Assassin of the Rose.

An Itachi-Ino Story.

Itachi Uchiha is a deadly ninja who slaughtered his clan. Ino Yamanaka was a girly, girl with only one thought on her mind-Sasuke. What has happened to dramatically change Ino's life and bring these two closer together? And what is Deidara's part in all of this?

-x-x-x-x-

I woke suddenly. Sweat beaded my forehead and I ran a hand across it to wipe it away. I breathed deeply. It was my usual nightmare. The faces of my old friends had swum in and out of my line of vision, speaking the same words they did on the night I left. I shuddered and hugged my knees.

A knock at my door made me jump out of bed quickly. The door opened and Itachi stepped over the threshold. He wasn't wearing his Akatsuki cloak this morning. Instead he wore black pants and a black tank top. I could see his well defined muscles and I felt a blush creeping up my neck.

Itachi smirked. 'Like what you see?' he asked.

'Yes I mean no. I mean uh….' I trailed off.

'I'm sorry to disturb you at such an early hour but Konan has sent me to tell you that your training starts in half an hour' he said smoothly.

'Ok. Umm early hour?' I asked.

'Its five am.'

'WHAT!?!?!' I screeched.

In a flash Itachi's hand was over my mouth and he had me backed against the wall. I fought to keep my blush down.

'Keep your voice down will you!' he hissed 'You do not want to wake up anyone'

I nodded mutely and gave him a glare. He released my mouth but did not step back. He was inches away from me and I suddenly had an insane urge to reach out and touch his muscles. Stop that, I scolded myself.

I moved out from under him and opened my closet. I rifled through and found black training pants and a red tank top.

'Would you mind leaving me whilst I change?' I asked sweetly.

'No'

'And why not?' I spluttered. My brain was screaming pervert, pervert!

'Because I am to show you the way to the training grounds. I am not a pervert by the way so I shall turn around to let you change' he said and, true to his word, turned around.

Not wanting to have him see me naked I quickly threw on my clothes and shook out my hair and ran a brush through it. By this time I noticed that Itachi had turned around. He moved closer to me and held out something. I sighed heavily. My Konoha head band, which I had slashed when I had run away.

'Did you go threw my stuff' I asked quietly.

'Yes, ever Akatsuki member needs one of these. It's to symbolize that we had homes and families, even if we don't now' he said just as quietly.

My voice caught in my throat and I swallowed evenly. I knew he was instantly referring to himself. I looked down. Back home Sasuke had still not returned, that much I knew. It was Itachi's fault, but right now, right here, I could not bring myself to think ill of him. He had given me a new home and was being nice to me. I felt a cool hand cup my chin and lift it upwards.

Itachi's onyx eyes bored into my eyes. A small sad smile graced his lips.

'Ino one day I will explain to you why I did what I did. But for now we have to work on getting you a spot in the Akatsuki.' he murmured.

I nodded; completely shocked that he could be so gentle. He took my hand and led me out of my room. Left turn, right turn. Down an alley, up another. Then we reached a large, heavy looking door. Itachi dropped my hand and pushed open the door.

Konan was standing there, dressed in a training uniform. Her Akatsuki cloak was draped over a railing. It was large arena with stands in which to sit. She knew instantly that the other Akatsuki were going to be watching her fight with Kisame. She gulped.

'Thanks Itachi. I'll take it from here' Konan said.

'I think I'll stay actually' Itachi said smoothly.

Konan narrowed her eyes. 'Get lost' she hissed.

Itachi's eyes flickered to mine for a brief second. I'll be fine, I mouthed. He nodded, gave Konan a cheery grin and departed.

'Son of a bitch' she muttered under her breath.

I giggled. 'He's not that bad'

Konan shot me a look and then seem to awake to herself. 'Let's get started!' she said.

-x-x-x-x-

2 Months Later…

'Good job Ino!' Konan cried as I landed from my new jutsu.

I grinned. 'I'm going to kick arse!'

'Too right!' she said and then she sat down on the floor, motioning for me to join her.

'Ino I should tell you something. The fight is tomorrow right?'

'Yeah'

'Well Deidara will be there' she whispered.

I nodded mutely, wanting to scream out why! I knew why. He was an Akatsuki member, he had every right to watch me fight. Lately my dreams had been filled with a face, with blonde hair and blue eyes. I wasn't sure if it was what he really looked like but I knew that wanted to meet him. I needed answers.

-x-x-x-x-

Itachi handed over his report to Pein and turned to leave the leader. At the precise moment the door banged open and in strode two people in black cloaks. One was blonde and the other had an orange mask. Deidara and Tobi. Itachi grimaced.

'Welcome back' Pein said.

'Un, this brat here is driving me insane' Deidara growled, jerking a thumb over his shoulder to Tobi.

'Aww Dei-dei that's no nice!' Tobi whined.

Itachi and Deidara rolled their eyes at the same time and Pein sighed tiredly.

'Tobi, Hidan wants to see you. So could you leave please' he asked.

Tobi obliged and bounced out the door. Deidara muttered profanities under his breath and then turned to Pein.

'What's up?' he demanded. 'I know you wanted to get rid of Tobi for a reason'

'This is why' Itachi said and held out a photo of Ino for the arsonist to take.

Deidara stared at the photo for a second and then his hands began to shake. He turned to Pein, angry.

'What is this?' he hissed.

'She is related to you yes?' Pein asked, ignoring Deidara's question.

'My sister' he hissed 'Why are you bringing this up?'

'Because Itachi brang her here. She left Konoha and was an assassin for hire. If she beats Kisame in a fight she will become a member' Pein explained.

Deidara looked completely livid. He turned on Itachi, fury radiating from his form. He lunged and Itachi blocked his movements. Deidara was about to hit Itachi when he found out that he couldn't move.

'What the -?' he asked.

'Cut it out you two' Konan said, her hands still in the handsigns.

Pein chuckled. 'I didn't know you knew such a jutsu Konan' he told his lover.

'Ino taught me it. It's called the Mind Distraction Jutsu. It works a treat' Konan bragged.

'Where is she now?' Pein asked.

'Training with Kakazu' Konan answered.

'Let me go Konan' Itachi hissed. Konan obliged and Itachi stalked out of Pein's office withouth further ado. Deidara glared at Konan.

'I want an explanation' Pein snapped.

-x-x-x-x-

A/N:

Done for now. Next time will be the fight. Jerry, jerry, jerry! Lol please comment!.