wants to see you upon your return." Itachi nodded saw the crow off with a sign word reply "Noted".

The first raindrops landed near the entrance. The smell of wet soil rose in the air. Itachi inhaled deeply. A sharp coughing fit escaped his lips. He covered the mouth with his hand trying to keep the blood from splattering. He leaned on the wall of the cave for support when he heard shuffling from the direction of Mei. Itachi looked up, the cough stuck in his throat as his eyes met Mei's. She stood leaning on the wall with one hand, the other hand was holding his cloak, which was still wrapped around her. Her legs were still weak, and knees trembled. She looked at Itachi warily. The look in her emerald eyes was untrusting and wild. Itachi took a step closer, but the coughing fit resumed. He felt moisture in his eyes, and he rushed to blink it away.

Mei watched him battle the cough. Blood painted his pale hands red. The worry was quickly rising in her chest and she did not know how to act. When he finally stopped coughing, the blood was running down his chin and dripping on his clothes. Unable to control herself, she slowly made her way to him. Itachi tensed. Mei stopped in front of him. Her forehead only reached his chin. Mei looked up with eyes full of sadness. "What's wrong with you?" she asked.

"Nothing," he responded.

They stood in silence looking at each other. The events from the previous day flooded her mind and filling her chest with mixed feelings. Mei reached out to his face but Itachi caught her hand mid-air. The look on his face was unreadable. "Let me," Mei said calmly. It took all her will power to remain calm.

Itachi released her hand and waited. She touched his face uncertainly. The blood on his face was quickly drying; Mei pulled out a small cloth from her pocket and gently wiped his face. "When did it start?"

Itachi did not want to answer. His lips were pulled into a thin line. Mei glared lightly. "When?" she pressed.

"Almost two years ago."

Itachi looked at her uneasy. He was not sure what kind of reaction he was expecting from Mei, but definitely not interrogation about his wellbeing. He watched her reactions carefully; the inner battle was clearly written on her face. She was thinking so hard that she did not notice as her eyes darkened. She bit her bottom lip.

"What is it? Ask, if you want to know. I can see it in your eyes." he leaned closer to her and she jumped back. Itachi wanted to laugh. Mei's heart pounded crazily in her chest. She clenched onto his cloak as if it was a protective shield and could keep him away from her. Itachi walked closer to her and hovered over. Mei threw her arm out and activated her chakra. Warm blue light flowed from her hand to Itachi as she rushed to move her hand up and down, scanning his body. Itachi growled and grabbed her hand, breaking the contact. "Stop this," he spat, but she was finished.

Mei felt his strong grip on her arm, but she ignored it. She looked up. Her eyes glistered with moisture. "Itachi," her voice was quiet. "You are…"

/

"You said that the hideout was protected!" Sasuke's voice rang with anger as he cornered Kabuto. Orochimaru's loyal follower looked at the raven-haired guy calmly. He pushed the glasses up and crossed the arms on his chest.

"It is protected." He replied. He felt no intimidation from the young man in front of him.

"Then how the hell was Mei kidnapped?"

Kabuto shrugged. "Orochimaru-sama personally cast protective jutsu on the hideout and the area surrounding it, unless…" Kabuto rubbed his chin deep in thought. A sly smile spread on his face. "Unless the intruder knew the jutsu."

"What do you mean by that?" Sasuke tensed not liking where the conversation was going.

"I mean, the only one who could have known the jutsu cast by Orochimaru-sama, must have seen him do it before." Kabuto said thoughtfully. "Like you and I," Kabuto smiled slyly. "…or his previous Akatsuki partner."

Sasuke's gaze was stern as he looked at Kabuto from under his eyebrows. Kabuto continued sorting the test tubes in Orochimaru's laboratory, completely unfazed by Sasuke's deadly aura.

"So," Kabuto said. "What are you planning to do now?"

Sasuke did not answer. He spun around and rushed out of the door, slamming the door loudly.

/

They looked at each other in silence. The space around them seemed to narrow and pressure increased from the words unsaid. Mei looked at him with undisguised pain and pity. Bitter taste suddenly filled his mouth. He did not want her pity.

"What now?" Mei asked.

Itachi tried to interpret what she meant. In which context she was asking her question. "Meaning?" he questioned.

"What are you planning to do with me now?" she elaborated. "You found me, fought me, kidnapped me, used your Sharingan on me… what is the next trick up your sleeve, Itachi?"

The way his name rolled off her tongue make him shudder. He took a step closer to her, forcing Mei to take one back.

"Little Mei suddenly got brave?" Itachi's rough hand cupped her face firmly. With the fingertips of the other hand he traced her lips, then chin and neck. Neck.

Mei patted her neck nervously searching for the pendant, but it was not there. She turned her head around looking for it desperately. She could not have lost it. The chain was strong. He did not like it. He did not like not having her full attention when she was right in front of him. Itachi grabbed her hand and spun the girl around. His chest connected with her back and strong arms wrapped around her body. Itachi inhaled her scent as he held her in place firmly. "It is not here," he said into her hair.

"What did you do?" she asked anxiously. "What did you do to it?" her voice started to seep with irritation. "Itachi,"

He wanted to hear it again.

"Say it again," he demanded.

"What did you do to it?" Mei tried to turn around to face him, but he held her in place.

"Say it again," Itachi repeated.

"It was important to me! It was a present from…"

"Say it again!" Itachi barked angrily.

Mei gulped. "What?"

Itachi held her tighter and rested his chin on her head. His eyes were closed. He was enjoying the feel of this girl in his arms. It has been too long since the last time he held her. Last time his arms were wrapped around her in such a way was with her consent and she was smiling at him. And now her rigid body was ready for an escape as soon as he would give her a chance. "Say my name, Mei," he whispered into her hair. "Say it," he wanted to hear it again. Even if it was the last time, she would say it, Itachi needed it.

"Itachi," she said relatively calmly. "What did you do to my pendant? Please…it is important to me."

"I left it near the lake. If you are lucky, maybe you will find it."

"Why… why would you do that?" she snapped. Why was he doing this to her? Why did he become this way? What happened to the Itachi who loved his brother and treated her with care?

"Do you know why little Sasuke gave you it to you?" Itachi turned her around. Their chests touched. She looked at him in confusion. Itachi sneered. "You have always been so naïve, Mei." he chuckled darkly.

"Itachi, what do you want from me? Do you want to kill me too? Do you want to get rid of the last person your brother is close to?" Her heart was beating fast and painfully as she said those words. Mei felt the weight of the world of her shoulders. She was aware of what he could do to her. Itachi has always been exceptionally strong. She saw what he had done to the clan…to his parents, and yet her fear was quickly being replaced by the feeling of fatigue and inevitability.

Itachi held Mei closer, savouring the moment. She did not hug him back nor did she try to break free. Mei simply stood there allowing him to hold her. Itachi stroked the back of her head, just the way he used to. It was a strange sensation and Mei did not know how to react to his caress. His hand travelled to her neck. She felt her increased pulse, as her hand travelled to her neck dimple. He leaned closer to her ear.

"What do I want from you…that's a good question." A soft kiss on the ear make her shudder. "Unfortunately, I do not have an answer for you for now." Itachi planted another kiss on her ear. "But I promise, I will let you know." His fingers found her a pressure spot on her neck. Mei tensed as realization hit her.

"Itachi, no!" she protested but it was too late. With a swift move he applied the needed pressure; her body went limp and hung in his arms.

/

He carefully eased her body on the grass where they have met. She looked peaceful. He planted a gentle kiss on her forehead and stood up. One glance was enough to know that he would be seeing her again.