yay ashley kept her word!

I think... has it been a week or am I a couple days off?

o.o

anyways...

~gives everyone who reviewed a gift basket filled with japanese candies

and AKATSUKI PLUSHES (all characters-SQUEALLLL)~

hehe there ya go!

OHOHOHOH

and when you're done, please read the note at the bottom of the page because I

REALLY

need help.

(:

ENjoy!

~~Ashley~~

STILL Itachi's POV:

When we reached the front of the cave, the half of the massive boulder that had been carved out on the side facing into the cave seemed to bough outwards, almost as if we were in a bubble. (ya know? like... if you were standing in this bubble and u looked forward it would bough out like ( that kinda 0.o xD)

Kisame placed his palm over a small rock jutting out from the boulder's wall, and when he applied his chakra, I watched intently through my Sharingan, seeing his chakra flow up through the boulder itself, unlocking a series of conveniently placed circuits which in turn made the boulder spit down the middle. Kisame kept his chakra flowing until a big enough crack was presented for us to walk through, and then he retracted his hand to idly stroke at the handle of his Samehada.

I strode through the opening in the rock, followed by Kisame, and immediately applied chakra to my feet as I stepped onto the rive that flowed through the canyon that surrounded our base.

Once the crack was closed, we ended up jumping to the canyon wall, jumping from rock to rock as we basically hiked one of the trails that, given how many times we left and entered the base, were common enough. Soon enough, we were on flat ground, and I flattened my hair after a light breeze brushed my bangs across my face.

We set out at an easy pace, walking among the grass and trees, listening for any possible signs of threats along the way.

Time skip!

toooo... the sake bar

cuzzz I don't really wanna explain the boring treck to it T.T

The soft tang of the drink flowed down my throat smoothly in one sip. Sake's taste is sweet and sour; gentle yet rough, a combination most ninjas search for after a hard mission or day. Kisame had been slurping quietly next to me for about five minutes now, his eyes hazy; I figured he was going over what he wished to say to me in his head during that time.

My mesh shirt moved smoothly with me as I set the cup back down-empty, now. The waitress-her eyes were brown, and they roved over me in ways that stirred my distaste-poured me some more from a bottle before handing the rest to me. I thanked her with my eyes, just barely resisting the urge to summon my Sharingan to the surface.

Together, Kisame and I set down our cups with a soft clink on the table, and he lolled his head to one side, cracking his neck as his eyes roved about the room-searching, always searching. I silently kept my own thoughts in line, making sure they didn't stray to things that were off the obvious topic of our upcoming discussion.

After taking another swig of sake, Kisame finally uttered in a husky voice,"We're training her in swords, first."His voice held and air of authority-he wasn't going to budge on this one, and I watched him out of the corner of my eye before I asked,"Why?" "She needs to learn better control-swords will help mold that, by making her go after specific objects and inflicting slight wounds first. Ahh, hell, you know the rest," he slurred, baring his shark-like teeth in a grimace before resuming his drinking.

I suppose it made sense, though, considering that if we were to tell her to hit specific points, she would have to control how lightly or harshly she held the blade, and how she directed it. It would also help because the chakra energy she had within her would be molded-just as Kisame had said-when she was wielding that blade to inflict the cuts on the dummy we would set up, because the energy she used would have to be controlled to make those light or harsh cuts.

Basically, I could see his point, and so I nodded as an image of her coming at me with harsh resolve in her eyes as she struck the blade down at her opponent flashed across my eyes. I'll admit, that sent an icy shiver down my back-when we were done with her and she was the ninja we taught her to be, she'd be a lethal little thing. I fought off a smirk, and my pride, and then another question struck a chord in me.

"So, are we going to let her use your sword, or... mine?" I asked, becoming troubled-she couldn't use Kisame's sword because it's chakra only obeyed him, and she couldn't use mine because it answered to my beck and call as well. It wouldn't take lightly to having her wield it.

Kisame considered the question for a moment before he relented,"Sometime tomorrow, I'd actually like to take her to one of the Seven Swordsmen's properties-they make some of the best swords around, and it should be easy to find one she likes. I'll pull some strings with the boss, and then we can begin." I thought about the question as my eyes roved the place again-sliding over drunken men and women lolling about, and not catching any hint at a threat. Finally, I nodded once more and stood, laying down some cash for the waitress as I told Kisame,"I'm heading back, I'll see you at dawn." It wasn't a request-but more of a command.

His eyes watched me leave, showing his quiet consent as I stepped out into the now fading rays of sunlight. The sunset reminded me of the one a few days ago where Ashley had told me to make a wish on the first star of the night.

I still had no idea what to wish for. Not one idea sprang to mind as I faded among the shadows-taking the quiet route back to the base. Thankfully, I didn't encounter anyone else as I sprang from tree to tree lazily-I was in no hurry to get back. My apprentice was safe, my partner was pretty much capable of killing anything on site, and everything else seemed fine. So, I let myself enjoy a little alone time-jumping down from one tree and strolling along a path as the night set in.

The stars glinted slightly as I walked, watching them and listening for approaching threats. Satisfied when I found none for a while, I let myself relax slightly, blending into the night easily.

When I got back to the base, I put my guard back up and entered the cave silently-eying the statue warily before I encountered the door. I opened it slowly and was met with only Kakuzu, Zetsu, and Tobi still in the living room watching Tv on the couch. Kakuzu nodded to me before turning back to the Tv, while Tobi exclaimed while flailing his arms wildly,"Itachi-sempai! You're back!" Apparently he was still suffering from Raylin's accidental blow to his sensitive area, because when he was done, he made a groaning sound and keeled over again. I tried not to laugh as I gave Zetsu and amusing nod and moved towards the hallway, asking only,"Have the others retired?" "Pretty much," his light side replied, as his dark side grumbled his quiet agreement.

I gave an appreciative look and passed through the arch, catching the soft snores of Deidara and Hidan down the hallway as I turned to my bedroom door. As I grabbed the doorknob, I paused, wondering what I'd find once I entered the room again. I figured Ashley would still be asleep, considering how wiped she had looked, but as I pushed the door open and peaked in, I wasn't prepared for what I saw.

She was awake, that was very apparent as her eyes slid over to me lazily, tiredly, from where she laid in the middle of her bed, her legs curled slightly to her as her back rested on the pillows. She was playing with a strand of her bangs as her eyes drooped slightly. I gave her a soft smile as I closed the door behind me, trying desperately to ignore the shock that was flowing throughout my body now. Not to mention I had to try and fight off the assortment of images that flashed through my mind.

Oi, contain yourself, she's tired, you're tired, tomorrow's going to be a long day, I thought as I moved to my side of the bed, stripping off my mesh shirt, tank-top, and sandals; I wasn't in the mood for a shower, I wanted to be able to relax again.

I crawled in next to her-noting with a tinge of amusement the way she moved slowly to give me room, turning over onto her stomach. I was glad she'd kept her word, since I'd figured she would, since she hadn't disobeyed my wishes yet.

I draped the covers over myself-thanking whatever higher power there was for the warmth it held-and laid on my side, watching her. She stared back, and I tried not to smile, she was so... cute. The way her cheek was nestled into the pillow, and how her left hand was curled up to her chest made me picture a small child, and I felt my protective side setting in as I kept an eye on her. I couldn't look away if I tried as she closed her eyes for a moment, before opening them once more and giving me a look that I perceived as wanting me to get my translator.

After leaning over and fumbling through my cloak pocket, I withdrew the translator and held it out top her. She spoke so softly that the translator barely caught it before she slipped into sleep,"I told you I'd be right here when you got back."

Alright, I admit it, I couldn't fight the full smile that time.

Ashley's POV:

(BTW, this is like.. the next day xD again) Itachi's breathing right in my ear was what woke me up that morning, but I didn't mind. No, quite the opposite in fact, considering that once I opened my eyes, I noticed how close I really was. My head rested in the crook of his arm-which constricted around my waist like a viper constricts around its prey- and one of my arms rested on his chest, the other was asleep.

I'll say it flat out: I didn't want to move, and not just because I was in the arms of a dangerous murderer, but more because he looked so...peaceful, in sleep. His eyelids were draped peacefully over his eyes, and his face was so relaxed that I wouldn't have recognized the regular Itachi. This one looked younger... happier, in sleep. I tried to resist the urger to brush his bangs back from his face-remembering that if I did, bad things could happen. Very, very bad things. (Ooh kinkeh ;D hahaha! Kidding!)

So I let myself mold back into him, wondering what time it was-figuring it was early, but then again, you never know when you're stuck in the recesses of a cave in a room with no windows. I had to try and tame the flashes that shot up and down my back while I closed my eyes and tried to catch a few more hours of sleep.

I faded in and out of the darkness that is sleep until I felt Itachi stir next to me.

Itachi's POV: (again.. xD)

I woke up around dawn, and had to try very hard not to flinch when I found my left arm cinched around Ashley's waist. Gah, it's bad enough I have to contain myself when I'm awake, but when I'm asleep I end up doing things I haven't even considered! I mental yelled at myself before rubbing my forehead, Ahh, oh well, it doesn't mean anything anyways. I hoped...

I slowly retracted my arm as I moved to get out of bed, trying not to wake her until I found that she was already awake. Very awake, actually, as she opened her eyes and watched me freeze. I gave her an apologetic look before I caught myself again.

Apologetic was not in my vocabulary.

But instead of making my face a stoic mask like usual, I found myself watching her eyes closely-watching the way they glittered slightly in the darkness, like black orbs littered with stars. It took a lot of me to pull away, but I did eventually and went to my closet, stowing my clothes from yesterday in a hamper in the bathroom as I entered with what I was to wear today.

I dressed carefully-today we'd be going about as far away as the Leaf village, only in the opposite direction, and also to a place that held enemies that were worthy opponents. I vaguely figured this wouldn't be a day trip-it could take a while, depending on if we even find a sword that she'll like. She didn't look like the type to pick simple things, no matter how innocent I sometimes deemed she was.

Cue another round of why's entering my mind as I strapped a pack of kunai to my waist, then threw on a black t-shirt. I grabbed my usual gray armor and strapped it on over the shirt, depositing my sword in it's scabbard and laying the strap across my chest, letting it rest against my back.

Once I was done, I draped my cloak around me and slid on my sandals, before I left and found Ashley fully dressed in a pair of black shorts and a black shirt. Her hair hung down in a golden curtain as she brushed it out.

I had to ignore the pull to her that suddenly overcame me, and the images that followed.

WOOOO

sorry for the cliffy...

but isn't it just cute?

haha

and OHOHOHOHOH

TO MY FOLLOWERS (besides the squirrels):

I have a propositions, since the next chappie is CHAPTER 10 OMG

-anyways-

i was wondering what you guys wanted me to do-like...

I could keep it the same and just post the next chapter...

or I could do a really random chapter

Itachi: idk if that's such a-

Me: SILENCE.

Itachi: o.o -.- no.

Me: ~pout~

Itachi: ...

ANYWAYS,

yeah-and you guys get to pick what to do in said chapter if you pick randomness, so yeah

and you also get cookies if you tell me what you want (:

because i love you all.

~Ashleyyyyyyy