The famous hotel Itachi managed and Kisame dedicated himself to was truly beautiful. Six stories, a tennis court and conference rooms spread out over a wood lot with trails made up the hotel, certainly not a cheep place to stay I surmised.

Apparently Saturday was fairly busy, and someone had called in sick at the pool, leaving the job to none other than Kisame. It didn't bother him any, he loved the chlorinated water just as much as he loved junk food, coffee and football.

The ceiling of the natatorium was glass, and I couldn't help but notice the sky this morning, pale blue and clear. Without the pills Id acquired last night, I might have been more worried about the glass panes falling and killing me.

Kisame swam laps before his shift started and I wadded my feet in the shallow end, letting the tiny waves he caused in the surface wash over my sun tan lines on my ankles. As beautiful as this place was, I couldn't keep my mind off of Sasori. Why, after such a nice night, had he just gotten up and left me without so much as a good bye? Almost like he'd run away after he kissed me, acting like it hasn't meant anything to either of us only moments before.

"Hey, Kimi, are you earth bound?" Kisame said, louder than usual to get my attention. He towered over me, a towel around his shoulders and hair dripping wet.

"I'm fine," I replied, scooting back so I could use him to block the morning sun from my view.

"Your still thinking about Sasori," he laughed, sitting down next to me. Kisame was in his late thirties, almost old enough to be my dad, and he knew things I didn't about the world. He knew how to fix a car, cook a meal and he certainly knew when someone was lying. I shrugged, having been caught.

"Remember what Itachi said? Never mind him," Kisame spoke softly, folding his hands in his lap as he stared down at the water.

"I can't just never mind him, it's complicated," I replied, looking in to the water too as if he could see something I couldn't.

"Sometimes you have to take into account the kind of person someone else is and what kind of person you are, you have to know yourself and the other person," Kisame instructed, hauling himself up and finished up drying himself off as a family came down to use the pool, "I gotta work squirt."

I watched him climb up the life guard tower thing while deep in thought. What he'd said didn't make a lot of sense to me in that moment. I already knew I had to get to know Sasori better, but what did Kisame mean by taking into account the kind of person I was? Why did that matter? Didn't I already know myself?

I got up too and decided to go sit in the lobby for a while, watching Itachi work the front desk out of the corner of my eye as I pretended to watch whatever was on the television. I understood now why he was so tired and busy at home, a hundred people came though here an hour it seemed, complaining and needing something or other right that second. Itachi could always rectify the problem, but watching his smilie fall though out the day, I could see the stress this job brought on.

Kisame was done at four, having taken the early shift and we left together. I still hadn't given up thinking about what he'd said. What did I want from Sasori? I tried to tell myself it was nothing, or that I just wanted him as a friend, but I couldn't lie to myself about him like I lied about alcohol. I liked him, a lot.

He didn't feel the same about me.

After thanking Kisame I drug myself around the house and tried to do some cleaning, which ended up being not a lot. I called dinner in for later and left a note for Kakuzu, and then I went up to my room. I'd brought home half a bottle of vodka from Tobi's the other night and proceeded to pour myself a drink laying on my bed in my empty room. I wasn't sure how long Id been laying there before Deidara let himself in.

"I heard your upset," he muttered, coming to sit on the edge of the bed. I narrowed my eyes at him, sitting up and swallowing what was left my my drink.

"This is all your fucking fault, you and Tobi, without you two, I would have been happy drinking, alone, by myself," I slurred, "without you two, I wouldnt be so god damn confused or sad, or, or, whatever."

"Kimi, it's okay, Tobi said it'll work out, I," he tried to reason, but I'd had enough.

"No! Tobi is a manipulator and a psycho! Your wasting your time! Get away from me!" I shouted, picking up the bottle Id been drinking out of to dump it on him. He jumped away and retreated from the room, leaving me in peace for just a second. I'd wanted to cry, scream, loose what little control I had left when Sasori appeared in my door way.

"Go away," I commanded, but he didn't budge.

"Your angry with me and this is not the way I would like to confront the problem," he said in a tone I couldn't decipher in my drunken state. I felt sick, his presence alone made me sick.

"I'm just lonely," I tried to reason, "I let myself, I let myself fall into this, I'm a fucking idiot and your a jerk."

Sasori folded his arms and stayed quiet. His perfect eyes, his perfect face, that look he gave me, why did it have to be him? Him of all people standing I front of me?

"I'm sorry," he said and then he walked away, closing and locking the door behind him so no one else could bother me. What was he sorry for? The first or the last time he'd kissed me? For pretending to tolerate me? I couldn't stand this any more, I tore out of bed, abandoning the bottle, and fallowed him down the steps, he was headed down the stairs to the living room when I stopped him.

"Hold on, just, hold on. Just what are you doing? What are you doing to me?" I felt helpless, I felt week, and I found myself using the wall as support as I waited for my answer.

"I'm not doing anything. You just told me that It's you doing this to yourself," he replied cooly, like this entire ordeal had no effect on him.

"That's not what I mean, I..." But all of my words had left me. I couldn't think any more, just stare, hopelessly at him, waiting for him to say something. He didn't speak though, just came closer, and at first I tried to back away until I decided that I wanted to give in. I wanted him to wrap his arms around me in a loose hug, I wanted him to sigh, take my hand and take me back up to my room, I wanted him to persuade me to lie down and that was exactly what he did. I shouldnt have gave in, and I should have allowed him near me because I knew it was going to end badly.

As he turned to leave I caught his sleeve and asked him not to go. He didn't even have to think about it. He climbed into my bed, pressing my back against his chest. He wrapped an arm around me to hold my hand.

"You like me?" I asked, slurring drunkenly. With my intoxicated brain spinning, I felt like I had to.

"I do," He replied simply without hesitation.

"You want to keep seeing me?"

"I do," he replied again.

"When did you decide? And why?" I felt like I had to ask that too. Why did he keep bothering to help me when I felt like a lost cause? I felt him shake his head, refusing to respond. His hand left mine for just a moment to pull his phone out of his pocket and turn on some music. He laced our fingers as a smooth, harmonic tones drifted from the speaker, filling the room with a melodic instrumental of a popular pop song, done in an orchestra forum. So he did like things other than the news.

Neither of us spoke or moved, letting the music wash over us as song after song shuffled from sad Indy songs, to more instrumentals, and a few songs I'd heard in movies. My eyes drifted shut and I let this moment have me. I let myself relax and I felt him do the same shortly after, sighing contently.

I wondered in an absentminded drunk sort of way if this is what being sober was supposed to feel like.

When I woke up Sunday morning I had no idea where I was or why someone else was in my bed. Judging by the silence Id woken up pretty early, and after sitting up to look out the window, I confirmed my suspicion. The sun was barely up and the house was still asleep. I looked to my left briefly and then did a double take. Sasori was asleep next to me, his red hair a mess and his features more serene than usual.

I decided I was still clothed, so I figured we hadn't done anything we would have regretted. Looking around after for any more clues that could help me figure out just what it was I did last night, I noticed an empty bottle on the floor and paled. Never in my life had I been black out drunk but apparently I had last night.

I got up after watching Sasori sleep for a while longer, deciding I needed to straighten up this room. I picked up all my bottles and dirty cloths, making a pike of trash, cloths and general things that didn't have a place. Movies, my purse I never used, a ball of twine I couldn't remember where it'd come from, and some other things equally not as important. All the while I couldn't help but think my hang over was catching up on me.

I felt a familiar ache in my stomach and head, like someone was driving a nail though me. Finally I gave up trying to make this place look presentable and lay back down, letting my shoulder length blonde hair fan out behind me. It'd gotten so long, when had my last haircut been? Shifting my gaze from the peak of the ceiling to my bed mate, I felt a little tinge of panic. What if this was all an accident or what if he did this out of pity? What were the others thinking about us right now and what were they saying? I could only imagine the rumors.

"You look stricken."

The real world demanded my attention and I found myself looking in to his pretty brown orbs yet again. His words left his lips in a murmur, half lidded eyes watching me. His chest rose and fell more noticeably and his facial features twisted into a scowl as the sun shone though my drapeless windows. He probably would have stayed asleep if it weren't for that.

"I'm fine. I'm just," I trailed off, unsure of the right words, and got up to find the pills he'd procured for me, I'd almost forgotten about them and there almost magic powers.

"You asked me last night if I wanted to continue seeing you," he spoke, projecting his voice across the room as I looked around though my things for the bottle, "I do wish to continue seeing you, however, I've got a few things I'd like to discuss."

I didn't respond.

"I'm very concerned about the maturity level of this relationship, I'm worried you won't be able to handle it," he said and I pretended to be busy, though Id just found the pills and currently held them in my hand.

"What do you mean?" I asked, sparing him a glance.

"Are you aware I am twelve years older than you?"

"Well, I knew you were older," I offered, almost in consolation. I finally popped the top on my pills and found an old bottle of water I deemed safe to drink and downed it as he continued.

"Don't you find that a bit concerning? I was hitting puberty when you were born."

I nearly choked before I swallowed, taking just a second to wiped my mouth before I shook my head. I knew he was just trying to put things in perspective for me, but that was not a way I wanted to think about things. I swallowed slowly and answered, "I don't find it concerning no, we're both adults."

"Barely," he huffed, but quickly moved on, "and you've got a nasty drinking problem."

At that time, I was aware I was developing something, but I wouldnt of exactly called it a problem. Of course, an alcoholic never realizes until it's too late.

"I can stop any time I want," I insisted, not able to turn around and face him though I had nothing to busy myself with now. He didn't reply. I was being honest with him, I really did think I could stop when ever I wanted, but I was already in too deep. Besides, the ice queen laying in my bed was not without his own flaws.

That Sunday morning was the end of my second week and the start of a relationship, a relationship Id longed for without even knowing it, but that Sunday was also the beginning of disaster. Eventually I had to leave my bedroom, and I did so leaving him in my bed.

Id spent far too many days away from home I realized when I saw the amount of requests from the tenants on the sheet in the office. Id wanted to spend a lazy day in my room, however, instead I found myself washing Hidan's laundry that's apparently been in the washer for days, preventing anyone else from using it. I didn't understand why the other tenants hadn't just taken it out and put there's in until I found it was mostly underwear.

Men were so strange, they wouldn't touch each others clean laundry but they would share chips and chicken? I didn't get it.

Next was the refrigerator, my tape had been removed so I spent some time labeling bowls and sections and setting aside left overs to eat myself later.

I realized on my way upstairs that the house was strangely empty. I didn't hear some much as a peep as I poured draino down the shower or while I did a quick hack job on washing the windows.

Looking outside, I noticed only Hidan's motor cycle in the drive way, though the bike had remained here even after its owner had gone. Where had Sasori snuck off too, again without so much as saying good bye? Where had Itachi taken Sasuke and was Kisame with them?

I figured Deidara was over to Tobi's, so I slipped on my shoes and walked across the yard where I found the back door locked. That was strange, it was usually always open. I walked around front where I noticed a car Id never seen before and after trying the front door, I got a little suspicious. I knew Tobi drove his aunts car, and his uncles black car sat next to it, so who was here in that God awful colored orange Toyota? I turned to knock only to have the door fly open and Deidara push past me, head down so I couldn't see his face. He darted across the yard, slamming the garden gate and he was gone, seconds later Tobi came dashing out of the house, but was unable to get though, Deidara having locked the gate on his side.

A short haired woman was the last to push past me, getting her keys from her pocket and climbing into the orange car. When the engine started, Tobi whipped around and jogged to the drive way, asking her to wait, but she as already backing out. Moments later she was gone.

"What just happened?" I asked, but Tobi was not able to answer me.

"Tobi?" I asked, coming closer, and it was clear he was crying, looking more defeated than I thought a person could look. His arms were slack but the rest of his body was tense. His face was beat red and tear streaked and he sniffled a little.

"Tobi what happened?" I pressed, but he only buried his face in his hands to sob. Hesitantly I raised a hand to pat his back, but it did not seem to help. I decided, even though I didn't want to, I should give him a hug, and no sooner did I wrap my arms around him did he latch on to me.

"I loved her," he choked, "and she comes back here asking me to pick and I can't! I can't just pick! I loved her so much and she wrecked me."

I couldn't make sense of his vague words, so I patted his back a little more, but he still refused to let go, the taller man's tears staining my sleeves and his hands fisted into the loose fabric of my shirt. I was extremely uncomfortable.

I recognized the sound of Kakuzu's car before I saw it, the cobalt blue Audi had a certain idle to it unique to it, so I wasn't surprised when he pulled into Tobi's drive way. After the accountant got out, so did Tobi's aunt and uncle, back from vacation. Tobi was forced to straighten up, whipping his face with his bare wrist and choking back sobs to get ahold of himself and letting go of me.

"What's the matter Obito?" The woman, Konan, asked, approaching us with her carry on bag in hand. Id never heard anyone use Tobi's real name until then.

"Nothing," he sort of groaned in a way that didn't sound like him or his fake voice. Kakuzu and Pein, baggage in hand came away from the car and up to the house, pein making a remark I hadn't heard.

"Something has gone wrong, tell me," Konan commanded, but Tobi shook his head.

"Don't be silly, come on now, this isn't the Obito that I know," she pried again, just like I had, but instead it set him off.

"I'm not being silly you fridged bitch! Jesus Christ! Must you always be on top of me? Must I have my grievances known to the public? I don't want to talk about it! The girl of my life has just... and your still going on about this pretend charade that I- "

A harsh hand meet Obito's cheek, surprising us both as the sound seemed to echo.

"Do you honestly think I don't know already about your little game? What do you take me for? A fool? I allow you in my home, I put up with your nonsense, you above all are to treat me with respect, the least you owe me is some common curtsey. My lord, don't you owe it to someone?" Konan's words cut him deeper than any weapon could have. He ran, faster than Id ever seen down the street and he disappeared. I had no intentions of going after him, but something nagged at me that I should have.

"Please, come inside, I'm sorry you had to see that," Konan's voice was gentler and softer now, though her calm expression had never wavered. I fallowed her per requested and found myself with a glass of iced tea in my hands fifteen minutes later.

"I'm impressed you've stayed as long as you have, usually Tobi or Hidan run off our help," Pein spoke, sitting around a circular outdoor table on the homes back deck. Konan sat next to him, pulling back a chair to be as close to him as she could. I still felt a little uneasy, Id only meet these people once before.

"We've only had once incident," Kakuzu grumbled, eyeing me as he seated himself at the table with us, "she got lucky with Hidan, he's been busy."

"I hope you'll be staying longer," Pein flatly, stirring his drink with his straw, "I already miss vacation."

Up until now I had only smiled and nodded, unsure and nervous despite my medicine. This was my boss, well, both of my bosses, and the last thing I wanted to do was say something wrong. The mention of 'the incident' was enough.

The four of us watched as the garden gate opened again, and I expected to see Deidara or Tobi, but instead a familiar red head waltzed though, greeting his land lords and Kakuzu.

"Id love to stay and chat," he said after pleasantries, "however Kimiko and I have some business to attend to."

I had no idea what business I had, but I was glad to leave, excusing myself and leaving with Sasori.

"Deidara isn't there, is he?" Sasori asked after we'd gotten though the gate. I shook my head.

"It seems he's stolen my car."

"What?" I asked, flabbergasted, "why would he do that? Let's not jump to conclusions, he's not a bad kid, really."

"It appears that way on the outside. I went to check on the shop this morning and when I returned, I went looking for something, and as I passed by the window in the den, I noticed my car was not where I parked it. I thought perhaps you were playing a not so funny joke on me, but you looked quite busy."

"He and Tobi got in a fight, is that relevant?" I asked and Sasori seemed to consider it.

"I guess so," he muttered, seemingly deep in thought. I watched his face twist from thought to dread in silence. I went over his story in my head a hundred times during the silence.

"Am I the something you were looking for earlier?" I asked, going out on a limb. Id bet money I was right.

"You've done a lovely job on the windows," he replied, and we both knew that was a lie. A smile spread onto my face but he refused to look at me.

"I'm going to report the car stolen to the authorities," he sighed, and I didn't comment. There was nothing else to do. Two hours later he'd called the police, made a statement, called the insurance company and then called his sister to ask if he could barrow his nephews car. Incidentally, Kankuro had just had his car privileges taken away. I didn't ask why but I suspected after the car had been dropped off that it had something to do with the smell inside.

Not only did it reek like cigarettes, but I found a box of condoms hidden under the empty McDonnalds bags as I cleaned out the back seat. Sasori said something about the expiration date of the condoms and I silently hoped the sixteen year old kid wasn't using them.

"Teenagers are discusting," the marionette marker remarked, cramming more junk from the passenger seat into a trash bag, "I hope my car doesn't come back like this."

"At least he's not a five year old," I tried to joke, but Sasori didn't even crack a smilie.

"Children are equally as disgusting," he replied.

"Well, right," I muttered, "that's what I meant. Anyway, what sort of stuff do you like to do besides making things?

"Why are you asking?" I should have known that was coming.

"Well, Kisame said that since we didn't know each other very well, I should, well, he didn't really say what I should do," I replied, thinking there was no sense in telling a fib or stretching the truth.

"What, you take dating advice from Kisame now?" He asked, standing straight up to look at me very seriously over the roof of the car. I could see he had his hands on his hips, which were sort of cocked to one side.

"Who was I supposed to ask? You?" I retorted.

"fair enough," he droned, narrowing his eyes at me briefly before resuming his task, "I enjoy orchestras and reading."

"What's your favorite book?" I asked, coming around the car with my half empty bag and taking his full one.

"I don't particularly have one, however, if I had to pick, " he paused a moment to think, "Farewell to arms."

"Hemingway? Really?" I was nearly laughing as I tied the bag up and pushed it aside to grab the window cleaner, "I would have pegged you more uh, I dunno, Mary Shelly."

"What? Frankenstein? Not a chance," he smirked, "I hope those windows turn out better than the house windows."

"Ha, ha," I said sarcastically, seating myself in the back, door open so I could still talk to him as I worked.

"Let me guess," he mused, "I bet you like The Gatsby? You've quoted it once."

"Once," I repeated, confirming his statement. I had quoted it, the night we spent the evening on Tobi's couch. I hadn't thought he remembered it. It was ironic, the authors of those books were friends. It felt sort of strange to be standing there, flirting with him, but strange in a good way.

"I've never read Farewell To Arms, just In Our Time," I noted, "I was the queen of required high school reading, but not much else."

"That explains a lot," he jested, "lucky for you, I was the king of required reading in high school."

"Yeah, fifty years ago," I mocked, moving to another window.

"Ha, ha," it was his turn to be sarcastic, repeating me, "moving on, what is it that you enjoy?"

"I don't know," I shrugged, what was it I did besides drink and clean? "Watch tv?"

Later that night, I heard a knock on my door while I was having a drink, and found a hard bound copy of Farewell To Arms on the first step. No note, no explanation or red headed to tell me what it was doing there. I didn't need to be told though, I knew why the book was there, and I felt that feeling again, when I was drunk and happy and felt sober, but I was not drunk and I was still happy and I was feeling this all for the first time again. I lay back on the bed, sipping my drink leisurely and cracked the book, opening to chapter one.