And now, the moment some of you have been waiting for… it's… Okay the chapter's title gives away the secret. I loved writing this chapter and how awkward it is. I'm not use to writing romance and I am honestly happy that it reflects in Dei's actions. The chapter was a little shorter than normal, but I didn't want anything overshadowing the main focus of the chapter.

In the bottom AN I will include a mini Q and A that relates to this chapter. Just to make some lives easier. ^-^

IMPORTANT ANNOUNCEMENT after the Q and A. Please read it!

Thank you all for the faves, follows and reviews! Seriously, they are morale boosters, thank you so much.

VenaHope: Nice job guessing on who will be Sasori's partner! The Kazekage rescue arc will play out very similarly like in the anime at the beginning, but the ending will be different. (And no, that doesn't mean Gaara is dead, he will be very much alive by the end of the fic)

707cloud: If Deidara is able to use the yin and yang jutsus, they will be done completely by accident as I do not remember what that would allow him. So he's as blind as I am in this. Also, the curse mark still functions just like with Sasuke; he is an Uchiha, so he has yin chakra and the Heaven mark has yang to balance him. So if Deidara used the mark, it would have the exact same effects as it did with Sasuke where it would slowly kill him with each use.

Tawnypelt37: My beta was dying during the meeting, I could not resist adding in a troll moment from Hiruzen. It was kinda his way of getting revenge on all of the paperwork the council gave him. Lol

Mackenzie Willow: Glad you found the scroll bit funny! Hope your brother wasn't too worried! XD

Reaper: Aw thanks hun!

ElysiumPhoenix: The reaper's belly comes with a lifetime supply of popcorn! Hiruzen, Kushina and Minato all got front row seats to watch this chaos unfold! XD

Ladybug002: Thanks! Hope you like this chapter then! :D

duchessliz: Itachi has the ultimate plot armor along with Kimimaro in this story, nothing shall kill them! X3

Notsae: Being in charge of the world sounds troublesome… I share my birthday with Shikamaru, I have the right to sound like a Nara! XP

HitGamer22: Oh man, that will be a treat. Hiruzen flips his lid going "Goddamnit! I do not want to have to deal with Deidara again!" And Orochimaru just bowing his head in understanding, because Dei is not gonna leave Snakey alone for long. Not sure when I'll bring Hiruzen back, but won't be for a LOOOONNNNGGGGG time.

ArmCannos34: Dei has to be flashy at all times! Glad you laughed at the scroll bit and that you liked the chapter!

MelonLordOfMelons: ... How on earth do you come up with these things dude? You are comedy gold! XD

Jj: Teehee, here is the next chapter hun!

himekuroyuki853: Well this chapter is more on the serious side, but it has some nice line in it too. Also YES! Even when I am not around I still cause people to get creeped out! Woohoo! :D

Yurei Hanatsuki: Oh my god… I completely forgot about Yagura, thank you for reminding me! I'll include him in the next chapter. Completely slipped mine and my beta's mind cause… Itachi. Itachi kinda takes over our thought process for a while

Shinobi of the Hidden Leaf: Oh trust me, that joke will remain as long as there are Hokages in Konoha. X3

DoctorKnockers: Not sure if I'll pair up Jiraiya with Tsunade, but I might. It all depends on how the story goes in shippuden. I have some of the plot mapped out, but it's the little things that are still in the dark.

"Blah" - English

Warning: Language, not much violence, cheesiness, awkwardness. This story now officially has a yaoi couple, if you do not like yaoi, I have been very blunt with this for the past dozen or so chapters by constantly having Dei say he likes men, so not my problem. You don't like? Then don't read, simple as that.

Disclaimer: I do not own Naruto, but I bet a lot of us people with we did.


I couldn't grasp a sense of time as I waited outside the room, on occasion a nurse or doctor would zoom past me to tend to a patient. I've also watched at least a dozen people being taken to other rooms to be tended to.

Waiting was killing me, I never liked to just sit on the sidelines and wait for things to happen. The fact that I can't even be in the same room while Tsunade worked on Itachi didn't help the constant growing stress. She also managed to pick out the one damn room I couldn't sense in! I didn't even know that was possible!

To keep mind occupied, I started to sense other things in the area. I had to remove my headband to focus, as the stress was making the thing feel tight, 'Lets see… Some broken bones on the second floor… Lee is outside… awww someone just had twins!' My thoughts were cut short when I heard the door to Itachi's room shift slightly, causing my heart rate to spike up.

Tsunade stepped out, looking absolutely exhausted, but at the same time relieved. She looks at me, "How he's lived this long is a miracle in itself, no wonder no one could cure him." She wipes her forehead of the sweat that was running down her face.

"Wait, what's wrong?" I can't see Itachi because Tsunade blocked the door.

She sighs, "He had cancer in his lungs." My heart dropped for a moment, "But… I removed all of the cells. Whatever medicine he used slowed the progress to where it was still treatable… He's going to be alright." She gives me a gentle smile and a pat on my shoulder before walking away, most likely to rest.

My already jelly legs finally gave out, making me collapse against the wall as I bury my face in my knees. "Thank God… thank Kami… thank every bloody deity out there in the universe…" He's going to be okay… All I could do was express my relief in English, I felt like I could pass out right there, both my brother and Itachi were going to be okay...

A gentle tap on my head has me look up to Itachi's passive face. "Deidara we need to talk." I stood up out of confusion, with some help as my legs couldn't stop shaking and we head out to the Naka shrine.

"Itachi… Why are we here of all places, un?" I'm not sure why I felt the need to be quiet all of the sudden, but I guess I just didn't have the energy to speak louder.

"No one can overhear or interrupt our conversation." If it wasn't Itachi talking to me, I would be afraid for my safety.

Entering the secret basement with the stone tablet I wait for Itachi to speak.

"Why did you do all this?" I feel my head tilt in confusion, "You did so much to bring me to Konoha, even risking your hand to win a bet against Tsunade." He motions to the hand that I had used rasengan on, "Why?"

I grip the hand, feeling ghost pain shoot up it causing it to shake violently. "You don't get it do you…? There are people that care, un."

"Who cares about me besides Sasuke and Kisame? My clan is dead." My shoulders slack as I feel my heart getting stabbed, he never noticed…? Or is he just playing dumb?

Fuck it. "I care! Why the fuck did you think I did all of this?!" I motion to empty air, "For shits and giggles?! No! I did this because I care about you Itachi, un!"

Itachi folds his arms, "Why? Why would you care about someone like me?"

'Don't go all tsundere… don't go all tsundere… don't…' "Do I have to spell it out for you, you big idiot? I love you!" I throw my arms in the air in frustration, "Damnit Itachi! You're so socially impaired, you couldn't even notice the obvious right in front of you! I love that you are willing to put yourself on the line to protect what you care about! I love that no matter how tough things got, you kept on going! I love that you're able to see the realities in things others can't! I…"

I close my visible eye, lowering my head. Suddenly becoming shy, I hug my arm close to me as a way to become smaller, "Love that… when I'm around you, I feel safe… I can't say that about most people… just my brothers and… you..."

I sounded like a typical school girl, it's disgusting. I never had a relationship in my past life, I don't know how to confess my feelings. Now that I did I wish I had kept my mouth shut, better than risking the heartache.

Itachi doesn't say anything and that's what hurt the most, I couldn't even look at him, "Damnit Uchiha… if you're just going to reject everything I said, at least be a man and say it to me!"

Itachi walks towards me and I can't bare to open my eye, and see look of disgust probably plastered on his face. I wanted to hide in my room and never leave. I wanted to curl up in a ball and just vanish on the spot. I wanted to-

Poke

'Huh…?' I slowly open my eye and looked at what poked me, looking up I see Itachi's arm, pulling away from my forehead.

Itachi poked my forehead, and he's smiling… Not one of those Uchiha smirks, but it was that same smile that he only showed to Sasuke.

"Don't worry Deidara, I've known for quite a while now, I just wanted you to say it outloud. I didn't expect the speech though." He puts his arm down at his side as my mind proceeds to stop functioning, "I had my suspicions since our conversation at the inn, and I knew it was genuine when Tsunade told me about the bet… you've done quite a lot to prove yourself… even with the risks."

"... People always do crazy things… when they're in love…" Out of everything I could say, why the fuck did I quote Hercules?!

He lets out a breathless chuckle, "I guess so. Does this make things official then?" He develops a smirk as my body became stiff like a board.

"Eh?" Way to sound intelligent Deidara.

"Did you really think I would just let you put your heart out in front of me on a silver platter and a knife in my hand, and not at least see how this goes? Don't you agree?" He slowly began to look amused as he got close to my face.

"...Huh…?" I sound like an idiot, my brain can't form anything coherent. "But…"

He puts his forehead on mine, "The least I can do for you... For everything you have done, is give you a chance. So, Deidara, will you be my boyfriend? Or do you prefer girlfriend?" Okay, now he's just teasing at this point.

If I wasn't brain dead then, I certainly am now. All I could do was dumbly nod as I feel my face turning bright red, "Y...yes…" This was like a dream, something almost unreal.

Wait a fucking minute.

Taking a step away from the confused Uchiha I pull my bangs away from my closed eye, opening it and exposing it to natural light for the first time in five years. I could feel my pupil shrink to an unnaturally small size as my vision splits into two different forms. One brighter than the other.

But both have the same Itachi, staring back at me.

Without thinking I throw myself at him, wrapping my arms around his neck I give him a tight hug as we land to the ground with a thud. It wasn't a genjutsu, this was the real Itachi, he is actually willing to be with me.

But a thought occurred to me that made my hold on the Uchiha go slack. I slowly get off him, the pessimistic side of my brain took over, suddenly this didn't seem like a good idea.

Itachi's face goes blank, "What isn't a good idea?" I didn't mean to say that out loud.

"... Sorry… I… I tend to think of things long term…" He motions for me to go on, "Itachi, I'm a guy, un."

Itachi was now slowly raising an eyebrow, as if saying "Your point?" without having to use words.

I groan, "I'm not willing to permanently change my gender, or change any part of my body physically for anyone. You and Duck-kun are the last of your clan… excluding Obito… Wouldn't you be better off being with a woman, un?"

Itachi tilts his head slightly, "How does being with a woman connect to Sasuke and me being the last of our clan?" Is he serious right now?

"Itachi I…" I lose most of my voice, turning into more of a shameful whisper than anything else, "If we stay together long enough… I can't give you children, un."

One blink… two blinks… Itachi just sat there blinking, like his mind was slowly processing this information.

What I didn't expect was for him to chuckle, "Oh? That's what you are worried about? Deidara, you came from a world that is more technologically advanced than mine. I am fairly certain if you find the right jutsus and talk with Tsunade, you can come up with a solution."

I bow my head with a slight nod, guess that's true.

Itachi continued, "Let's not worry about that for awhile… I think it would be best if we took the time together to learn, marriage and children are things we can discuss when we are more comfortable in this relationship."

My brain stops working again, I did not mention marriage. He mentioned marriage… holy shit Itachi was thinking of marriage. (AN: I am mostly just teasing my beta right here. She wanted them to get married right away but I told her no. XD)

I quickly snap out of my shock to return a smile to Itachi, "Thank you…"

He shakes his head, "Why thank me? I should be the one thanking you."

I slowly wrap my arms around his neck again in another hug. We just sat there for a few minutes when I began to softly laugh.

"My brother is going to kill you, un."

I relax when I feel his fingers run through my hair, "Hn… Sasuke won't care either way."

As much as I wanted to just sit there and enjoy this rare moment of peace and quiet, I still had my duties as an older brother. Getting off of Itachi and helping him to his feet, we exit the shrine to collect the boys.

That night

I helped Kisame settle in an apartment not long after we left the shrine. Because it was so late, Zabuza was already home and eating with Haku, so I didn't want to bother them. I tried inviting Kisame over for dinner, but I guess Sasuke was complaining about Naruto almost living solely on ramen and he was curious about Ichiraku.

I ended up making a quite a lot of food due to the fact that I haven't had to make large meals in such a long time. Itachi and Sasuke were over and Kimimaro was finally home, usually whenever I made dinner lately, it would just be me, Sasuke and Naruto or just myself.

Though judging by Kimimaro's glare, he is not very pleased to see Itachi, maybe because he is sitting next to me.

Naruto decides to pop the question, "Deidara-nii, so… who is the big teme, datte-OW!" Naruto holds his head as I just whacked it, Sasuke snickers under his breath.

"Naruto, be polite and if you are going to compare him to Duck-kun, you should use his actual name." I calmly wipe my face with a napkin, "This is Itachi, Duck-kun's older brother… and… my…" I slowly began sinking in my chair when Kimimaro snapped to attention, despite the fact that he was in a weaker state right now… the kid was still pretty scary when mad.

"My… boyfriend, un."

There was some mixed reactions. Sasuke was choking on his rice, Naruto did a spite take on Sasuke, and Kimimaro broke his chopsticks. Itachi rubbed his brother's back to help, skillfully dodging the spray of spit and soda from Naruto and the chopsticks from Kimi.

"Since when, dattebayo?!"

"Nii-sama…" Kimimaro's voice was a low growl.

Panic mode activated, "Just a couple hours ago! I haven't been keeping any secrets about my relationships from you two, un!" I frantically waved my hands as Naruto calmed down, but Kimimaro was still mad, if his intense gaze on Itachi hinted anything.

Sasuke recovers from his near death experience, "O-okay… I did not see that coming… but…" He looks between me and Itachi before sighing, "Not surprising actually…" Based on the slight nod, guess he approved.

Naruto tilts his head, doing his closed eye pouty-lip expression, "You two don't look like a couple. I thought couples held hands, and kiss, and all that… lovey stuff, dattebayo."

Sasuke folds his arms, "That or they do all of the stuff you told us when giving us the talk on se- OW!" Now Sasuke was nursing a bump on his head, complimentary of my fist.

Nose in the air, I collect everyone's empty dishes and start to clean them, "We just started this relationship, I'm not going to make Itachi do anything until he is comfortable around me, un."

"I honestly don't mind." I nearly drop a plate when I heard Itachi spoke, these damn Uchiha are going to give me a heart attack, "Kissing and hand holding is a normal progress in a relationship." Oh thank Kami, I was worried he was thinking of the other thing.

What I didn't expect was for me to turn around and Itachi to just stand there, with the kids still at the table staring us down. Honestly, the only one here that wasn't amused was Kimimaro, but he never liked it when people got to close in my bubble anyway.

Itachi turns his head slightly to look at Sasuke, who motions him to go on while smirking. Great, the socially awkward genius is getting romance advice from his artistically evil little brother. Guess neither one of us know what to do in these kinds of situations, I only know stuff from books, movies and fanfictions, half of that stuff doesn't work out in real life.

Itachi moved closer to my face, never breaking eye contact with me, as if always asking for permission. His lips and mine are nearly in contact with each other...

When I suddenly put my finger to his lips and lean backwards at a 120° angle.

"Ooooohhh no, I am not going to let Duck-kun manipulate you into kissing me, especially when I know for a fact you have no romantic feelings for me yet, un." I gently pat Itachi's cheek a few times with my fingers before weaving around the stunned man to check Kimimaro.

"Nii-sama, why are you with him if he doesn't return your feelings…?" He lets me help him up from his seat. I only allowed him to stand on his own when he stopped leaning.

"We're in a learning stage… and… I'm happy, un." I sneak a glance at Itachi, who recovered from his shock and was watching this whole thing calmly, "I trust him."

I must have some kind of love in my eye, because Kimimaro's rage deflated to a small pout, "I still don't like it… but if he makes you happy…" He turns to look at Itachi, "If you harm Nii-sama in any way…"

"I have no intentions of harming your Nii-sama, he is important to me. Like Sasuke." Itachi proceeds to ruffle Sasuke's hair, making the duckling hide behind Naruto. He now evolved from a duck's butt to a chicken's butt in the span of five seconds, causing me to burst into laughter.

"H-Holy shit! I h-haven't laughed so much i-in a single day, in forever! Ow… my head…" Due to the fact I am animated when laughing, my head collided with the wall. Kimi was quick to check my skull, pleased when he saw no bumps.

Naruto was also laughing, mostly due to Sasuke's new hair-do. Sasuke was… predictably not amused as he tackled Naruto, "Shut up loser!" The two boys proceed to violently wrestle, they'll have some bruises in the morning no doubt.

I take a peek at the kitchen clock, "Looks like it's bedtime. Duck-kun, you know where your futon is, un." I nonchalantly wave at the boys as I head to my bedroom, Itachi on my tail like a lost pup, much to Kimi's annoyance. Naruto and Sasuke stopped fighting, only to start another arguement on who got dibs on the bathroom first.

"Is this a normal occurrence Dei-?" Said Uchiha was cut short when a pair of sweatpants smack his face, along with a new toothbrush.

I pull out my normal pajamas, which is just some plain blue sweats and a black tank, "You should see what it's like when the other boys are here. Talk about a nightmare, un. Bathroom is next door, I don't think I have a shirt you can use though."

Itachi raises an eyebrow, "Do you always keep new toothbrushes in your house?"

I give him a shrug, "Mine always need to be replaced so I keep extras around, un." To prove my point I have my palm mouths smile while I do the jazz hands. After a moment I stop and rub the back of my neck, "Sorry about… earlier in the kitchen, I didn't expect you to try and kiss me, un."

Itachi shakes his head slightly, "No, it's good that you stopped me. It helps us create boundaries, since neither of us have been in relationships…" He looks away slightly in thought.

"Thinking about Izumi, huh?" Itachi brings his attention back to me, "I know you keep your thoughts and emotions bottled up, but my ears are always open if you want to talk, un." I give him a kiss on the cheek before retreating to my bathroom to get ready, leaving the Uchiha once again, stunned.

'Gahhhh! I cannot believe I just did that! I am so cheesy, stupid! Stupid! Stupid!' I violently brushed my hair and teeth as I mentally beat myself down for sounding like a stupid Shoujo protagonist. Granted, I do not regret my actions, but I didn't have to be so cheesy.

Storming out of the bathroom, Itachi entered it while I went to check on the boys, "You all ready for-... aw…" I snap a couple of pictures at the adorable sight before me.

Sasuke was out cold on Naruto's bed, practically buried in my brother's plushie collection, with a peaceful expression. On Kimi's bed was Naruto and Kimimaro snuggled under the covers, using the dragon plush as a pillow. I think I died on the inside.

Covering Sasuke with a blanket and giving each boy a kiss on the forehead, I return to my room where Itachi was standing there clueless.

"You can sleep in here, I'm taking the couch, un." I have this weird peeve where I refuse to sleep in the spare futons, mostly because it freaks me out that I can smell everything. Sure, Neji and Sasuke have nice shampoo… but Neji's futon smells like lavender and Sasuke's almost always smells like some kind of paint or tomatos. All smells that I loath, at least futons are easy to wash.

That, and I got a new couch, it's comfy.

"Deidara, I am not taking your bed." Oh no, I am not going through this dance routine again.

"Your other options is to smell lavender all night or Sasuke's odd taste in food. Please don't argue Itachi, Kimimaro lost this battle when I first adopted him, un." Why do I have a feeling he's going to suggest something that will make me turn into a tsundere?

Itachi folds his arms- shit, I just realized he's shirtless, bad idea, "I'll sleep on the couch." He pauses when I emit a growl, "Or… We can share the futon and get use to each other."

'Does not compute.' I slam the door shut on Itachi and instantly make myself comfy on the couch, "Idiot, asking me something like that, un." It didn't take long for me to fall asleep.

Later that night

I am having a weird sense of deja vu. I woke up in the middle of the night to find myself in my futon, except this time there's an extra source of heat holding me.

Shifting around I realized that not only has Itachi moved me back to my room, but I'm being used as a teddy bear. I'm practically laying on the guy, while he's snoozing away with the sweetest expression on his face.

I tried moving, only to be stuck in a vice grip which pinned my arms between our chests as I had attempted to push away. Crap, he rolled to his side.

All I could do was just deal with this, I don't have the heart to wake Itachi up, he looks exhausted… but we are definitely going to work on sleeping positions if we are going to share a bed. I may love snuggling...

But I do not like being the teddy bear, he can be the teddy weasel.

I let out a gentle sigh and look up at my sleeping boyfriend… that's a new word to use… "boyfriend" … the more I use it, the more I like it. Nuzzling my face in the crook of his neck I relax myself enough to fall back asleep.

"Night Itachi…"

Yeah we need to work on sleeping positions.


I loved how this chapter worked out. Neither Dei nor Itachi know what to do in a relationship, so they will learn and grow closer to each other as a result. Also it's just cute how the two are trying but something goes wrong.

The following bit are some questions you guys may have gotten while reading this. If you do ask I'll answer anyway, but this at least helps lower some confusion.

Q: Why doesn't Itachi love Deidara back?

A: Itachi doesn't really know what he feels. The last time he felt something for someone else, that was Izumi and he had to kill her with the rest of the clan. He doesn't know how to love anyone besides Sasuke and those that are dead.

Q: If he doesn't love Deidara back, why did Itachi agree to be in a relationship?

A: Again, he does not know what to feel. He is willing to give the guy a chance and is going to try to make it work because he knows that something may blossom. Besides, women are scary. XD

Q: Will they get married?

A: Yes! :D

Q: When will they get married?

A: Sometime during the timeskip.

Q: Why didn't they get married right away?

A: Hush beta, the answer is still no. :P

Q: Will they have children?

A: Yes.

Q: When will they have children?

A: Not going to tell.

Q: Will Deidara become pregnant with Itachi's child?

A: For both female Dei and male Dei the answer is "No". Dei won't be pregnant and there will be no Mpreg in this story either.

Q: How will they have kids then? Adoption?

A: No adoption, I will explain it when it happens. Best to save the surprise of it all for later. That or if someone guesses correctly, I'll spill the beans.

Q: Why is Deidara uncomfortable snuggling by Itachi? He's snuggled with his brothers plenty of times.

A: There was no intimacy, they're his brothers. Itachi is his boyfriend, shirtless, and guess how close their hips are to each other.

Q: Will there be more yaoi couples? Like SasuNaru! Also what about yuri?

A: KimiNeji/NejiKimi is confirmed. No SasuNaru but I will tease you all on that. As for yuri, I have some ideas but nothing set in stone. But the majority of the pairings in this fic are straight pairings.

And now for the fun questions:

Q: Will there be a lemon? :D

A: No. :/

Q: If I offered to write you a lemon, would you accept it?

A: No. Thank you, but no. ._.

Q: Why do you not want a lemon?! D:

A: My story is rated T. Deidara will happily talk about all the times he has had a lemon moment with Itachi, but what happens in the bedroom, stays in the bedroom. Also my beta and I do not want to read that to each other. We like lemons, but no way do we want to write a lemon then say the stuff out loud.

Hope those cleared up most of the basics! Next chapter is also another important chapter… besides having Yagura in it. Some very special people will appear in it.

IMPORTANT ANNOUNCEMENT!: I cannot promise a new chapter for Saturday/Sunday and I WILL NOT be posting on the week of Christmas. If you have any questions PLEASE PM me, I WILL respond. I am NOT going on hiatus, I am celebrating Christmas with my family. Updates will most definitely resume on the weekend after Christmas around New Year's.

As always my beautiful readers, reviews are loved, I hope you all have a wonderful holiday, whichever one you celebrate. Be safe and have a Happy New Year!

Bye!