Disclaimer: I do not own Naruto…

Ano… Hello. I know, it's been way too long since I last updated. Feel free to throw kunai/shuriken/weapons of your choice at me. I've been really busy lately and was hoping to get another chapter up in Easter but, well, something came up and I didn't feel like writing for a while…

But now I'm back in the mood, and will be updating again…I just hope everyone remembers what happened…

In case you don't...
Amaya just had a nightmare where she was pushed over the edge of a cliff by her father. As she was falling an unknown person called out to her, and she was about to call back but she...hit the ground...Waking with a start she was quite distressed and found herself facing Itachi. The two of them had what turned into a playful fight, leaving them both with sore cheeks...Aww... Hana and Kisame are about to begin fighting after Kisame has told her that they only want Amaya.

Chapter 13

Itachi's red eyes were fixed on Amaya as she spoke. The light from outside was slowly growing as the day crept up on them, flooding into the room through the window and making her dark hair shine as she gathered it up and retied it with the scarlet ribbon.

She was calm now, and finished telling him about her nightmare with a sigh, stretching as she looked over at him for the first time since she had begun speaking; she still didn't like those eyes.

"So, any idea of what its meaning might be?" She asked, wondering how talkative he was going to be this morning.

She guessed that he wasn't really in the mood for it as he didn't reply straight away; instead he took his time thinking over what she had told him.

It was a memory. He was sure of it, but she didn't seem to realise and he didn't tell her – it would probably be best for her to work that out on her own. Instead he thought of why that particular memory would have been dragged up.

Perhaps it was the memory of the pain. A snake fang almost right through her shoulder must have hurt; though surely not as much as what she described. It could have been the thoughts that she might die, which set it off. Maybe it was the experience of being parted from her friend; or a combination of everything?

"I believe it represents your current feelings and recent experiences," he said, speaking finally.

Taking in what he had said, Amaya began to think, "Feelings and recent experiences? I guess that makes sense. Falling…from that big bird! The pain from when that stupid snake skewered me and…the helplessness…" She paused, "I couldn't do anything…"

After a moment another thought occurred, "But why would my parents be there?"

Itachi quickly thought of an answer for that, "Hana-san is like family to you, isn't she?"

Amaya nodded, "She's like a sister to me. But there's still the unknown person. Who could that be?"

Even though she had been about to call out their name, now that she came to think about it she couldn't remember what it was, no matter how hard she tried. It was almost as though it was on the tip of her tongue, yet she couldn't quite get it.

"Anyone; a sibling…"

Amaya shook her head, "I was an only child."

"…someone else who you were close to…"

"I didn't have any other real friends, when I was younger, apart from Hana-chan."

Itachi shrugged lightly, "Perhaps you will find out next time."

Amaya fell silent before speaking quietly, "I don't want there to be a next time."

Having reached what looked like a training ground of some sort Hana decided that it was far enough away from the rest of the village, and safe for her to stop running and show this freaky blue shark-man that she wasn't to be toyed with.

Now, about that sword…How do I make him let go of it? Hurt his arm? I don't think I could chop it right off, nuh uh, but if I could get a deep enough hit…There's no way I'd be able to hit him hard enough for that, not with his speed and I don't have a jutsu that could do it either…Damn it, there has to be a way!

"What are you doing, midget?" Kisame asked as he appeared behind her, swinging his sword at her head. She'd been standing still, and he almost caught her, but she ducked, feeling the sword brush the top of her head. Even from such a small amount of contact she could feel the chakra sucked from her. She spun with a kunai in her hand to block his next attack before jumping back from him.

Hana had never been very good at thinking on her feet, preferring to go into a fight with a plan all laid out, rather than trying to make it up while actually fighting. She would manage though. Yes, she would manage.

Kisame grunted as she managed to sink a kunai into his arm – to her frustration it was the wrong arm, though. Also she'd had to leave herself open whilst performing the move. Not about to miss his chance, Kisame drew Samehada along her side, cutting deeply into her flesh and causing her to hiss in pain.

Moving back out of his range she put a hand on her side and quickly assessed the seriousness of the wound. It was bad, but not fatal. At least, it wouldn't be fatal if she managed to finish this without taking too long.

She took a moment to catch her breath as Kisame pulled the kunai from his arm and let it drop to the ground.

"I've gotta hand it to you, you're much more fun than I thought you'd be," he said, grinning and showing his sharp teeth. He was beginning to enjoy himself.

Hana wasn't listening though. She was staring at his sword. When he had attacked her some of the bandages had come off; and underneath the bandages it was metal, but not like a normal sword. She'd already known that though – Samehada shaves, rather than cuts. But it was the sudden realisation of the simple fact that it was made of metal that had her mind racing.

Would that work though? I'd probably need to get the rest of the bandages off first, which could be difficult and painful, but if it works it would be worth it. And I might not have to worry about fighting him afterwards, too…

Nodding to herself she let go of her side and wiped her blood covered hands on her clothes (so that she could get a good grip on her weapons) before arming herself again, silently thankful that Sakura had left so many kunai and shuriken lying around.

With her plan clearly laid out in her mind, Hana ran at him again, determination clear on her face. She would win, and then she would go and save Amaya-chan, whether Tsunade would help her or not.

"Let's go, Sharky!"

Amaya blushed slightly as her stomach rumbled audibly. Itachi's eyebrow arched ever so slightly at her before he got to his feet and gestured for her to follow. She was glad when he led her out of the room she had been stuck in for days. She was even happier when she shortly found herself in a large kitchen.

Cupboards lined the walls neatly and the floor was wooden. A large table stood in the centre as it had done at the previous base, again with ten chairs positioned around it. The room wasn't particularly colourful, but it was much brighter and more welcoming than the kitchen in the previous underground hideout, due to the amount of light flowing in through the windows.

Deidara was on his feet and seemed to be animatedly explaining something to Sasori, who was silently sat at the table watching him, calmly replying every now and again. When Amaya and Itachi entered they both fell silent and looked over at them.

The glances at her red cheek, and then the slight raising of eyebrows, and a glance shared between them when they saw Itachi's, did not escape her notice. Feeling a little smug she gave a small smile to Deidara as Itachi pushed her towards a chair. Seating herself she returned Sasori's small nod and listened as he and Deidara returned to their previous conversation, while Itachi began to pull open cupboards.

"Really, the beauty of that single, fleeting moment of explosion – that's what art really is, un," Deidara said, moving out of Itachi's way and taking the seat beside Amaya.

"Something that lasts for such a short amount of time cannot be considered art. Art is something wonderful that's left long into the future...Eternal beauty," Sasori replied.

"Hmm, what do you think, Amaya-san, un?" Deidara asked, turning to her.

Amaya looked around at him, "Ano…What do I think…?"

"What you think fine art really is?" Sasori asked. They both looked at her almost expectantly, as though they were both willing her to take their side on the matter.

"Ano…Art is…Art is…" She wasn't really sure what to say. What was art, really? A faint memory flickered in her mind, as she vaguely remembered asking a similar question when she was younger.

She smiled as she recalled the answer that she had been given, "Art is something unique and beautiful in its own way. It doesn't matter if it lasts a second, or forever. It's something that no matter how hard you try it can never be made again, not exactly the same…Something that's one of a kind…That's art…"

"That's a good answer, un."

"Indeed. It may be the second best answer we've ever had."

"Second best? Who's was the best?"

Deidara and Sasori both looked over at Itachi as he placed a bowl of ramen in from of her. She murmured her thanks before looking back at the other two, waiting for the answer.

Sasori slowly slid his eyes towards Itachi who was sat beside her, then looked back at her, the hint of a smile playing around his lips. She followed his gaze and it was her turn to raise an eyebrow. Itachi, commenting on art? – she wondered if they were messing with her.

"So what exactly was the 'first place' answer?" She asked, beginning to gulp down the ramen hungrily.

"If I remember correctly, it was…" Sasori started, but was interrupted.

"Art is something that will be non-existent if you don't move out of my way," Itachi said, remembering his previous statement.

"Ah, I see," He's always been so grumpy, then…

She finished the ramen, feeling a little disappointed that it was gone so quickly, and licked her lips before looking up at Sasori, feeling his eyes on her. Deidara's blue eyes were on her too and he was smiling, as though waiting for to see the outcome of something.

"What?" She asked innocently, looking from one to the other, then back again, feeling as though she had missed something. Then she stopped, bit her lip, quietly breathed an 'oh' and turned to Itachi, smiling sweetly, "Haha," she laughed nervously, not sure what to say to the cold, red-eyed man's blank face.

Damn bad habit, I've gone and done it again…How did I ever get into the habit of speaking my thoughts aloud in the first place?

Itachi was about to point out to her once again that it was a very bad habit and that this time he would make sure that the habit was broken, however, before he could open his mouth the smile slid from her face and she went noticeably pale.

Amaya stared blankly, not seeing Itachi in front of her anymore. That sickly bad feeling had settled in her stomach again, and she suddenly wished she hadn't eaten the ramen before hand. Then again, it probably wouldn't have made a difference, anyway.

"I…" Want to go… "I don't feel so good…" That way, why am I drawn that way? "I think I'll...go lie down…" She got unsteadily to her feet and walked slowly to the door, her legs seemed to be moving on their own accord.

Deidara and Sasori watched her, slightly puzzled expressions on their faces. Shrugging, Deidara turned back to Sasori to debate about art once again.

Once outside the room Amaya moved a short way down the corridor, before leaning against the wall and putting a hand to her head. Something bad always happened when she had this feeling, and it seemed to get worse each time. She closed her eyes for a moment to try and stop the urge to be physically sick but opened them again as an image of her best friend flashed through her mind.

Hana-chan…?

Itachi followed her from the room and watched her silently. She was staring at the wall with an odd expression on her face. No, she wasn't staring at the wall; at something beyond it.

"That way, I have to go that way…" She whispered to herself, wishing she knew where the exit to this place was.

"Why?" Itachi asked quietly.

"I don't know. I just feel drawn that way," she replied, still gazing at something she couldn't see, "I think that's where Hana-chan is."

You have to go to her, a voice in her head told her. You must.

She wanted to. If she could have she would have…But I can't…

Itachi thought for a moment. If you go that way, in a straight line, it would bring you directly to Konoha…Is the other girl there? Hn, no matter. Kisame will deal with her.

Hana was panting heavily. She was bleeding badly from numerous wounds covering her body where she had been caught with Samehada and she had lost a lot of chakra. Determination still shone in her eyes though, and her plan was going well.

I should have enough chakra left for a couple of shots at this…

She had managed to get the rest of the bandages off of Samehada and now she was ready. Gathering her chakra she threw a load of kunai at him to distract him for a moment while she made the hand seals.

Kami-sama, please let this work.

A bright blue bolt of electricity spilt the sky as it shot towards the ground, cracking the hard-packed earth as it hit. Kisame laughed roughly managing to dodge, "That was quite close. I almost didn't see it coming." The edge of his cloak looked singed.

Close, but not close enough, Hana thought.

Trying again, she collected her chakra, performed the seals and watched as he calmly rested Samehada on his shoulder, easily dodging the lightning bolt.

Damn it.

"That won't work, midget. That lightning won't hit me, especially now I know what you're going to do."

"I'm not aiming for you," she snarled. This was the last of her chakra, for one last lightning bolt. She formed the hand seals slowly, "Not exactly."

Kisame looked at her questioningly, "If you're not aiming at me, then what are you aiming at?" He wasn't paying attention to her hands.

"Think about it. My biggest problem is your sword, but I figured out a way that I could use it to my advantage."

"You can use Samehada to your advantage?" He laughed. No one could use Samehada against him.

"It's a sword, ne? I'm not sure exactly what it's made of, but it's a metal of some sort and I was wondering, what are the chances…"

Another electric blue streak made its way down though the morning sky, towards the Akatsuki member standing below. It was a much larger stream of electricity this time and if she was getting at what he thought she was, trying to move from a lightning bolt that large would not do him much good.

"What are the chances," She continued slowly, "that it conducts electricity?"

I'm sorry that after such a long break it's a relatively short chapter, but I thought that was a good place to leave it – although I think there are a load of people who are going to shoot me for it! Feel free to review and tell me how I'd better not disappear for a whole month again, leaving it there… That would be so evil…Oh, and in the next few chapters I'm going to try and work on the 'romance' aspect of the story a bit more...