Hey! This story will be coming to an end pretty soon! If you're interested in more shenanigans with Payton and Itachi I have a continuing Fan manga on my DA or on my Art Facebook! Just a few more chapters! Thank you for those who read and reviewed!

A few weeks had passed since that night. True to their word, it was like it had never happened. Just who were the Akatsuki? Some sort of anti-hero group? Payton didn't think a lot about it. She had been going to see his uncle Madara and was honestly smiling a little more often. She felt...safe for once. She had made friends with Itachi's little brother...well more so the three he always chose to hang around, Karin, Suigetsu, and Jugo. Naruto, Sakura, and Sai also could be seen around her a lot of the time too. She didn't really take part in a lot with the Akatsuki, simply because she was always around them outside of school. She worked as a secretary with Itachi's cousin Shishui. No one questioned a lot about her anymore and that was just perfect. Still she couldn't shake the undeniable feeling that something was about to go terribly wrong.

Currently, she was out with Sasori and Deidara getting art supplies. It was funny really. They both wanted her to venture out in their area of art. A week of pestering between the two of them and she finally told them she would try both. Watching them scatter around looking at different things, talking to each other over the store, and arguing here and there made her yearn for when she could afford to be that carefree again. Just a little bit longer, and she could leave here for good. She felt a small amount of guilt at this thought. They had been helping her even more so since she had told them the truth. However...she would be lying if she said she didn't have a real reason to stay. She missed her own country...she missed being able to visit her mom's grave. Of course she never told them about her plans. She had saved almost everything since she got that job. Enough to get her home and be able to live off of.

"Payton," Deidara said as he ran up and took her hand suddenly, "Come here, yeah!"

She blushed lightly at this. His grin was huge and the grip on her small hand in his big one was tight, denying any use to try and escape. At her nod, he smiled bigger and dragged her down the aisle to the back of the store. Sasori opened the door once they were there and led them in. She blinked a few times and looked around. There was a big room here. One side had a work table that had wood and various different saws and parts. The other side had different pottery and such on it. It was obvious that this was their own private work area. They both had a hold on her hand, both of them looked both happy that she was there but reserved as well, like they didn't take many people here. She slowly slipped her hands free of theirs and wiped her hands on her jeans. This made both of them frown. Sasori as the first to talk.

"I wish you would learn to see us more," he said in a soft voice.

This made her blink and they walked her in further. She smiled again as they dragged her back and forth between their areas, teaching her things here and there. Music started to play on shuffle and they all ended up dancing with messy hands and laughter. However, every time they tried to get closer to her or try to touch her she would move away or push their hands away. She missed their looks over her head, the hidden message behind what they were doing...or did she really? She had overheard Pein talking with Dr. Uchiha about her 'love life' and how that might help her problem, or at least having a 'close friend'. Seems like the leader still thought he was protecting her in some way. No...she knew that as soon as September hit she would be gone. She had lived this long not wanting anything of the sort, why would she need it now.

Her thoughts were interrupted as they pressed her between them, Sasori staring down at her with a frown.

"Payton...We aren't mindless drones for Pein," he told her, "Artists should stick together."

Deidara was about to talk, but she pushed them away roughly, a blush on her face. "STOP."

Deidara shied back when her angry eyes glared at them. Sasori put a hand in his pocket, giving her the same bored look he always did.

"Look," she said after a minute, "I don't know what everyone is thinking, but I know I am not interested in any of you. Don't get me wrong, you're all very attractive people, but I don't think like that. So please...just cherish being my friends while I'm still here. Ok?"

She blinked now. They both had started to smile warmly at her. "What?"

"You just called us your friends, un..."

(skip)

She thought about what had happened earlier that week. She had...called them her...friends. How had she let herself slip up but for once it felt like she had no regrets about it. It was true...this odd group of misfits and fugitives (as she had been told by accident) were the closest things she had to friends in a long time. It put a soft smile on her face. Maybe she would keep in touch once she left, it was the least she could do after all. There was a soft knock on the door and her soft voice rang out to let them enter.

Itachi closed the door softly behind him, despite her constant protest of him doing so. He smiled seeing her in the soft light of her desk, focused on whatever she was working on. He assumed homework. Even though she didn't really need to do it, it kept both appearances up and her mind busy. He was quiet as he walked over to her and began to massage her shoulders. It wasn't sensual or anything of the sort, she didn't see him that way. It bothered him, but he knew of her plans to leave...what point would there be? Some romantic point to her staying? If only she thought that way. No, this was a friendly gesture. One she still rejected after a moment once he gave her a tease.

"Mm...your hair smells good..."

"Damn it, pretty boy," she waved her hand at him, almost hitting him in the face.

He chuckled and moved to lean back against the edge of her desk. Come to find, she was drawing a picture of a woman.

"Who is that?"

"...My mom...at least what I can remember about her."

He regretted asking now, seeing those brown eyes glass over with tears. Long fingers fought the urge to brush the salty waters from her cheeks, but they didn't move less they met her wrath again. Instead, he looked away for a few quiet minutes. What should he say about that?

"It's ok," she finally said to him, "You didn't know."

The pencil fell from her hand as a sigh left her lips.

"I miss her...so much...," he was surprised to hear her continue, "I thought I had gotten able to get over it little by little because of the long time that had passed...but I don't think you can do something like that. In the years I've been running, I watched others hug and be family...friends turned into family...something I never really knew could happen. But you all did it...It made me feel so angry. Where...would I ever fit in like that? What did a real family even look like and what deity did I piss off so I would never see it? Funny how things change, huh?"

Their talks had started to become like this. He wished they wouldn't, but his uncle told him it would be the best thing to let her talk these thoughts out. At least...she only did it with him. The selfish side of him relished in that some parts of her would only be his.

"...Would you like to see a family," he questioned. 'Would you want to become apart of one?'

She blinked a few times at him. "What do you mean? Like visit your family? Doesn't your dad hate me or something because of all that trouble?"

"Well it wouldn't be ideal, we have our share of problems too. Our family has always stuck to more tradition than anything. And no he doesn't hate you. His anger comes from being a father. He wouldn't admit it anytime soon, but mother says he wants to make sure you're safe. Though he does hate that you refused to go live in the manor where he could have you watched."

She studied him for a long time, searching his black eyes for any sign that he might be lying to her again. "D-do you think that I would be able to handle that kind of stress?"

"Stress," he questioned, raising an eyebrow.

"I may not be a fancy psychiatrist, but I do know that seeing a functioning family...might end up being a little too much."

"Madara will be there. So will Shishui, Sasuke, and I. You'll be fine."

He gave her a smile and after a few more minutes of prompting, she finally agreed and kicked him out of the room for the night.

(Uchiha Manor)

Payton fidgeted with the edge of her skirt, the nicest one she owned. She had been told to dress as nicely as she could. She went to a thrift store with Karin who knew what kind of outfits Itachi's picky family approved of and did not. She had been over there countless times before. In the end, Payton decided that she wasn't going to conform to what they deemed appropriate. Karin mentioned she had done the same and she was still allowed to see Sasuke. Karin was a great friend, when she wasn't having a jealousy spike. Why she thought she was interested in Sasuke like that, she would never know. Friend...it was still rather odd to think about her using that phrase again. She looked around at the foyer. Just the first room of the house and she already felt like she had walked into a private resort. All of this, and Itachi chose to live with the Akatsuki in a continuously renovated old apartment building? She knew better than most that there was always a reason to do such a thing despite a family. Perhaps this wasn't the best idea ever...

"You're shaking your leg. What is bothering you?"

She turned around and saw Madara standing there. He was in a suit as usual, his long and spiky hair falling behind his shoulders, the same smirk he always wore when he saw her.

"What? No special outfit while at home," she responded with sarcasm, though she was smiling.

A deep chuckle rumbled through his chest as he walked over and fixed a strand of hair. "It's not like we don't have them...but we do keep up with the times. You look nice."

She blushed at his words and looked away, pushing down the skirt again as an after-thought. It wasn't that it was short, she was nervous, he could see that much.

"Come," he said, moving to the side, "We can get you something to drink. Dinner will be ready soon. I made sure our cooks knew about your diet."

She only gave a nod to him, taking his arm he offered. Normally she would have ignored it, but at the moment, he was the only one that she had here to hide behind. He escorted her to the dining room where Sasuke and Itachi were already sitting. When she walked in, all eyes darted to her. She tried to hold back a blush, however, it still spread on her cheeks brightly. Madara made a subtle wave of his hand by his leg and they all looked away. Itachi and Sasuke got up to go greet her. She let go of Madara and fell into her normal banter with the two brothers. Madara watched closely even as he engaged in conversation. She had been doing better and better. Of course the hope for her to stay here so he could ensure she got better all the way was high. Perhaps this dinner would work in his favor as well.

"Oh my...you said she was beautiful but, sons, she is so much more enchanting than that!"

Payton blushed and turned to see a lovely woman standing there with a tray of or-dervs, smiling at her. She recognize this woman as Sasuke's mother, whom she had only seen through pictures. She set the tray down and wiped her hands on the apron she was wearing. Payton raised an eyebrow. All of these workers and she still kept home. Must be that Uchiha logic she heard so much about. She hid behind Itachi now, making him blink a bit at her.

"Oh," she chuckled behind her hand, "I didn't mean to make you all shy...though that only adds to your charm. Itachi! Sasuke! Quit standing there and get her a seat!"

Payton blushed harder at the sudden attention and held up her hands to stop them, but Madara chuckled. "It's no use. They are momma's boys."

She got a smirk "Oh...Deidara and Naruto will just love to hear that..."

He chuckled with her and soon she was seated. She started conversing with Mikoto, who was still trying to feed her and serve her, since she was the guest. Payton just politely denied it, feeling more and more awkward by the minute. A few minutes later, a voice from the back announced that dinner was ready and she watched everyone sit down. Madara sat across from her beside Shishui and Obito, Itachi and Sasuke sat on either side of her. She watched Mikoto move to the head of the table yet didn't sit down until a stern looking man walked in and pulled the chair out for her, before seating himself. She tensed up and looked away. That she knew was Fugaku, their father. The look he always had on his face put bad memories in her head. She felt a poke on her leg and looked up through her hair at Madara who gave her a stern look of his own. She took a breath but didn't look up.

Things were relatively quiet for the majority of the dinner. Even Shishui was being silent as he ate...that's something Payton never thought would happen. Payton had stopped eating by the second course. Mainly because her stomach started to ache from the nervousness she felt. Every so often, Mikoto would start a short conversation with her, but it never went past her answering the question she gave. Madara decided to break the silence by talking with Fugaku about work. She was thankful for this honestly. The older man may be creepy and inappropriate at times, but he was good at his job.

"Ms. Poole," Fugaku suddenly addressed her, making her freeze where she sat, though she did look up at him.

"Yes sir?"

"I would think that after everything my family has done for you, you would act a little more hospitable towards us."

Payton dropped her fork, her eyes widening in disbelief. Did he just...really say that?!

"I didn't ask for that help. You offered it," she said in a neutral tone, suddenly finding her voice.

"I would watch your tongue," he scolded in a harsh and threatening tone.

Payton stood up and sighed deeply. "Goodbye then."

Fugaku blinked, standing as well to stop her. She was already out the front door before anyone could do anything.

"Smooth one Fugaku...real smooth," Madara snickered at him.

(Skip)

It had been three weeks since that had happened. Itachi had tried to apologize for his father, assuring her their help wouldn't stop. He felt terrible about putting her through that. What was supposed to be part of her therapy of seeing that functional families exist, turned into what his father thought was him teasing her. Fugaku had even came in person, bowing to her in apology. She only stared at him and nodded before walking away. Even Madara was having a little trouble with their sessions now. He looked over at her doodling on a piece of paper like she normally did. He asked her to draw how she was feeling through their entire hour from start to finish. At the moment it was just random swirls. He pursed his lips into a thin line before leaning forward.

"I assure you Payton-"

"How can there be functional families with men like that in the world?"

He leaned back, keeping a neutral expression. "I have told you not to base everything on a few experiences. I would suggest going to the Uzumaki household or even the Haruno's. I told you that you would need to for your therapy."

"Why," she said with an angry sigh, "I know that not all families are the sa-"

"But you haven't seen one that didn't end in abuse."

She froze slightly and looked down, her hand laying down the pencil. He hated that it came to this, but he couldn't ease her into it forever. That's not how he worked after all. He stood up and took out his metronome, setting it in front of her on the desk. She looked first at it then at him, slowly shaking her head in disapproval.

"Ms. Poole, I think we have danced around this long enough. You have told me that you were planning to leave after you turn 18, but I do not plan to release you until I am sure that you won't do anything stupid. I don't get attached to my clients, but you have been a special case. I know it hurts, but I need you to start dwelving into the past...starting from your mother's death, to the first time you were touched, the first hit, to moving here, everything. I will have you under hypnosis so you don't leave anything out. Do you think you can sign to agree to this harsher but quicker method so I can help you leave as I have promised?"

She looked up at him, her brown eyes wide. It was true, he was breaking a lot of codes from his training, just for her. But was she really ready to just...start doing such a thing so suddenly and all at once? She stared down at her hands before giving a soft nod. Madara smiled softly at her before leading her to the couch where he had her sign something and then lay down. He started the metronome and began speaking softly to her. Soon enough he had her under and after a few test questions he started to record. This had a double reasoning. The police wasn't going to let her leave if she wasn't telling the truth. This was the best way to get everything.

And everything was true. His face twisted into rage as she retold the same story Itachi had relayed to them, but he schooled his face back into a neutral one and finally brought her out of it. He left the lights off and covered her up, letting her rest like he normally did. This was more complicated than he thought...if she lived a normal life after all of this...it would only be if she remained around here.

(Next day at School)

"So that's why you should go on a fucking date with me!"

Payton laughed behind her hand, making Hidan pout at her angrily. "Why do you think that would work? I mean we go out all the time together."

"No but think about it! I can be romantic as hell!"

"How long have you known me to like romance?"

"Well..I...Shit! PLEASE!"

Everyone around them laughed at the normal conversation that happened with the two. It wasn't like Hidan was actually trying, but it always made her laugh. That was enough for them not to stop it. Itachi smiled. Ever since her last session with Madara, she had opened up considerably. It was nice to see her act almost normally.

The laughter stopped suddenly when Payton suddenly stood up, shaking as she backed up from the lunch table. The Akatsukis' eyes looked over to the door. There stood a man with a heartbroken looking woman holding onto his arm. Payton started to tear up before she bolted out of the door, but not before both called her name, the man taking quick steps forward.

Her father had found her.