Astrid was restless. Just sitting in her room, not be able to do anything for him.. Was it really that scary? What will she said to him once she found out what he had done? She knew for sure that she loves him, and nothing in this world couldn't change that fact.
Astrid gave the promise. Promise that she will chase him down to the depths of hell if she had to.

She tried to sleep but dreams weren't vivid like they usually were. She was constantly waking up in nightmares, so she just decided to let it go.

'He is currently going through the hell and here I am.. All helpless. I'm really good-for-nothing."

Astrid closed her eyes, slowly falling asleep. Slowly fading away..

It was morning in Konoha. The day was just like yesterday but without rain.

Astrid woke up, feeling dizzy. Her head was aching heavily and she wasn't in the mood to socialize with people. Especially not with her mother.

„Wake up, stupid girl. It seems like your beloved boyfriend has killed his entire clan, along with his parents. I wonder if you knew about that?" – it was her mother. She smiled maliciously, obviously enjoying.

„You are lying." – Astrid tried to calm herself, fearing the worst.

„Do you really think that I would lie? Go and see for yourself. I'm not lying, you know. You shouldn't talk like that with your mother."

„Mom.. I have to tell you something."

It was almost eight o' clock and time of their separation was closing by. Astrid felt sad for some reason, it was probably their last time.

„I have to go on a trip. Trip with no return. Maybe we won't be able to see each other. I'm so sorry. You were good mother." – she tried to hug her, but she rejected her.

„What are you saying? You are not going anywhere! I'm your mother who gave birth to you so I will decide when you are ready to go."

„I'm afraid I can't listen to you. Not anymore. I have to go. Even if you won't let me, i'll go. I'm sorry." – Astrid was looking through her, ready to pass through the door.

„But why.. Obviously I wasn't good enough for you.. I see.. Well, I did the best I could.." – she fell on her knees, crying histerically.

„I have to chase him.."

„Who?"

„Itachi."

„But you heard.. He killed his mother and father, you can do much better.. I will found you someone else, just ask me, I can do anything..."

„No.. I gave him my promise, to never let him down.. I have to go, I'm sorry.. Maybe we'll see each other again."

„Promise me that your hands won't be dirty next time we meet."

„I promise, mother."

„Thank you.. I never told you, but I love you. Really, I loved you your whole life. I never showed it, but I cared for you and I still do."
„I know."

It was heart-breaking separation. Astrid felt empty. Her mother loved her all this time and she didn't noticed that. How could she be so stupid?

It was almost nine o' clock and she was running fast, trying to ignore surprised views. Yes, people were talking about her and him. What she will do? Start a new life, without him? It seemed impossible.
Astrid turned invisible, passing by guards easily. It was one of those little things she learned on academy.

Their place was one mile away from Konoha's entrance. It was little house on tree, hidden in branches and leaves.

Astrid and Itachi spent childhood on that tree, so she smiled lightly when she remembered some good, old times. Anyway, what will they do once they see each other? Will she be able to face him? Well, whatever happened, they will be together. In life or in death. It's the same. He was probably waiting inside the secret base.

Astrid stopped, heavily breathing. Air was cold, pinching her cheeks. After one, long minute she decided to finally get in.

Itachi was sitting, with his back turned to her.

„Itachi?" – Astrid said gently, not wanting to disturb his thoughts.

He turned his head around, fearing that she'll hate him for what he did. His eyes were red, probably from crying and sleepless night.

All of her fears were gone now, when she felt much greater love for him then ever. She just wanted to comfort him, tell him that everything will be allright, so she did it.

Astrid sat beside him, saying for wourds:

„I don't hate you."

Hearing those words, he placed his head in her lap, crying silently. Astrid didn't say anything more, just going through his hair with her fingers.

„I heard what you did. So you don't have to say anything if it's hard for you."

„Why do you still love me? I'm monster.. Monster who killed his parents. Why, Astrid?"

„I'm sure you had a good reason for that. I believe in you Itachi."

„It means a lot to me. Thank you."

„It's okay. We're friends, right?"

„Yep. Always."

„So Itachi... Where are we going now? We can't go back to village." – Astrid asked silently, cursing herself under the breath. She knew that she shouldn't mention village, not now, when he finally came to his senses, but she was curious.

„We are joining the Akatsuki."

„Criminal organization?"

Itachi was surprised that Astrid knew about Akatsuki. They were secret organization, and not many people have been familiar with that matter.

„I know more than you think. It was on that mission, two months ago. When I returned all beaten." – she said thoughtfully.

Itachi was now curious. She never told him the details of that night.

There were three of them; Astrid, Seiji and Makoto along with their sensei. They were all capable shinobis so lady Hokage gave them A-rank mission. They had to catch missing-nin Hidan who belonged to Akatsuki.

"So this Akatsuki.. It's criminal organization?" – Astrid was sitting beneath the big, oak tree.

"Yes. We have to be careful. They are refugees who would kill their comrades if it's in their interest."

"So, what's the plan, sensei?" – Seiji asked, leaning against Astrid's shoulder.

"Astrid, you'll be the intruder. You are woman, and I believe that you can use your charm to bring him in this place" – he pointed at little X marked on map. "We will wait for you here and trap him with Makoto's jutsu."

"So I'm practically scapegoat?"

"Yes, that's right."

"So Hidan did this to you?" – he pointed at scar which stretched from the stomach to the chest.

"I almost died. That bastard will pay." – she muttered, looking somewhere in the distance.

"Is that all? What else he did to you?"

"It's not that I want to remember, but he almost raped me."

Astrid was scared to death. It was not easy job to intrude in the most dangerous criminal organization.

She was dressed in short, maid dress which revealed her little ass as she walked. It was embarrassing and she felt like a whore. What will Hidan do when he sees her? Will he rape her? Beat her?

'Someone is coming..' – Hidan thought as he was stretching limbs on the couch. He wanted to sleep but he couldn't.

'I could fucking kill someone right now, I'm so pissed. Damn…'

It took him some time before he opened the door. He was ready to took scythe and kill intruder but instead of it; he froze. Maybe she really had a charm. Astrid was looking down, scared to death.

Yellow maid dress was too tight, so it revealed much more than it should. In the same time, it was perfectly blending with her big-rounded breasts. His gaze moved from breasts to legs. She was just perfect.

"What the fuck are you doing here, are you lost?" – Hidan grinded, closing the gap between them.

"Yes… May I go in? I'm cold and hungry! Please let me stay, just one night…" – she sobbed, trying to drive him off.

"I have a big, nice bed! It's really big… You would like it. Come here, I'll show you paradise…" – he grinded against her. She felt his erection, wondering what turned on him so quickly.

"Please, don't do it. I'm not interested…" – she was trying to be polite, but he was persistent.

"I can help you, my little pet…" – his eyes were hungry, filled with lust. Astrid was scared, not being able to escape. She screamed, yelled, hoping that someone would hear her.

"Stop it, you fucking jashinist!"- Someone interrupted them.

It was Kakuzu, Hidan's partner.

"And that's it… This scar, well, he got me with kunai. But I healed most of it, and I'm fine now." – She smiled.

Astrid didn't know for how long Itachi was sleeping and she didn't want to wake him up either. He needed that sleep, which was the fact.

She closed her eyes while holding hand on his head.

"Wake up, Astrid. We have to go." – His voice was soft and gentle, causing her shivers.

She reached his hand and he was there to pick her up. It was surprising. Even after all of this, she still loved him more than ever. Like many times before, he was now convinced that she is right person for him.

"You won't fall. I'm here." – He whispered, hugging her tightly.

All of her worries disappeared.