Ayame's eyes were wide open as Naruto left. She knew what Naruto meant and it stung her. She hasn't felt this numb since she learned of Itachi betrayal towards Konoha. A hand lightly grabbed her shoulder; she slowly twisted around. Neji towered over her, she wiped her tears but she couldn't hide her swollen eyes. He bent down and gave her some water. She splashed some water on her face helping the puffiness to die down, only a bit.

She seemed so strong to Neji and yet here she was crying. He didn't know why she was crying but for her to break down it had to be serious. She was more powerful than him and always gave off that air, however this time she appeared helpless and alone. He never dealt with this type of situation before and it scared him. Neji knew that if Kiba was in his place he would take advantage of her neediness but Neji wasn't Kiba. He couldn't bear to take advantage of her, yet he had no idea about what to do. However Ayame soon took care of that decision by thrusting herself upon him crying. Shocked by her action, Neji hesitated before placed his arms around her body and pulling her closer to him. He knew that she had some sort of relationship with Itachi and he promised himself that he wouldn't get involved. Yet, she needed someone and Itachi wasn't around was he going to become that guy. Could he become that guy?

"I'm sorry," Ayame pulled away after sensing his confusion. "You must think of me as a weakling now."

"No," was all Neji could muster after the shock of what happened.

"I'm normally not like this but…" Ayame trailed off again, seeing Naruto clearly in her mind and how he looked at her. He needs time she thought to herself as Neji helped her to her feet.

"What happened?" Neji asked.

"I… told… Naruto that I was his…sister."

Neji paused for a moment, he didn't want to say anything to upset her but just the thought that she and Naruto were related left him speechless. He could see the resemblance, the same determination, cockiness, loud mouth (although Ayame knew when to be quite sometimes), and the fact that they both had tremendous amount of Chakra and not just from their Bijuu.

"I'll give him some time to digest it. I guess I was just so happy to know that my little brother was alive that I rushed things. Oh well he still has to beat me in a ramen race!" Ayame perked up, giggling. Yep they have the same way of seeing the positivity in a bad situation Neji thought. "Thanks, Neji and I'd appreciate it if you kept this between us. I don't want Kakashi to have another thing to worry about."

"Sure," Neji replied. "Do you want me to walk you home or are you going to be alright?"

Ayame looked at Neji surprised by his question. "I'm fine, but thanks for the offer. How about a rain check?" Ayame walked into the trees leaving Neji alone in the forest. He sat down on the grass pondering over what just happened. He felt almost giddy when he thought about her hugging him. Neji never felt these types of emotions; he's been introduced to many new emotions since his first fight with Naruto. This one is no different. Not only did he want to shout for joy but he always felt that he had to… no he wanted to do something for her. Since she came to Konoha she was always smiling and joking around. Now he saw something that he never wanted to see again, he would do anything to never have to see that again. Well he would, wouldn't he?

Naruto curled in his sheets on his bed, hugging them around his body. He tried sleeping but he was restless. He was exhausted and yet his mind wouldn't let him sleep. He knew that he upset Ayame, but she deserved that for abandoning him all these years. Then why did he feel like he wanted to throw up, wishing that he could take back those words? Maybe he should apologize, but his words where true, well partly true. He didn't have any family, well he did have blood family if what Ayame said is true. But he never had a true family that he could go home to when things got tough. He never experienced anyone holding him when something hurt his feelings nor did he ever have a dad that helped him with his ninja training. However, Ayame did. Could he truly call her family after she had the life that he dreamt about? Did he resent her? Is that why he spoke so harshly to her?

His thoughts were interrupted by a knock on the door, "Naruto can I come in?" Ayame asked quietly. He didn't want to see her, well that's what he told himself. But his body got out of bed and opened the door. He stood inside the dark room facing her, seeing her puffy eyes. They were eye level with each other but Ayame couldn't look into his eyes neither could Naruto. He stepped aside and let her into his apartment. There were no words exchanged as Ayame followed Naruto to the kitchen. He opened the refrigerator and took out two ramen noodles containers, offering one to Ayame. She softly muttered thanks while opening the container up. They sat across from each other as they slowly ate.

Ayame didn't want to talk first in case she said something to upset Naruto even more. She was shocked that he even let her in, let alone shared his prized ramen with her. Naruto, also, didn't know how to start up a conversation. What could he say, after he said all those hurtful things? He was still debating if he was right in how he reacted. So they both\ ended up sitting not talking, just eating. The slurping of ramen grew louder and louder, it was driving Naruto crazy. He started to fidget in his chair constantly changing the position of his legs. Still neither one spoke they continued to eat in silence.

Outside Neji sprinted towards Naruto's door only to find Kakashi leaning against it. He held a book in one hand while his other hand was in his pocket. Neji slowed down and walked casually towards Kakashi. He went to rap on the door when Kakashi grabbed his hand in the air and pushed it down gently.

"What are you doing here, Neji?" Kakashi stilled looked at his book

"I need to talk to Naruto," Neji replied about to tap on the door again.

"He's busy at the moment, if you tell me I will make sure that he gets the message." Kakashi finally put his book under his arm and turn towards Neji.

"I can't tell you," Neji calmly said.

Kakashi stared at him for a while, "Why not?" he finally said.

"I promised Ayame?" Neji replied.

"I see," Kakashi took Neji and led him away from Naruto's door. "They're inside…hopefully not fighting." Kakashi joked but Neji could tell that Kakashi was worried, his eyes quivered as he spoke. Not to mention how he couldn't look directly at Neji while he ushered him away.

Back in Naruto's apartment six empty containers occupied the middle of the dinning table. Ayame laid on the floor as Naruto walked towards the refrigerator. She loved ramen noodles but if she had to look at one more noodle she knew that she would vomit. Her stomach seem to grow twice its size, she was so bloated that she waited a while before sitting up. Naruto didn't grab ramen instead he passed her a glass of water while gulping down his glass. He sat down next to her and still not a word has been exchanged since Ayame came into the apartment. However, tensions weren't as high as before and Ayame felt the hostility towards her disappear.

"What was dad like?" Naruto finally spoke, but still couldn't bring himself to look at her.

"He was awesome, one of the best ninja ever. They use to call him Yellow Flash because he was able to teleport himself anywhere."

"Really, How?"

"He used Hiraishin no Jutsu, I could teach you if you want me to?" Ayame asked trying to see if Naruto was truly not mad anymore and wanted her guidance still. She hoped he did so that she could get to know him and for his sake.

"Really! You know how to use it. Awesome! Teach me… if you still want to after what I said to you." Naruto's excitement died down as he thought she would reject him, even though she offered.

"Yeah I want to, don't sweat about earlier. I would have acted the same way if not worse."

"I'm sorry for what I said." Naruto uttered. He finally realized that although his words were true he should try to give her a chance. It wasn't like him to reject people, after all his friends gave him a chance to redeem himself from his loser status. "Ayame?"

"Yes,"

"Are you really going to be able to bring back Sasuke?"

"I promise," Ayame finally looked at Naruto and Naruto looked back at her.

After that night Ayame wouldn't come out of Kakashi's apartment. Papers that she had read covered the floor while the unread was still in nice stacks. She had statistics and biographies to read about all the available recruits. She gave the bed back to Kakashi, this time he didn't protest seeing how messy the couch was becoming. No one else saw her except for Naruto who came into the apartment every evening for a couple of hours.

On the day that she brought all the papers back to Tsunade she ran into Neji. He had to do a double take when he saw her. Her skin had become pale and dark circles formed under her eyes. She walked clumsily around knocking into things. Her eyelids hung low and when she said hi to him her voice was soft and she slurred her words. Ayame didn't give him a chance to say anything else before hurrying away.

Once in Tsunade's office she barely placed the papers back on the desk before falling into a chair. Her eyes grew heavier but she forced herself to stay awake. Tsunade worried about Ayame's lack of energy. She quickly brewed up a drink and brought it to her, "Here, when you go home drink this it should help."

"Can't…. must discuss mission." Ayame robotically said.

"It can wait, you need some rest be-"

"No!" Ayame's eyes narrowed at Tsunade and Tsunade gave her a stern look. Ayame was too tired to argued and knew that Tsunade wouldn't continue until Ayame got some rest. "Alright, but at least let me give you the names of the people I have chosen for the mission."

"Alright," Tsunade happy with the cooperation sat in her seat behind the desk, taking a piece of paper and pen.

"Of course Uzumaki Naruto, Haruno Sakura, Sai, Hyuuga Neji, Nara Shikamaru, and there is a special platoon that will be meeting us outside of Konoha." Ayame informed Tsunade.

"Special platoon?" Tsunade inquired.

"Let's just say that I found some friends who are willing to help," Ayame said as she left Tsunade's office.

Naruto met her as she came to Kakashi's door. He rushed towards. "God you look awful!" He said bluntly.

"Thanks, I know." Ayame replied as she unlocked the door. Kakashi was on a mission and wouldn't be too happy when he found out that he wouldn't be accompanying her platoon to retrieve Sasuke. Oh well she thought, right at this moment she didn't care at all what others said or thought. Tsunade's drink was in her left hand and she couldn't wait to drink it and fall asleep. Of course she would wait until Naruto left. They have been spending a lot of time together lately and Ayame was glad that Naruto was getting over his first reaction to their family relation. At this time Naruto seemed to be the older sibling as he asked for the directions to Tsunade's drink and heated it up while Ayame slipped into something more comfortable. She decided to retake the bed just for one night. Naruto brought the drink to her as she got into the bed.

"How did you know that I was out?" Ayame asked.

"Neji told me that you didn't seem quiet well." Naruto handed her the drink, "He seemed worried, weird."

"Weird?"

"Yeah, he normally doesn't show his emotions. He keeps to himself."

"Oh, well thanks for your help and you'd better get ready to leave. Once I'm better we will be leaving." Ayame hinted for Naruto to leave and to Ayame's surprised Naruto got the hint. He left her alone in the apartment and she was about to drink Tsunade's brew when the window trusted itself open. She turned around to close it and found Itachi on the windowsill; she motioned him to hurry inside. He stared at her as she rushed to close the windows, curtains, and lock the door.

"Are you sick?" Itachi sympathetically asked.

"No I just haven't been sleeping, lately. I've been trying to get this mission ready." Ayame walked towards him, "It's good to see you," She thrusted herself upon him. He hugged her tightly as she sank into his chest.

"You too," He whispered toward he ear not letting go of her, instead holding her tightly. He lifted one hand stroking her hair and Ayame raised her head looking at his eyes. They were black and softened; he didn't have to stay much around Ayame for she always understood his feelings by his eyes. Especially now when he almost constantly kept his eyes in their sharingan form, for him to allow her to see their natural color showed immense emotion towards her. She wouldn't have it any other way, since she always enjoyed the subtle hints that he gave her; he wasn't very good with expressing himself verbally.

"You need to sleep, I'll go." Itachi released her and headed towards the window.

Ayame caught his hand, "No, don't leave… just yet. Relax with me for a while, please." She led him to the bed and lay upon his chest with her legs entwined with his. She drank Tsunade's drink and soon fell asleep on Itachi's chest with his arms wrapped around her.

Ayame aroused to find herself on her side and Itachi stroking her arm very lightly. She pushed at his hand, "Stop…it tickles." He grabbed her hand kissing it lightly. She turned her head facing him and he kissed her, placing his hands on her waist. She slowly pulled away and looked at him while fingering his hair. Then pulled towards him again until their lips touched. When they finally released Ayame check and discovered that it was 8:00 pm.

"I slept for almost twenty-four hours! Why didn't you wake me up?" Ayame threw the covers off grabbing her towel.

"You seemed so tired." Itachi yelled as Ayame stepped into the shower. Itachi didn't have to wait long before Ayame came back dressed in her clothes with her wet hair thrown into a ponytail.

"I know I'm not blaming you, I guess the more sleep that I get the sooner we can be off."

"Off?"

"Yeah you know, to bring back Sasuke. You're still going to help me aren't you?"

Itachi's body stiffened, as after he slipped his shirt back on, "I don't want you going after him."

"What? Just days ago you were all for helping me."

"I wasn't thinking clearly at the time." Itachi replied coldly.

"What! So are you thinking clearly now," Ayame probed.

"All I'm saying is that I don't want you interfering with brotherly things."

"Brotherly things! Oh yeah setting your brother up so that he lives only to get revenge is brotherly love. If that is what you think of brotherly then you're more messed up than I thought." Ayame quickly covered her mouth, she didn't mean to say that last part but it just slipped out. "Itachi… I didn't mean it like that." She reached for him but he pulled away. He wouldn't look at her and went she went to touch his shoulder he just moved away from her. "Itachi…we're going to have to talk about that night sooner or later, you know that. Don't you?"

"We don't have to, you could come with me and join Akatsuki. Forget Konoha, it's worthless there are more important things to fight for." Itachi muttered.

"You know I can't do that. My father gave his life up for Konoha I can't just turn my back on it. Also I promised Naruto that I would bring Sasuke back and I keep all my promises." Ayame looked down at the floor. Reality was coming back, it was nice to live like nothing every happened but deep down she knew that wouldn't last. They had to discuss the past some time, she just wish she had more time with Itachi before they did.

"Well then we have a problem, because I can't let you interfere with my plan."

"Plan, what plan?"

"I can not tell you that, but I'm warning you stay away from Sasuke. I don't want to hurt you."

"Well then you're going to hurt me, because unlike you I will not abandon my brother's needs. I don't understand why you killed your clan but I do know is that all this is happening because of you. Sasuke has people here who care about him and unlike you I'm going to make sure that he understands the consequences of his actions. I'm going to bring emotion back to him and maybe I can save at least one of you."

"You don't know our secrets, so stop judging me." Itachi replied.

"No you don't know your clans secrets…I do. That is where I have been, protecting the secrets of the clans that they don't even allow all their members to know. I know there is another way to achieve the Mangekyou than to kill your best friend."

"You're lying," Itachi finally faced her but with his sharingan eyes. He would not allow her to interfere with his plans. Maybe he couldn't hurt her but he could hurt those she cared about and he would. Yes that is what he would do-but could he actually hurt her like that. She sat their next to him with those eyes, the eyes that he never wanted to see from her. He has seen those eyes in his younger brother and many who he came in contact with. Yet with her he didn't want to hurt her instead he wanted to wrap his arms around her and comfort her. But he couldn't give into his weakness; he must stop this relationship and forget her. Once again he must think of her as dead, yet something inside of him told himself that if she trained Sasuke he might actual be strong enough to defeat him. He just sat next to her staring at her with cold eyes while her eyes illustrated loneliness.

"Fine, if you won't believe me then I guess I can't count on your help with the mission." Ayame collected herself, she was on the urge of crying but she had to be strong. Itachi didn't respond to her instead he expressed no emotion on his face or in his eyes. It took great will power for him to be this way around her but he had no choice he had to show her that he was serious. "I guess that we're going to be enemies soon, since I will not give up my mission. You should leave. While you're with your organization you should think about what's more important, family and friends or your distorted motives." Ayame walked away from him. She stopped at the door with her arms folded over her chest and watched him leave the room. "Goodbye, my love." She whispered once he was long gone.