Rayne Says: Gosh it's been a while since I updated this story. Like ages... Anywho I have great news! I know this how the story ends. Therefore, who Mizuka ends up with, the gender and number of her kids, and names! And... (drumroll please) there's going to be a sequel!!! Yay! So read on! Also, the pregnancy is a major part of the story.

Intrigue

I spend the night wrapped in Deidara's arms, all the while feeling unfaithful because I'm remembering Itachi's scorching kiss. Otherwise, I sleep peacefully and I don't have any nightmares.

When I wake up I'm alone. I immediately grope around the bed for Deidara, but he's not there. Instead my hand wraps around a sheet of paper. I hold it in front of my eyes and read it.

Dear Mizuka,

You look so beautiful when you sleep. Sorry I couldn't stay

until you woke up but Hidan's so impatient.

Remember, I love you!

Love,

Deidara

I clutch the note in my hand and sigh. I didn't get to say goodbye. Damn. I get up and immediately throw my guts up. Note to self: leave crackers by the bed.

After I'm done puking, I go into the kitchen and make breakfast for what few members we have. As I'm clearing the table I recognize a familiar redhead standing by the couch.

"Hey Sasori, you're back," I say.

"Yes. How are you?"

"Fine."

"And the baby?"

"Good."

"That's nice to know."

"Why do you even care?" I ask.

"I don't like it when tools are defective."

"Is that what I am to you? A tool?"

"If you remember correctly, I originally wanted you as a puppet. The offer still stands."

"Um… thanks?"

"You're welcome," he says, walking toward Rei's office.

Sometimes Sasori freaks me out.

I sit down on the couch and rest a hand on my stomach. "Well baby, let's hope that Rei lets us go to Konoha, huh?"

Sasori glides back into the room and lazily makes a come hither movement with his hand.

"Yeah?"

"Leader wants to see you."

"Really?" I ask, excited.

"Yes."

I follow him to Rei's office where he knocks once, listens, and then let's me in.

"Good morning, Mizuka," Rei greets.

"You too," I reply.

"I've come to a decision."

"And?"

"You may go."

"Yes!" I shout joyously. "Thank you so much!"

"However, I have also chosen your partner."

"Who is it?" I ask.

"Me," a familiar voice says from behind me.

I turn around, "B-But you're supposed to be on a mission."

"I was better suited for the job than anyone else was," Itachi says.

"You did say anyone," Rei comments.

"I didn't think you would take someone off a mission."

"Itachi was only the back-up. He knows Konoha better than anyone and he can maintain a believable transformation for the longest."

"I guess so," I mumble.

"You shall leave tomorrow morning," Rei commands. "You can come up with your story on the way there."

"Thanks," I say.

I walk out of the room and Itachi follows silently. As soon as we're out of Rei's hearing range, I push Itachi into the wall. "What are you playing?"

"I'm not playing anything."

"You overheard us yesterday, didn't you?"

"You are very loud; it was hard not to hear."

"You didn't have to volunteer!"

"He wasn't going to let you go."

"What?"

"If I hadn't volunteered you wouldn't be going at all."

"You're lying!"

"I'm not. What reason would I have to lie?"

"Why would Rei not let me go?" I question.

"As long as you do not hinder the Akatsuki's goals you may live. This wish of yours straddles the line."

"I-I don't understand," I say, crumbling to the floor. My mind can't process the fact that without Itachi my child would most likely die. Why is he being so nice to me?
"Why are you doing this?" I whisper.

"Personal interest," he replies.

"I already told you, I love Deidara-"

"I know that, but you never gave me a chance did you?"

"You've been a complete ass to me since the moment we met. I don't need to get to know you!"

"You don't see it, do you? Are you that blind?"

"What am I supposed to be seeing, huh?"

"I'm a completely different person when I'm alone with you. I can be myself."

"I don't care," I say, standing up and walking down the hall.

"I think you do. I think you care a lot," he says softly.

I walk into my room and collapse of my bed. What the hell does Itachi mean? He's no different than he is normally when he's alone with me. Right? My mind starts flashing through the memories that contain any smidgen of Itachi in them. Come to think of it—he's right. He always seems relaxed around me. His chakra is less tense and hostile; in fact it's down right calm. When I tried to escape he was the only one I didn't fight with physically (besides Rei and Tobi). Why didn't I ever notice?

I try to concentrate on the feelings that I have for Deidara, but it's hard to focus. Do I really love Deidara?

Why am I questioning this?

It doesn't matter. I won't even get to see Deidara for seven months. Unfortunately, I will have to see Itachi. Ugh.

When did my life get so complicated?

I stare at the ceiling, my hand resting on my belly. I love this baby, but it's seriously screwing up my life. I can't fight, can't train, and I have to be near Itachi for an extended period of time without being able to protect myself very well. Is this kid trying to get me killed?

I sigh and get up to pack. What do you take on an extended mission to a ninja village when you're partner happens to be a guy who scares you? In answer to my question I pack a lot of weapons. Upon remembering that I'm posing as a civilian I take out weapons that scream, "Ninja!" Which leaves me with some kitchen knives. Great. I put a few items of clothing in my pack, knowing that I'll have to buy maternity clothes pretty soon. I pack a few books to read on the way and decide that I'm done. I hadn't realized until now how little I own.

I set my bag by the door and decide to eat. I walk into the kitchen where there is thankfully no one. I fix myself two cartons of lime chicken ramen and impatiently wait for them to be done. I'm eating more than I normally would since I'm eating for two now. When I'm done I walk into the living room and flip through channels until I find something slightly interesting to watch.

I spend the next three hours boring myself to death. It seems to work because by four o'clock I'm tired. I turn the TV off and walk back to my room. I lay back down on my bed and think of a few extra things I might need for the journey to Konoha. An idea strikes me and I start wandering through the halls until U reach a door. I knock on the door and wait for an answer. None comes.

"Um, Zetsu? It's Mizuka. Can I talk to you?" I ask hesitantly.

"Yes?" a voice asks, starting me. I whirl around and face Zetsu.

"Do you have any plants that might help ease my morning sickness?"

"Yes/Not that we'll give you any."

He glides by me and opens the door from the inside. I hesitantly follow him and gaze around my surroundings. I've never been in Zetsu's room before. His is plain and unassuming; the only thing that clearly says that it's Zetsu's is the amount of plants. Plants of every color and type. Big plants and little plants. The air is fragrant and overwhelming with the aroma of so many plants

Zetsu wanders over to a particular row and begins searching for something. He returns and gives me a small batch of plants.

"These will help/or kill you hopefully," he says, also handing me some written instructions.

I nod my head and leave the room. I pack the plants carefully away and lay back down on my bed and close my eyes. I'm on the edge of falling asleep when I hear a knock on my door. I lazily stand up and wander over to the door and open it. I gaze up at Kisame with an incredulous look.

"What?" I snap.

"Sorry to wake you, but Itachi wants to speak with you."

"Too bad. I'm tired."

"Can't you just cooperate with me?" he asks.

"Nope," I say, going back to my bed and nestling under the covers. I'm startled back awake when a pair of scaly hands grabs me. "Kisame! Let me go!"

"Listen, Itachi told me to bring you to him by any means necessary."

"Uh!" I groan, giving in and nestling into Kisame's arms, trying to go back to sleep. Thankfully my body adjusts and I begin dozing. That is, until Kisame drops me onto a bed. I force my eyes to stay shut, assuming that I'm in Itachi's room, and cuddle myself into the bed.

"Was she much trouble?" Itachi's voice asks.

"Eh, she was a bit cranky when I woke her up."

"Thank you, Kisame."

I hear the door close and manage to keep my eyes glued. I feel Itachi come closer, but resist the urge to snap up and run away. I'm a big girl. Big girls don't run away from overgrown Weasels. Big girls don't panic at the sound of soft breathing. And big girls most certainly don't scream when Weasels starts playing with their hair. Of course, I did scream.

He instantly removes his hand from my hair and eases away. I sit up and glare at him. "Okay, I'm awake. Now what do you want?"

"You still have to spend the night in a member's room," he states.

"Then I'll room with Tobi, not you."

"Leader thought it best that you become used to my constant presence. We are going to spend the next six and half months together after all."

"Don't remind me."

" I do not want you to mistake me for an enemy and try to attack me."

"Try? Please, I would be sure to wound you in some way," I comment.

"I wouldn't doubt that if you weren't pregnant, however you are."

"Whatever, is that all you wanted?"

"We need to discuss our cover story."

"Can't we do that tomorrow?" I whine.

"Now would be best."

"Actually, it wouldn't."

"Why not?"

"In case it's not obvious, I'm exhausted."

"A ninja must learn to overcome exhaustion."

"Too bad I never became a genin."

"Why not?"

"Daddy thought it best to keep me for himself."

"Then how did you learn jutsu?"

"That's a secret I don't feel like telling you."

"Very well."

Wow. If he were Deidara he probably would have pestered me until I told him.

"Can I go to sleep now?"

"Perhaps," he says, a coy smile upon his lips. I do not like the look of that smile. What if he's thinking of—ew. Oh God, Mizuka, stop thinking now.

I steal a blanket and walk to a corner, only to feel a warm hand wrap around my wrist and jerk me back to the bed.

"You aren't sleeping on the floor," he orders.

"And I'm not sleeping in the same bed as you."

"I never stated that I would be in the bed."

"Then where are you sleeping?" I ask.

"I will sleep on the floor."

"What? You don't have to."

"I have to remain in the room with you, and since you are so uncomfortable with the idea of sharing a bed…"

"Stop using logic to make me feel guilty."

"I'm just stating facts."

"Then stop doing that."

"Very well. Good night."

"You are not sleeping on the floor," I order, crossing my arms over my chest.

"But-"

"Get in the damn bed with me. But no funny stuff or I will "try" to injure you until you can't move. Got that?"

"Hn."

I move myself to the edge of the bed and snuggle into my pillow. I feel a weight join me on the bed, but ignore the part of me that wants to jump up and run away. I close my eyes and concentrate on my breathing. This way I can ignore the other person's breathing.

I immediately notice when Itachi falls asleep because all of the tenseness in his body vanishes. God, it's like he's prepared for a fight at any moment. I yawn and sink deeper into my pillow, finally allowing myself to dream.

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