Crimson Eyes – Chapter 5: Jealousy

It makes me all fuzzy and warm inside to know people are still reading and keeping up with this fic D Also, a big thank you for everyone who continues to review me! (o) Sorry for the long wait in-between updates! I'm not a very consistent writer am I? Lol XD Hope you enjoy this chapter and don't worry, I'm not going to drop this fic until it finishes!

Anyway, this chapter is more about the insight of Itachi and Anko's thoughts, so progression might be a bit slow but bear with me please xD; Hope you enjoy!

EDIT: I reuploaded the chapter as there was a mistake in the dialoouge which was politely pointed out to me by LadyMononoke756. Thanks for that! It seems my beta-buddy and I both missed that!

Disclaimer: I don't own the characters yadayadayada Though, Masashi Kishimoto stole my 'Hebi' concept D: LOL

Anko found it amazing how a mood could change within moments. Her heart was still pounding from the kiss attempt of Kakashi which was interrupted by the sudden attack from a shuriken. The flying piece of metal seemed to have come of nowhere with impeccable timing – if it reached them a second later, Kakashi's beautiful face would have been scarred.

That's when she realized that Kakashi still had his mask pulled down, fully revealing the angelic face which he kept concealed from the world for unknown reasons. Anko could not help but stare in awe at his gorgeous face, which by now was starting to go slightly red from the attention of the young girl. They no longer sensed another presence watching them and the continued to stand in the middle of the forest in silence.

Just as the young apprentice of the Snake Sannin was about to walk away, Kakashi grabbed her by them arm and pulled her back. "Don't go," he said in a soft whisper, striking a chord in Anko's heart with the low toned voice. Slowly, she turned around to face him once again with her eyes watering. She didn't understand why the hell she was about to cry but it didn't matter, not to Kakashi anyway. It gave him an excuse to pull her into his arms into a warm embrace.

It felt so nice to be held lovingly. It was a feeling that seemed so foreign but welcome nonetheless. However, Kakashi released his grip and took a small step back so her could see her face. Cupping her chin with one hand, he brought his face closer to hers. "No more interruptions this time," he said a husky whisper before meeting her lips.

A feeling of sudden warmth spread through Anko as she was unaware on how to reply to the gesture. As he pulled away, he put his finger to her lips as if to silence her and spoke first.

"Anko, I just wanted to make it clear to you that I really like you."

Still half in shock, Anko forced her mind to recover and retorted. "I guess you can't make it any more clearer than you just did."

"Look, I know this may be something new to you, but you don't have to answer to my feelings right now." His face looked so thoughtful, giving him the soft appearance of an angel even more. "I just wanted you to know. But, I will say one more thing." He started to pull his mask back up on his face.

"What?"

"Im going to do my best to make you fall in love with me."

With that said, he gave Anko a quick kiss on the forehead behind his mask and walked off, leaving the young girl in a daze.

"That bastard thinks that he's just so good because he's a freaking JOUNIN!" Itachi rampaged in his own secluded training area. Though he had interrupted Kakashi's attempt the first time, he stayed and watched through the whole entire scene as the lips met a pair other than his. Though he had kissed her before, she was unconscious so he wondered if that would even count? She would certainly not remember and the kiss from Kakashi was probably registered in her brain as his first.

"AHHH YOU GOT TO BE KIDDING ME!" The anger of the young Uchiha boy did not settle down at all. Rather, it continued to rise with with throw of kunai and shuriken. His mind was completely occupied by her – the last person in the world that he thought that catch the affections of the genius boy Uchiha Itachi. She was rude, stubborn and not afraid to stand up for herself, which is precisely why she had captured his heart. Most girls he came across fawned over him and would do anything for him. Anko was quite the opposite. If she didn't like something about Itachi, she would say it. Hell, she would even try to beat it into him until she had her point across, but she usually ended up losing which aggravated her further. Why? She still only saw Itachi as a child.

I'm not your average kid though! I wish she didn't see me as a child. WHY WON'T SHE ACKNOWLEDGE ME AS A MAN?!

His thoughts continued to run in circles, not really getting him anywhere. It pushed him to train harder, though he was so emotional that he seemed to be missing his targets by a few centimeters.

If I were to become more powerful than that freak-of-a-sensei of hers, would she recognize me then?

Just as he was about to haul another shuriken towards his target, he stopped in mid-motion and pulled himself back to mull over the thought that just popped into his head a little more.

Orochimaru, the man she has the most respect for in her life. If I were to surpass him, would that undying trust, respect and devotion be transferred to me?

It certainly was a comforting thought for the young Uchiha boy. It gave him a goal and a purpose, and something to focus on other than that good-for-nothing silver-haired womanizing scoundrel. His new-found burning passion of hate for Hatake Kakashi was born today, and he swore to himself silently that he would carry out his revenge on him, someday.

However, for now, he was focused on winning the attention and affection of Mitarashi Anko. He would accept no other girl but her.

The sun was setting, sending an orange glow through the window of Mitarashi Anko's apartment. She had managed to find her way home after the events which occurred which followed her training session for the day.

The confession of Hatake Kakashi was quite straightforward and to the point, which made her wonder what about her interested the mysteriously sexy male. Anko remembered her first impression on the guy, and even now she found him attractive, especially after seeing what his face was beneath the mask. She began to understand why he kept his face from the world – one glance was enough to put her in somewhat of a trance!

Confused, the apprentice of the Snake Sannin had no idea what to do. It wasn't like Orochimaru had ever taught her about love or the sorts, though there were a few times she could have sworn that he tried to make a move on her. Even so, there was a no way she would go for him. Orichimaru was her sensei! It was completely out of the question, not to mention the age gap between them.

Anko flopped onto her bed and buried her face in her favourite pillow. She wished that everything was just a dream and that she would wake up any moment now and realize it was all nothing but an illusion. So, she opened up her eyes, only to be faced with the same orange glow in her room, which was starting to fade into darkness.

It was not until later on she had remembered Itachi's question which he had asked earlier on.

"Anko, what am I to you?" The boy asked softly, with a hint of nervousness in his voice.

"Do you mean besides an annoyance?" She joked in reply.

"Just forget it!"

"Itachi, you're a very important person to me."

He is important to me, but in what way? It feels wrong to picture him like a brother, but what else could it be? Why can't someone just tell me the answer to all my problems?

Not wanting to face the world anymore, Anko slipped beneath her quilts and pulled the covers over her head, wanting to escape. She would have gladly slept away until the next morning, if her stomach had not complained.

"I guess I'll just head to Ichiraku tonight. I'm too lazy to cook..." she mumbled to herself as she grabbed her coat on her way out the door.

Kakashi wasn't sure what he felt like eating tonight, but the night was a little bit chilly and it was probably best to go for something warm. The Ichiraku ramen stand was close by and a certain somebody had just walked into the stand. Without further ado, he followed them into the stand.
Itachi's mother was out on a mission with his father, which was a very rare and strange occasion. He did not even know that his mother was still registered as a shinobi! Or that she was even one in the first place. However, his main concern was getting himself some dinner, as well as his little brother. Sasuke wasn't a fan for sweet things, which made the situation easier for him. He carried his little brother on his shoulders as they searched for a place to eat.

As they came closer to a familiar ramen stand, he saw Anko walk in, followed by Hatake Kakashi. Without any second thoughts, he walked in as well.

"Sasuke, we're going to have ramen tonight, alright?" He gave him no choice in the subject matter, not that it would matter anyway. Sasuke always seemed to comply with his decisions.

"Ooooh ramen! Ok nii-chan! I don't mind!" Sasuke said in his usually chipper chibi voice.

I have to make sure that Kakashi doesn't pull anymore moves on her... he can't have what doesn't belong to him.