Please see first chapter for disclaimer, rating, warnings, pairings, etc.

Special Thanks: goes out to PrettyInPink, Darkrai, and rao hyuga 18 for all your encouraging reviews! Also thanks to everyone who put this on your alert and fave lists, you all are so amazing and supportive, and I appreciate you all!

Author's Note: I really enjoyed writing this chapter because there is so much Itachi/Temari interaction, plus I got to work in a lot of detail about the Titanic. Again, I tried to keep from going too technical on you guys and boring you half to death. I hope succeded! Thanks for reading, and I hope you enjoy this update!

*~Chapter V~*

~Distance~

Thursday, April 11, 1912 - 7:45 P.M.

Itachi knew the moment he saw his father's face things weren't going to go nearly as smoothly as he'd been hoping. But he swallowed back his misgivings, looked down at Temari and smiled at her reassuringly. "Father, Mother, Sasuke, this is Miss Temari Sabaku."

Temari, still clinging to his arm as if he was the only thing holding her in place, peered at his family through her lashes. Itachi hoped his family would see the same things in her he had, but the look on Fugaku's face did not bode well.

For a moment, Itachi stood nervously while his family just stared at Temari. He was beginning to get concerned, but then Mikoto got to her feet and came toward them with a wide smile, and he was able to let out his breath. At least one of his parents seemed to approve of Temari; then again, his mother would probably be happy if Itachi brought home a mermaid. She was just so desperate for her son to find someone and be happy that she didn't seem to care what the girl looked like or did.

"It's so lovely to meet you, Temari," Mikoto said, instantly drawing Temari into a hug. Behind her, the expression on Fugaku's face got darker and increasingly disapproving. "I've so been hoping Itachi would find someone-"

He could practically feel the heat rising in Temari's face to match the color flooding his own. He opened his mouth to interrupt his mother, something he would never do ordinarily, but then Sasuke appeared next to her. He slid his arm around his mother's shoulders and kissed her on her cheek, effectively cutting her off mid-thought, and smiled at Temari. "Also a pleasure," he said, bowing slightly. His dark eyes cut to Itachi, and the elder brother caught the gleam of amusement in those eyes - even if he would get questioned to death later, at least he had an ally in his younger brother now. "My brother has spoken of nothing other than you since our accidental run-in this morning." He smiled his roguish, winning smile, which thankfully seemed to put Temari more at ease.

"It's nice to make your acquaintance," Temari replied, bobbing a slight curtsy. Her anxious turquoise eyes darted toward the last member of their party, then quickly away. It made Itachi furious, the way his father made no attempt to hide his animosity. Itachi's hand hidden by a fold of his coat clenched into a fist.

"It's almost time for the evening meal," Mikoto remarked, still seeming oblivious to her husband's silent fury. "Shall we head in that direction?"

Before any of them could make a move, Fugaku spoke. "Itachi. I need to speak with you." The implied now hung heavily in the air between the two men, ratcheting up the tension in the air another few notches.

Sasuke cleared his throat and grinned again, the smile never reaching his eyes. "Ladies?" He offered one arm to his mother, the other to Temari, as suave as any other gentleman in the room. Mikoto laughed nervously and took her younger son's arm. Itachi squeezed Temari's hand reassuringly before letting her go. "It's all right," he said softly. "You can trust Sasuke. I'll be along in only a moment, I promise."

Temari gave a jerky nod, then drew in a deep breath and turned away. Only a brief second passed, but he saw her undergo a sort of transformation - an easy smile curled her lips, her shoulders straightened, and her head lifted. Her suddenly regal bearing made Itachi realize this was no ordinary woman - she was high-born, though she had obviously fallen on hard times. It made him all the more fascinated by her.

As soon as Sasuke and the ladies had exited the lounge, Itachi turned his cool gaze on his father. "Yes, Father?"

Fugaku took two steps forward so he was right in his son's face. Fortunately there were few left in the room, and most of them were leaving, so not much attention was paid to the man as he hissed, "What are you thinking, Itachi? Are you even thinking? She's not our kind! Are you trying to destroy everything I've worked so hard to build for our family? For you?"

"Not at all," Itachi replied, trying to remain calm. "I do not know if you noticed or not, but as Temari left, her bearing was not that of a low-class woman. She is high-born, just fallen on hard times. Or have you so soon forgotten our own humble roots?" He nearly bit his tongue after those last words escaped his lips, but he refused to recall them. His father was doing something he had once detested so strongly, and it rubbed his elder son the wrong way.

Dark eyes narrowing in obvious anger, Fugaku grabbed Itachi's arm and shook him slightly. "I refuse to let you speak to me in that way," he said. "And I refuse to allow you to ruin us. She may stay with us for this evening, but only because you have already brought her up here and caused a scene, so it would be suspicious if she suddenly vanished. But once you escort her back down to third class later, I want her to stay there, where she belongs, and you to stay here, where you belong. Is that clear?"

"It would be, Father. But Temari is not from third class. She is from second." A sense of triumph shot through Itachi's chest at the look of shock on Fugaku's face. It gave him the opening he needed to twist deftly away from his father's grip and turn toward the door. "Now, shall we head for the dining saloon before we are late for the meal?"

Despite the icy gaze on his back, Itachi felt satisfied as he made his way through the labyrinth of halls toward the dining saloon, fortunately not too far away from the lounge. In practically no time he caught up with his brother, mother, and Temari. He found them engaged in conversation with a man Itachi recognized as Thomas Andrews, the esteemed personage who had designed the Titanic.

"I would be happy to give you a tour tomorrow," Mr. Andrews was saying in his soft brogue as Itachi approached.

Sasuke's expression visibly brightened. "I would enjoy that very much," he said politely. "And I was also wondering if I could ask you a few questions about its design and how it's run, too?" He looked like a hopeful little boy. Itachi had to bite the inside of his mouth to keep from laughing at him as he picked up Temari's hand and once again slid it into the crook of his elbow.

"Of course," Mr. Andrews said, nodding to Sasuke. Then he turned to Itachi and smiled in his usual friendly manner. "Mr. Uchiha."

"Mr. Andrews," Itachi returned. "This is indeed a beautiful ship you have built us." The words were not said with idle flattery, but true in every sense. The Titanic was like nothing the world had ever seen, and he knew he had not even seen half of it.

At Itachi's praise, the Irishman's smile turned shy, though his eyes glowed happily. "I was just saying to your mother and brother that I would be glad to escort them on a private tour of Titanic tomorrow," he said. "I certainly hope that you and your lady will join us?" His eyes drifted to Temari, smile still firmly in place.

Itachi very carefully ignored his father's glare drilling into his back as he smiled and looked to Temari. "Miss Sabaku?" he asked softly.

She swallowed hard, cheeks flushed a beautiful shade of rose, then smiled and nodded. "I'd like that," she half-whispered. "Thank you."

"Then it's settled!" Mr. Andrews smiled and nodded decisively. "I shall meet you here after breakfast, then?"

After a murmur of agreement went through the group, Mr. Andrews excused himself and moved away. Itachi watched Temari out of the corner of his eye as they made their way further into the saloon. "I'm glad you agreed to come," he said. "I'll enjoy spending more time with you."

Temari's blush intensified a little. "I must admit, I am curious about the Titanic," she said. "What bit of it I've seen has amazed me. I know there's so much more. And I'm grateful to him for inviting me, and you for including me."

They approached their table. Itachi cautiously looked around to see who was joining them tonight. He indentified John Jacob Astor and his wife Madeleine, neither of whom would look down on Temari; Margaret Brown, the other "new money" aboard, who would help to make Temari comfortable; Thomas Andrews; and, rounding out the group, J. Bruce Ismay, the head of the White Star line: ostensibly on the Titanic as a regular passenger, though Itachi had his own private thoughts on the matter. Ismay was the only one who concerned Itachi, but since he sat at the other end of the table, it seemed unlikely he would even be in a position to say anything to Temari. He relaxed after assisting Temari into her seat between himself and Mrs. Brown.

"And who's this lovely little lady?" Mrs. Brown asked, smiling widely at Temari and then Itachi.

"Itachi invited her to dinner without asking or thinking about what disruptions he would be making," Fugaku remarked snidely as he assisted Mikoto into her seat.

"The more the merrier!" Molly objected cheerfully, without removing her gaze from Temari.

"Temari Sabaku," Temari said softly, her expression caught somewhere between panic and politeness.

"It's a pleasure to meet you. I'm Margaret Brown, but you can call me Molly."

With relief Itachi saw he had calculated correctly. Molly treated Temari with the same open, unaffected manner she used with anyone else at the table. "It's nice to see you again," he remarked to Molly as he settled into his own chair. "We ran into each other in Egypt," he told Temari. "We were both vacationing there at the same time."

"So many interesting things! I think I'll go back sometime in the future." Molly held up her glass as a waiter came by with a bottle of chilled wine.

"I liked Italy," Mikoto mentioned. "It was so romantic." She sent a meaningful look in Fugaku's direction that everyone else tastefully pretended not to see.

Across the table, Sasuke leaned over to ask Mr. Andrews a question. Instantly the two men became involved in a conversation full of steel beams, iron plating, rivets, and steam engines. Itachi smiled into his wine glass, glad to see his brother having such a good time. Bored through most of their vacation, at last he was involved in something he so obviously enjoyed.

As the various people at the table settled into their own conversations after the first course was served, Molly turned back to Temari and Itachi. "So, how did you two meet?"

Temari once again turned pink. Itachi cleared his throat as he set down his fork. "Here on Titanic," he said. "I accidentally ran into her."

Touching her napkin to her lips, Temari laughed softly, a nice sound deep yet still distinctly feminine, sending good chills down Itachi's spine. "What Mr. Uchiha is too kind to say, I was in a hurry and I nearly knocked him over in my rush."

Molly chuckled. "Honesty is the best policy," she remarked. "This one's a keeper, Itachi."

Looking at Temari out of the corner of his eyes, he smiled though he did not respond aloud. I know. Once again he could feel Fugaku's icy glare, but he decided he didn't care. Even though he'd practically just met her, something deep inside him told him she was the one. He didn't know how it would work, but he was confident it would. Now he had met her he wasn't going to let her go.

She must have caught him looking at her, because Temari's cheeks went pink again and she turned her face away. From beneath the edge of the tablecloth, he saw the way she clutched her napkin in her fist, so tightly she'd even caught some of the fabric of her skirt, too. Though her expression was relaxed and her mouth smiling, the tension in every line of her body from her rigid shoulders to her stiff legs indicated her discomfort.

Despite that, though, Itachi knew he was right in thinking Temari no ordinary woman. The way she held herself, how she spoke, the tilt of her chin and the fact she knew the use of every single piece of silverware by her plate without asking - they all painted the picture of a gently bred woman. Since she was traveling in second class, she must have fallen on hard times. But he had no doubts at all: At one point in her life, she had belonged to high society.

As the meal progressed, Temari finally began to relax. Itachi and Molly kept up a constant stream of conversation, including Temari as often as they could in hopes of further putting her at ease. The first time the blonde genuinely laughed at something Mrs. Brown had said, Itachi felt a sense of accomplishment. As she emerged even slightly from her shell, he felt hopeful.

After dessert, most of the men - including Fugaku - excused themselves to head to the first-class gentlemen's smoking room. Itachi's father paused by his son's chair long enough to hiss under his breath, "Take her back. Now!" Then he stood up with a smile and engaged in conversation with John Jacob Astor as the group of men headed for the beautiful doors leading out of the dining saloon.

Itachi stubbornly stayed where he was, listening as Mikoto joined in the conversation with Molly and Temari. Even though the rest of the men, including Mr. Andrews, had left, Sasuke also remained at the table. He lifted his eyebrows slightly at Itachi, an inquisitive motion, and the elder brother tilted his head to the left in response. Immediately Sasuke's brows lowered disapprovingly, just for a moment. He glanced briefly at Temari. His expression cleared just before he nodded, indicating his support of Itachi's endeavors to get closer to Temari, then. The younger Uchiha brother's help would definitely be invaluable.

The hour drew closer to ten o'clock. As Molly and Mikoto discussed the differences and similarities between Egyptian and Italian art styles, Temari leaned over to Itachi and whispered, "I need to get back down to where I belong." She avoided his gaze firmly as she spoke.

"I very seriously doubt you'll turn into a pumpkin if you stay up here," Itachi replied teasingly.

Temari blinked, looking startled at his joke. At first Itachi thought he'd gone too far, but to his relief she eventually smiled, a soft laugh escaping her. "I should certainly hope not. I look terrible in orange."

She made a joke in return! Itachi's heart felt lighter than it had in a long time. If she felt comfortable enough to tease him back, it meant she felt more at ease in his presence. Perhaps Temari didn't trust him completely, but he would have expected no less considering their short acquaintance. But, since he planned to remedy that situation as quickly as possible, he felt heartened by the progress he'd already made.

The first lull in conversation, Temari softly excused herself, claiming tiredness. Itachi followed her example, saying he would escort her back to her room. Mikoto and Molly, now the only two women left at the table, said goodnight to Temari, then began to converse again.

As Itachi and Temari left the dining saloon, Sasuke caught up with them. "I can't believe you were planning to abandon me to the women, Itachi," he complained.

"Are you going to go over to the smoking room?" Itachi paused at the bottom of the Grand Staircase, located on the opposite end of the reception room from the dining saloon.

"Probably not. Mr. Andrews said he'd loan me some of his original drawing plans for the Titanic, so I think I'm going to go back to our room and wait for a steward to bring them over." Sasuke offered a slight wave, then tucked his hands into his pockets and ascended the staircase.

"Your brother really likes mechanical things, doesn't he?" Temari asked softly as the two of them headed around the Grand Staircase, toward the lifts leading closer to second class.

"Ever since he was a child," Itachi agreed as they stepped into one of the grate-covered moving boxes. He told the steward manning the lift where they wanted to go, then returned to his conversation with Temari. "During his childhood, and even into his teens, Sasuke would pick up ordinary things around the house and take them apart to see how they worked. It drove our mother crazy! She was very glad when he finally started putting them back together, too."

Their conversation paused as they exited the lift, then resumed as they made their way down the hall. As they strolled down the area of the ship dubbed "Scotland Road," Itachi glanced down at Temari and asked, "So, do you have any siblings?"

A soft smile curled her shapely pink lips. "Two," she admitted. "Both younger brothers. Kankuro is still in England, but Gaara is going to meet me in America. He's already been there for about two years."

"Long time to live without your relatives," Itachi remarked. "I remember when I left home and went to college. I know that's different, but still..."

Temari shrugged. "In some ways, Gaara's the toughest of all of us. He's got determination, and that's helped. I must admit that it will be nice to know someone when I get to America."

"Well, now you know several people," Itachi replied, smiling. "At least, I'd like to think we'll keep in touch once we leave Titanic."

Once again, that infuriating yet endearingly enigmatic smile curled Temari's lips. "Perhaps," she said vaguely.

The closer they got to second class, the more Itachi began to drag his feet. It was selfish of him, monopolizing this woman's time and energy, but he just didn't want the night to end. Granted, he'd see her again tomorrow for Mr. Andrews's tour of the ship, but the thought of having to be away from her for even a few hours made him feel suddenly quite lonely.

"I don't suppose I could talk you into a quick walk out on the promenade?" Itachi asked, despite his better judgement.

One finely shaped blonde eyebrow arched at him. "In this weather?"

Shrugging uncomfortably, Itachi cleared his throat and avoided her gaze, finding the carpeted floor beneath his feet suddenly very interesting. "It's cold, but clear," he said. "I'll loan you my coat." I'm being absolutely ridiculous. She's going to think I'm an imbecile!

For a long moment, Temari studied him out of the corner of her eye. She finally smiled and nodded. "I don't suppose it will hurt," she said. "I think my wrap will be more than enough, but thank you for your kind offer."

Itachi smiled and guided them through the doorway they'd been approaching, laughing at Temari's look of consternation. "Did you plan this?" she asked.

"No," he said honestly. "But I recognized the door as the one Sasuke and I came through earlier." They ascended and then descended a few staircases, went through another door, and then found themselves in the clear, cold night air. The star-spangled sky reflected in the water below made the horizon unidentifiable.

"It's so beautiful." Temari let go of Itachi's arm and went directly to the rail, gripping it with her gloved hands as she leaned slightly over.

Feeling his stomach do a slow, slightly queasy roll, Itachi hurried forward and hovered behind Temari just in case she leaned over too far. "Be careful," he said.

Loose curls of Temari's gold hair tumbled around her face in the breeze caused by Titanic's swift movement as she glanced over her shoulder at him. "I will be," she said. For a moment a serious look flitted through her eyes, and she looked like she was considering saying something more. But then she smiled again, shook her head, and turned back to the water.

"The view from the first class promenade doesn't look that different from second," Temari said. "Just a little higher, I suppose."

Itachi swallowed back his dinner, which was threatening to revolt, and kept his eyes tilted upwards. As long as he kept looking at the sky, he couldn't see the water. He hoped. "No matter where you look, there's still too much water."

Abandoning the view that had fascinated her only a moment before, Temari spun to look up at Itachi with amazed eyes. "You're afraid of the water?"

Clearing his throat uncomfortably, Itachi squinted up at the stars and shrugged. "I don't like it," he said, though he knew there was no distinction (for him, anyway) between not liking water and being afraid of it. He had a feeling Temari realized that, too. "If I had my way, we'd be able to fly back to America, and never even touch the water. I think it will be possible, someday."

"Flying, hmm?" Looping her arm through his again, Temari carefuly guided him around so they were strolling back down the deck. Itachi swallowed hard, trying to ignore the heat racing through his body, originating from the point where Temari's delicate hand curled around his arm. "I know flying machines exist, but do you really think one can be built that will traverse an entire ocean?"

"Mark my words," Itachi said, trying to sound wise, "someday, perhaps within a few years, flying machines will be making their way back and forth between America and England." He glanced at her out of the corner of his eye. "Who knows? Maybe your other brother Kankuro will come to America on one."

Temari's formerly complacent look changed suddenly. Itachi couldn't identify it, but before he could even try, she pulled away and turned around, returning to her place leaning against the railing. "I hope it won't take that long," she said, her voice so soft it was almost lost in the sound of the wind and the waves crashing against the side of the boat far below.

Once again, Itachi crept his way up behind her, keeping his eyes on the mass of curls secured at the back of her head to keep himself from looking down (down, down, down) at that awful water. Or at other, even more foribidden, things. "What's wrong?" he asked softly.

He saw her hands tighten against the rail as her back and shoulders stiffened. "Nothing." The denial came too quickly.

Sighing, Itachi stuffed his hands in his pockets to keep from reaching out to her. That, he knew, would be a very bad idea, for several different reasons. "I know there's someone else on board looking for you. Hidan." The probe might have been gentler, but he needed to know the situation in order to better protect her.

Temari's head jerked around. She glared at him over her shoulder, her expression sharp, remote, but also with obvious fear in her eyes. He recognized the expression as the same he'd seen there earlier in the day. "How do you know that name?"

Forcing himself to step around her, Itachi leaned against the rail and clutched it with both hands. Once again he turned his gaze upwards, admiring the stars as they sparkled against the velvety black backdrop of the sky. "I ran into the man as I searched for you," he admitted. "He told me your name and showed me a likeness. I recognized you immediately."

She took two steps back, her full attention now on him. "And did you tell him that you knew me?" Her voice, as sharp as her features, dripped with anger and bravado probably meant to hide her fear.

Itach quickly turned back from the railing to face her. Without taking even a step closer to her, he met her gaze squarely as he slowly shook his head. "No," he said softly. "I didn't."

Obviously, that surprised her. She blinked. "Why not?"

"For several reasons. Because I've seen his kind before. Because he gave me the shivers which lingered long after I left his presence; in fact, I can still feel those slimy fingers wrapping around mine in a handshake I didn't want to submit to. And because I saw the shape of what I'm sure is a gun under his jacket."

Temari let out her breath in a long sigh, her shoulders relaxing slightly with the release. "It's a silver gun, with a red-painted engraving on either side of the barrel reading, For the Betterment of Mankind."

Itachi blinked in surprise of his own. "You've seen it?"

She offered him a wry smile, more a twist of her lips, her eyes as hard as stones. "I've had it pointed at me before."

Indescribable anger and hatred suddenly flashed through Itachi. "No possible reason ever justifies a man pointing a weapon at a lady," he grated.

Again, Temari looked surprised at the vehemence of his outburst. "He apparently thought so. Besides, it wasn't entirely his decision, but by order of his employer, like almost everything else he does." She sighed, rubbing her hands up and down her arms as if suddenly cold. "He possesses a horridly foul mouth, an insatiable lust for blood, and thinks every woman in sight should instantly succumb to his 'charm.' He terrifies me, and so does his employer."

"You're running from them." Itachi said it as a statement rather than a question as pieces of the puzzle started to fall into place, painting an unpleasant picture.

"Yes," Temari responsed just as frankly. "For many reasons."

This time Itachi did move toward her, though he stopped outside her personal space. "Do you want to tell me why?"

Just like that, all the progress he'd made in such a remarkably short time came undone. Her expression and eyes went cool and wary right before she turned away. "It's been a very pleasant evening, but I'd like to return to my room now."

Itachi bit the inside of his lip to keep from laughing at her suddenly imperious tone. If that didn't prove her to be of gentle birth... "All right." Grasping her hand again, he ignored her stiffness as he slid it into the crook of his arm and turned them back toward the entrance into the warmth of the ship. "Will you join my family and me for breakfast before the tour in the morning?"

"Tour? Oh." Temari nodded once, thoughtfully. "I suppose it would be more expedient that way. So you won't have to come all the way down to second class, then back up to first to meet Mr. Andrews."

"It's not so far," Itachi said mildly. "Besides, I shall come get you before breakfast and escort you up to first class myself." I can't entrust your safety to anyone else.

He sensed her bristle slightly. "By morning I might not wish to go on this tour, let alone to breakfast in a place I don't belong."

Itachi waited until they passed through the door into the ship's interior and returned by way the staircases leading them to Scotland Road again before replying. "Hidan is confined to second and third class," he said. "Plus the more time you spend in first class, the less you'll have to spend in your cabin, by yourself."

"And what makes you think I don't want to be alone?" She declined his proffered arm, looking at him steadily as they walked.

"I don't think anyone really wants to be alone." Itachi let his lips tilt upwards in a smile. "And, besides, I really enjoy your company. I like to think you enjoy mine, too."

Temari didn't respond, but smiled ever-so-slightly. When they finally reached the door to her stateroom, she nodded affirmatively when Itachi told her he'd come for her in the morning, then accepted his kiss on the back of her hand before she went inside.

Itachi kept his thoughts reined firmly in to prevent getting lost again between Temari's room and his. As soon as the door to his and Sasuke's stateroom closed behind him, he saw his younger brother sitting crosslegged on his bed, a snowstorm of papers unfurled across his legs and the mattress.

"I'm surprised you're not asleep." Itachi yanked at the knot on his tie, scowling when it refused to come undone.

"Hn," Sasuke said distractedly. "I want to look these over before the tour in the morning. I've got so many questions I want to ask him."

Smothering his smile at his brother's enthusiasm, Itachi finally got his tie to cooperate. Pulling it off, he let out a breath of relief and soon divested himself of jacket, vest, shoes, and suspenders as well. Unbuttoning his pristine white shirt, he moved to the wardrobe and opened the doors so he could hang up his clothes. "I'm concerned."

As he'd expected, that drew Sasuke's attention. "About what?"

"More whom," Itachi said, hanging up his jacket. Though his father had offered to help him find a valet among their sizeable staff, he'd always preferred taking care of his own clothes. "Miss Sabaku."

"Ah." Sasuke nodded wisely. "There's something not quite right with her."

"She's being chased across the Atlantic by a man with a gun. I should think that would be enough to put just about anyone out of sorts." Itachi finished taking off and hanging up his eveningwear. Putting on his pajamas he flipped his dark ponytail out from beneath the collar before tugging out the band holding it back.

Pushing away all the papers, Sasuke got to his feet, a concerned expression on his face. "Is she running from the law?"

"If Hidan works for the law, I'm a stable boy," Itachi said irritably. "She won't talk to me about it."

Turning back to his bed, undoubtedly to hide a smile of his own (Sasuke always liked seeing his brother out of sorts, since it didn't happen too often), the younger Uchiha began gathering up the papers strewn across his mattress. Tying pieces of twine around them after rolling them up, he said, "Think she might not trust you?"

"Unfortunately, she doesn't as much as I would like." Tucking his hands behind his head, Itachi stared up at the ceiling as he listened to Sasuke rustling papers and mumbling to himself. "If what I suspect is anything close to the truth, it's really no wonder. But still - how can I protect her if she doesn't choose to confide in me?"

Sasuke dropped all the papers onto the desk in the corner and muttered something about a steward and Mr. Andrews. As he began stripping off the parts of his own eveningwear he'd not already discarded around the space, he said, "At least you'll be able to be with her for a while tomorrow. She's still coming on the tour of the ship, right?"

Itachi closed his eyes and sighed tiredly. "As of when I left her at her room a few minutes ago, yes. I even managed to talk her into having breakfast with us."

Laughing, Sasuke hung his slightly crooked jacket and pants in his own wardrobe, then flopped down onto his still-made, albeit now messy, bed. "Then there's nothing to worry about, right?" Reaching over, he adjusted the temperature on the space heater between their beds; bounced up again long enough to hit the switch for the electric lights before lying down again, this time underneath his blankets. "Good night, Itachi."

"Good night, Sasuke." Despite the fact his brother quickly fell asleep, Itachi lay awake long into the night, his mind occupied with suspicions, concerns, and a pair of beautiful, albeit frightened, turquoise eyes.

*~To Be Continued~*

Author's Ending Notes: Another thing I'm enjoying about this story, like my other ongoing project Labyrinth, is writing Itachi and Sasuke's interaction. I love working with their characters in an enviornment where the Uchiha massacre never happened. Anyway, back on track: I really hope you all enjoyed this chapter, thank you so much for reading, and I'll see you in the next update!