As soon as Deidara got up and not knowing Akira making a sketch of him, they both decided that they better head back to the Akatsuki headquarters.

While they were heading back, Akira started to feel uneasy with Deidara around. And so, she kept a distance from him. Deidara noticed Akira's awkwardness and stopped.

"What's wrong?"

"Iie (No)…it's nothing. You go ahead." Deidara started walking again.

Why am I starting to feel uneasy when I'm with him? I wasn't like this before, Akira thought.

"Why are you quiet all of sudden, un?"

"I told you…it's nothing. Is there anything wrong being quiet at times?"

"No, not at all, un."

Deidara looked up. It was getting late.

"We better run now. Leader-sama must be furious already…that we're not there, un."

"Deidara?"

"Hmm?"

"Gomen-nasai (Sorry), Deidara. I'll tell the Leader that it's my fault." Akira said.

"No need to say sorry. I can explain everything to Leader-sama." Deidara replied.

-0-

The Leader banged his hand on the wall.

"Where are Deidara and Akira? They've been gone for so long already."

"Leader-sama, don't be furious," Kisame said, grinning, "…they must be on a date. And—"

"A date?! I forbid it. He must put aside his feelings towards a person." The Leader said, cutting off Kisame.

"Why?" Tobi asked.

"He'll be distracted at such things. He may not be doing his work well anymore." The Leader explained.

"Be reasonable, Leader-sama. I think they're just really close friends and all that. Nothing further than that!" Tobi said.

The Leader crossed his arms. "They better be."

Zetsu, who had the ability to see from a long distance, looked behind them and said, "They're here."

"Finally." The Leader said.

-0-

Zetsu was right. Deidara and Akira were just outside of the headquarters.

As the two got in, they saw Kisame waiting for them there.

"So…how was your date?" Kisame asked with a smug look on his face.

"IT WAS NOT A DATE!" They both exclaimed.

"Sure. Whatever you guys say." Kisame replied, grinning, "And, oh yeah, you two are so busted with Leader."

Akira turned to Deidara.

"I better talk to Leader about it. It's my fault." She said to him.

"Akira, we talked about this earlier. I will talk to Leader…" Deidara replied, "I'll do it right now, un."

"Ahh…okay." Akira said, "I'll just go to the dining room and find something to eat."

"Sure, un." Deidara replied before he went off to Leader's room.

-0-

Apparently, Akira wasn't the only one in the kitchen. She saw Itachi eating his food silently.

She then pulled a seat and sat beside him. Itachi stopped eating and looked at her.

"What do you want?" He asked.

"Food." Akira replied with a smile on her face. Itachi raised an eyebrow.

"If you're acting like Zetsu, stop it and get some food in the fridge. And stop staring at me."

"Sorry about that. And, oh yeah...I don't have any intentions of eating people, especially Uchiha Sasuke's older brother."

"That's good to hear. Now, move along."

"Oh come on! Can we just talk a little more?"

"No. Now, go away...please."

"Why not?"

"You're annoying."

"No, I'm not. I'm not like Tobi. I just want to meet new people."

"You don't want to know me."

"Sure I do! I want to know more about Uchiha Itachi..."

"No, you don't."

"Gee…you remind me of Sasuke."

"I do not."

"Yes, you're right. Sasuke's a jerk, in my opinion…"

"Why do you say that? But, do go on…" Akira smiled.

"I find Sasuke's clever and all that…not to mention cute… --Itachi rolled his eyes— but, I feed a jerk coz'…he had to go to Orochimaru's side to become stronger…"

"And, try to kill me. Yes, I know."

"All he thinks about is revenge."

"Hmph. He's really my foolish little brother. I told him to run away, but he didn't."

"So much for brotherly love." Akira muttered. She then decided to change the topic, "Can I ask something?"

"Another one? This better be the last one."

"Does Deidara like me? I just want to know…"

Itachi became silent and just stared at her.

I shouldn't have asked him that…he's not the kind of person who wants to talk about such things. I should have asked happy person like Tobi. Gee…this guy's going to kill me and think I'm such a boy-crazy person, Akira thought.

"Ahaha. Ermm…sorry, if I have bothered you. I lost my appetite anyway…I'll just be going then!" Akira said in a rush.

But before she ran out of the room, she heard Itachi whispering…

"He likes you too."

Akira's heart leapt for joy. Deidara likes her too! But she needs proof…

Is Itachi just saying that so she could stop asking him questions? Or is he really saying the truth?