„Astrid, we are here."

They were walking for some time. Both of them were tired; weather became unbearable and sun was shining heavily.

„Thanks god..." - she was holding Itachi's hand while squeezing it lightly.

„I will go in first, they're expecting me."

„I'm going with you."

„No."

„Yes."

She was starring in his eyes, pleading him in the same time. He couldn't refuse her. They were in this together from the beginning to the end.

„I'm acting selfish again. I'm sorry."

„I don't mind. Let's go."

She was now walking behind him, utterly grateful for his presence. He was her support, she was his muse. They enjoyed looking at each other, just looking, not touching. Astrid had beautiful curved body and perfect face; but it was more than meets the eye. He loved her not because of her body, to hell, they never ever slept together. He loved her because she was smart, and she could always cheer him up like nobody could.

„Itachi." – she stopped, now smiling.

„What?" – he turned around, surprised.

„Come here, please."

„Oh, okay."

She took his hand, caressing hair with the other.

„Do you remember what we were talking about couple of months ago?"

„Let's see.. About wedding?" – he said seriously, watching her fingers tangled with his hair.

„Yes. I want to become your wife; i want to make you breakfast, and lunch, and dinner. Maybe one day we could have beautiful kids..."

Astrid was lounging on Itachi's bed, solving some complicated crossword puzzle.

'Hmph...' – she was fully concentraced. Itachi giggled – it was habit of her – to bite the tip of the pen.

„I give up. I'm too stupid for this shit..." – she dropped the crossword and the pen, sighing heavily.

„Do you need help?" – she moved to the side, letting Itachi lay beside her. With crossword in one hand and pen in other, he settled himself.

„Let's see.. This one is wrong. And this one. And this one too... This is all wrong. My, my..."

Astrid yanked pen out of his hand and dropped it on the other side of the room.

„No more stupid crosswords. I'm sick of them. They make me feel stupid and I'm pretty sure that I don't need that kind of negativity in my life. So just.. come.. here.."

She laid on Itachi's stomach, nuzzling his neck in the same time.

„I'm bored... Let's do something..." – she murmured slowly.

„Maybe I have an idea. You'll like it"

„What?"

„You have to guess!"

He smiled wickedly with a hint of malice in voice.
„If you don't want to tell me, then I'll get it out of you. With force, of course!" – Astrid started to tickle him and he was indeed forced to spill everything.

„I'll tell you! Just stop it, for god's sake!"
„You're a good boy. I like you." – she smiled, kissing him in the forehead.

„Okay. We can plan our wedding."

Astrid smiled, accepting his request and turned on her back, waiting for him to settle too. Only one inch separated them. It was their usual way of talking.

„Okay. I'll be the first to tell you my idea. If you don't like something, you can correct me once when i'm done. Are you ready?"

„I am. Tell me."

„So... I want to marry you somewhere quiet, where there is no people around. Just you and me. You can have dress if you want to, but if you don't want to then you don't have to. Hmmmm... Maybe that could be on some meadow, where grass is greener and flowers are white, because I always wanted to put flowers in your hair. And after we get married there would be this big sunrise and we will lay on the grass, and enjoy.. We can fall asleep after that."

Itachi said, still looking her straight in eyes.

„I like your idea, you know... I promise you that you'll see flowers in my hair." – she said, calming herself.

„I just wanted to tell you.. Don't forget about that. It's deal, right?" – for some reason, she wanted from him to confirm that.

„Of course it is. Don't you ever doubt it. Okay?" – he asked, turning around again.

„Okay."

They were now in front of the base and Astrid was pretty nervous. She didn't wanted to see Hidan, not now. Not ever. She knew that he'll remember her, so she was hoping that Itachi will always be somewhere near.

„If it's Hidan who is bothering your head, you don't have to worry. I'll protect you, no matter what."

It was strange how he always knew what was bothering her. She didn't have to say anything. It was much easier that way because Astrid wasn't good with showing emotions.

They went inside, seeing four people sitting and standing in front of them. First one who spoke was leader of Akatsuki, Pein:

„We have a new member, Itachi Uchiha. And who might this beloved lady be?" – Pein sad politely, now interested in her.

„She is my girl, soulmate and best friend. Uzumaki Astrid. She wants to become a member of Akatsuki." – Itachi spoke.

„Nice to meet you. I'm Uzumaki Astrid." – red haired girl now stood before Pein, looking in his purple eyes.

„Do you have any skills?"

„I don't want to brag, but I'm good at healing. I can heal any wound and revive almost any corpse. I can show you, if you want."

„Yes, I do. Please show me your skills."

Itachi come closer, handing Astrid sharp, iron kunai. With one swift movement, she stabbed him in artery, causing a big amount of blood to drop from wound.

„What are you doing? Do you want to kill him? You practically tore his arthery apart!" – someone from the four member group yelled.

„Just fucking shut up when I'm trying to concentrate!" – Astrid screamed, closing her eyes in the same time. She said five words, holding one hand on his wound. Damage was decreasing, leaving only one small scar.

„I'm healing scars too."

Astrid practically touched scar and it was gone. They couldn't believe it. Itachi was alive and well, with no wounds and no scars.

„She thinks she is stupid, but when it comes to healing, she really is professional."

Pein came close to her, caressing her cheek and chin. He was admiring her long, red hair.

„Uzumaki... I can see that. Your hair.. It's too red. But I like it. It's beautiful. I'm glad that you decided to join us. Welcome in Akatsuki, both of you."

Meeting went well and Astrid didn't saw Hidan today so she was relieved.
„This will be our room from now on." – Itachi finally sat on bed, putting head in his hands.

„It's nice. I can't wait to get showered." – Astrid chipped. Instead of sleeping, she was now full of energy, constantly jumping everywhere.

Suddenly, they heard knocking. This startled them and Itachi quickly jumped while Astrid was hiding behind his back.

„Who is it?"

„It's me, Konan. We've seen each other on the meeting. Please, open."

Blue haired kunoichi Konan went in and started to apologize for intruding.

„I'm sorry, I overheard your conversation earlier.. I just wanted to tell you something. If you don't mind of course." – Astrid somehow liked this woman. She was polite and good-mannered.

„There is one lake, not far from base. It's hidden in mountains and trees, so it's perfect if you want to be alone. Water is perfectly clean so you don't have to worry.. Well, I guess you wanted to know. So I'm going now. Pein-sama is calling me. It was my pleasure. Bye!" Konan bowed, dissapearing in cloud of smoke.

„Are you interested Astrid?" – it was rhetorical question. Astrid was now tying her hair, all ready to go.

„Of course I am. It's a great chance to get intimate."

Itachi was now completely stunned but decided to keep quiet.

„Not in the physical way, idiot!" – she settled herself in his lap, cursing her own stupidity.

„Yes, yes. I understand."

Astrid was tired so Itachi gave her a piggyback-ride. She decided to rest, so she leaned her head against his back.

„Wake up, sleepyhead, we are here."

Astrid opened her eyes admiring the view. Lake was indeed very clean and big. It wasn't visible from the outside, you had to go deep down into the forest to see it.

„Let me down, Itachi!" – she was like a bomb.

„Okay, okay." – He lowered her gently.

Sun was still shining and weather was perfect for swimming. Astrid quickly took all of her clothes off so she could get in the lake quickly.

„Come on, hurry up. Water is perfect!" – her naked form was simply calling him. It seemed like no one existed for him; only her.

„I'll be there in a second. Don't go any further!"

Itachi walked towards her, admiring her beauty in the same time. She tilted her head innocently, trying to cover herself.

„It's okay. You don't have to be shy. Just take my hand."

Astrid took his hand and he led her deeper into the water. She wasn't very good swimmer and Itachi knew that, so he offered his back to her. Her hands were now on his shoulders and breasts squeezed on his back.

He was swimming while Astrid was admiring view. Waterfall was amazing and she could completely relax because she trusted her man. He won't let her down. Never.

„Come on, let's go sit there." – Astrid pointed on the side of the lake, where the water was shallow.

He was swimming for couple of minutes until they reached desired location. Itachi was first one who sat and Astrid settled herself in his lap, completely ignoring waterfall, water and animals.

They were looking at each other with love and passion. Feeling was mutual and strong.

„Itachi, if you want..."

„Shhh.." – he put one finger on her lips, while trailing down her neck with other. Her skin was soft and warm and he noticed just how sensitive this girl was. He started to plant kisses from her chin to her collarbone, and Astrid closed her eyes, parting lips softly. It was definitely lust. But lust for something which belonged to her, and only to her.

They hugged each other. Warm feeling of two collided bodies was now floating in the air, complementing the silence.

After five minutes, she moved five inches away so he could have better view of her naked body.

„All of this belong to you, Itachi. Do whatever you want with me. I'm completely yours." – she wispered, letting him feel her once again. He lightly squeezed her breast while closing his eyes.

„I want you now more than I ever do. This feeling.. I finally get to know you, fully. And I'm glad. You are my person, Astrid. I'm sure." – he took her by the waist, putting her head on his chest.

„I'm not good in this, as you could see.. But with you, it's natural. It's like you saw me naked ten thousand times before. There is no shyness. Maybe that's what they call love. I don't know."

„I'll tell you the truth.. I don't want to sleep with you. Not yet. I want to enjoy in your body like it was some scuplture. I want to touch you and feel you. So you don't have to be shy, just be yourself, like you were today. I'm amazed. You must be some godess."

She smiled, resting her head on his chest. When she will be able to please him? The truth was, she was scared, so she didn't do anything. It seemed like Itachi was pleased enough.