Hah! This would be the last story and I would've updated all of my stories and on top of that, add a brand new story! WINNING! Lol. Anyways, The people who keep their eyes on my stories have hopefully noticed how my writing style has changed… And hopefully it's a good kind of change. Anyways, I won't stop updating after this! Cuz I'm cool like that ;D Anyways, Let me get on with our lovely chapter 8! Enjoy, please~

Chapter 8

A few days had passed swiftly by from the day that Hinata first met the entire group known as the Akatsuki. Already, she was given teachings by each of her teammates, most of the help being on gunnery. Hinata had exactly no experience when handling a gun and she surely was afraid of firing one off. But with a little help from Itachi and Deidara, she was off to a good start.

"Come on, Hinata. Is it really that scary to shoot a piece of paper?"

Itachi gave a questioning but irritated glare towards the Hyuuga as she stood with shaking hands, looking at the paper man that was pinned across the room on an opposite wall. Deidara gave a long sigh and pressed his hand against his forehead, about ready to give up for that day. Hinata could see how troubled they were with her fear to shoot but it wasn't her fault. Guns were bad. Kitties were good. Those were her morals before she entered the Akatsuki and obviously, that wasn't good. Hinata didn't have a problem aiming or seeing where she was to hit, it was just the simple fact of pulling the trigger. One pull and you could instantly end someone's life. That is what made Hinata so nervous handling guns.

"Hinata-chan… Why don't we just call it a day, yeah?"

Hinata narrowed her eyes to herself at the signs of weakness she was showing. It disgusted her. And if she was to properly be a part of this organization than she had to pass her fears and her comfort zone. She had to be daring like her little sister. Yes, daring was the word.

Easily ignoring the words that Deidara said, she narrowed her lilac eyes and glared hard at the paper man, focusing herself and finally pulling the trigger that kept her so on edge. The force of the shot cause Hinata's hands to shoot back only slightly and the sound shot through the room, causing both Itachi and Deidara to instantly stare at the paper man. They both glanced at the hole on the paper man and were surprised to see that the bullet had been shot directing in the middle of the head.

"Good aim, Hinata. Tomorrow, we shall move forward."

Hinata held a happy smile as she watched Itachi disappear and looked back to Deidara who gave a smirk. He ruffled her hair and chuckled as he pulled her along, feeling pleased that Hinata had finally shot after the last two days. As the two followed the older Uchiha, they stepped into a van that Itachi normally drove and sat in the back, Hinata and Deidara sitting in the seats. The back of the van had seats that went vertical along the car inner wall instead of going horizontal and a few crates hung in the corner. As Itachi drove, Deidara took the time to actually talk to Hinata. He asked her different questions like how it was to be a rich kid. Of course, Hinata didn't like thinking of herself as a rich kid. It was true that she held the glorious name, Hyuuga, but it didn't mean anything, did it? Deidara continued to bother her with meaningless questions that began to lower her mood. Man, was Deidara one oblivious blonde fucker.

"That's enough, Deidara. Can't you tell you're making Hinata uncomfortable? Really, who asks someone what coloured underwear do they usually wear?"

Itachi eyes the rearview mirror and glared as Deidara glared back with his one sparkling eye. Glancing back to Hinata, he frowned and apologized, not realizing that he did indeed make her feel uncomfortable. She shrugged it off and soon she was saying goodbye to him as they reached his home.

Once Deidara was gone, Hinata hopped to the front seat, deciding it was best to keep Itachi company even if he wasn't one who needed anything. "S-So, Itachi-san,
W-What k-kind of m-missions do t-the Akatsuki d-do…?"

Curiosity lingered in Hinata's words as she looked up to him with her child-like eyes. He kept his red ones on the road and thought of what he could tell her. Really, what could he? She was already in the group so soon enough she was going to find out but telling it to her face was difficult. Being blunt wasn't something Itachi struggled with but what could he say? He got a bit flustered when being close to the small female. He merely shrugged his shoulders and continued to drive, not being able to find the right words.

"You'll find out when we have your first mission. Of course, people go on missions according to their age and how experienced they are. Meaning ranks, and you, Hinata, are at the very bottom. Do not worry, though. You'll get better, I'm sure."

Hinata was a bit shocked at first but she gave a sweet smile as she heard Itachi's mild but comforting words. Peering out the window, Hinata noticed large drops of rain began to splat on the window. They grew close to the Uchiha Manor and Hinata didn't mind being there one bit. She was given a largely well room that was good enough to fit a princess… And everyone was so nice. Of course, there was the occasional bitterness towards Sasuke but surely, all was well. She was a bit nervous about having to live with the two older men but they did nothing that would put her in danger. She was just nervous around them for 1. Being male, and 2. Being some of the most attractive boys in her entire school. Oh, how she was going to hear hell about how she was now spending her days in the household of the Uchiha.
Hinata was awoken from her train of thought as the car halted to a stop and she was stepping out of the van with Itachi. She hurriedly walked to the door to avoid the rain and stood underneath, waiting for Itachi since he was taking his sweet time. He smirked and unlocked the door, allowing Hinata in first. Hinata slid off her shoes and Itachi did the same, calling out inside the home and not being surprised to get no response.

"It seems that we're the only ones here, Hinata. Is there anything you'd like…?"

She gave a courteous shake of the head and silently made her way towards the kitchen, pulling ingredients out to make something. Of course, Hinata would not ask Itachi if he could make her food because it simply went against her morals. She was happy making her own meals so there was no problem with him just watching her in interest. She blushed as Itachi followed and sat at the counter, watching her with cat-like eyes.

Something sweet…

That's exactly what she wanted. Something to soothe her taste buds. She smiled cheekily as she thought of the perfect sweet to make for that evening. Dango! It was perfect when properly made and she was definitely one to know how to correctly construct something as simple as Dango. So that was what was meant to be made.
Pulling out the ingredients, Hinata got to work and Itachi only watched longer and eyes her as she would do cute quirky things that made her, her. As she steamed the Dango balls, she gave a soft hum and began to stir the sticky syrup that topped the Dango perfectly. Itachi enjoyed seeing Hinata like this… Having fun with something she was obviously good at. And although it was a secret, the glories Itachi Uchiha also had a sweet tooth and Dango happened to be his favorite. He hoped dearly that she would offer some to him.

"Okies, I-Itachi-san… I've finished. W-Would you like to be the first to taste? I-I want to know i-if I did o-okay…"

Itachi gave a curt nod even though he was eager and slightly curious to taste her creation and she happily skewered the balls of Dango, drizzling the sticky sweet sauce on top and handed him his Dango. He peered down to it and ate one, chewing on it thoughtfully as the flavors mixed together in his mouth.

Delicious, as he guessed.

He gave a nod to Hinata in approval and continued to eat, causing Hinata to giggle and get one for herself. She bit into it and gave a soft squeal of happiness as the taste vibrantly made itself noticed in her mouth. The two sat in silence and quietly ate their Dango, Itachi asking for another but Hinata telling him to wait for the others. Hinata eyed Itachi curiously and gave a soft giggle as she noticed the small pout that formed. He quickly turned his head in a moment of flush and Hinata only smiled more, standing up and cleaning around the kitchen. For being one tiny girl, she really did make quite a mess when she was… erm… Inspired?

"Thank you, Hinata. The Dango was truly delicious…"

"D-Dun m-mention it, Itachi-s-san."

Itachi gave a soft sigh and walked toward her, lifting her chin lightly so she forcefully stared into his raging crimson eyes. Her face grew dark red and Itachi wore a smirk, speaking in his lovely voice.

"We're going to have to work on that stuttering too, huh? A Hyuuga such as yourself shouldn't stutter. You have so much to represent when in front of the real world."

Of course Hinata knew about this. Her father only lectured about how she carried herself and the Hyuuga name. It had gotten quite annoying and to hear this from an Uchiha had made her even more annoyed. They were the ones who were the only challenge to the Hyuuga's. So in turn, the two clans didn't get too well along because of the little quarrels they often went through. Hinata lightly pushed his hand away and decided to change the topic, trying to not stutter for the sake of her embarrassment.

"Itachi-san… Why do you… not tell me a-about the type of missions we get?" Hinata was honestly curious but this sort of just popped up. Itachi stood up straight and coughed nervously, struggling for words once again. She tilted her head to the side and continued to talk.

"Please tell me t-the truth."

Itachi gave a troubled sigh and peered down to his hand, opening it at first to stare at the palm but then closing it in mild anger.

"Hinata… We're… Criminals."

Dear Readers,

So, Sooo? Was it worth the wait or did I fail super hard? Tell me through my reviews, please! I'm happy that people have taken such a liking to this story… Anyways, good bye for now! I shall update the other fanfic soon. I promise :O!

-Akumu-chama