Itachi bowed gracefully on his knees in front of Pein for the first time in years. They were past old formalities. Yet Itachi was asking a favor of him. He was asking him to take Amai away for the weekend.

"So you're telling me you're taking Amai up to some little secluded house in the middle of nowhere, to train her for her assassin position here?" Pein's face was skeptical.

"Yes." Itachi answered not quite desperate enough to use the "Lord Pein" card. Itachi tensed as silence answered him. His heart beat hard as it stretched on. But he chose not to abandon his full on bow.

"Alright." Pein finally said. Struggling to contain the emotions flooding him, he rose and bowed respectfully.

"We will leave tonight. There is no moon and the cover of darkness is an advantage." Itachi said before leaving. Abandoning all respect he all but ran to his room to whisk Amai away to the best weekend of his life.

Once he was in the room he tried not to look at Amai's wide eyes, for fear she would make him nervous.

"Well we should pack." He stated flatly and let a small smile come to his lips. Just for her. She smiled back and set his nerves at ease.

He looked at her as she whirled around the room packing things for them. She seemed all the more lovely as he thought of what he'd be taking from her. It was his and it was only a further declaration of emotions he felt for her. He'd had it before but none had felt special in the least. Before Amai he was only fulfilling desires of the flesh. But with Amai he was connecting them beyond normal human bonds. He would use his Sharingan and expose not only all of her thoughts and memories -even repressed ones- but his own as well. Itachi wanted her to know, to see, and he wanted both as well. She stopped and looked at him questioningly, and he realized he was smiling. He let it widen. The smile she returned made him stop and gaze at her.

"Let us leave now Angel." Itachi said as Amai threw her cloak on. She nodded and grabbed her newly scarred headband. She looked at it for a moment, thinking of her decision. Smiling softly she tied it around her neck and nodded at Itachi.

Bending to pick up her bag she felt his gaze on her. She glanced up and noticed he was smiling softly.

"What?!" She asked her cheeks heating.

"You always bring the scent of flowers with you." He said still smiling.

"I-is that a bad thing?" She asked softer.

"Not at all I love flowers." His grin deepened, and so did the emotion in his eyes.

They disappeared into the trees. For a while neither spoke.

"The smell of flowers comes with this presence."

Amai didn't miss Itachi's pointed look at her. Filled with curiosity.

"There's a presence besides the monster. Except she's not inside me, she just comes and goes. And brings the smell of flowers with her."

"You know it's a female? Have you seen her? Spoke to her?" He inquired.

She shook her head but the thought of the presence brought a small smile to her lips.

"All I know is that... Whatever she is, that's what I am. And she is pure. Not in the virginity way just that there isn't a drop of corruption in her."

"I see." He murmured. A few more minutes of silence passed.

"She never speaks to me, I only know when she's around. Well actually she kind of does speak to me, but through my instincts. She's the gut feeling that's always correct."

"Well then I'll get to feeling this later." He said. He was smiling again.

With that in mind they darted off to the south.

It was dry, and scorching hot. Takehiko's skin was burned and hot, he was weary and tired. He knew Ryota and Koji felt the same yet didn't want them to think him weak. His pride often got in the way like that. His search of the girl Amai had led he and his team all the way to the coast. Well almost anyway. He could smell the salt tainting the air, yet his skin could not feel moisture. With a scary realization he knew that if they didn't find water in the near future, they would parish in the harsh sun. If the day wasn't so hot he would probably enjoy it much more. The sky was cloudless, a deep hypnotizing blue. The grass underneath his feet was gritty. He began to stumble, no one noticed. Koji, Ryota, and Takehiko were all in a dehydrated, burnt daze.

The grass began to disappear beneath his feet as he stumbled further away from the grass. He faintly wondered why the ground beneath his feet was so permeable. Where was he going anyway? He fell to his knees burying his hands in the ground. It took more than all the effort he had left to get back on his feet. Only able to lurch a few more feet he fell face first into the hot ground. There was no strength left in him to even attempt at regaining his footing. He lay there realizing Koji and Ryota had done the same. He closed his eyes softly waiting to die. A fleeting thought of pride,

Sucks I had to die like this... Not in battle.

Suddenly a flash of cold on his face shocked him awake. He pushed up on his arms to look out in front of him... The astonishment that he felt was due to the sight in before him. The grit he had felt earlier was due to sand. The cold on his face had been water. Fresh water. It lapped up against a hill that they had climbed over without realizing. In front of them was another smaller hill, and beyond that... an ocean. He shook himself, and got to his knees. It was all he could do not to stick his face in the water and drink. Instead he took the bottle from his hip, and filled it up. Drinking as slow as he could manage. He couldn't drink so quickly for obvious medical reasons, yet he needed to make his friends drink as well. Both were lying in the sand, making small moaning noises. After draining four bottles full of water, Takehiko felt he could move to get to his friends. It helped that the water was cool, for his burns.

He moved to Koji first. He looked extremely tall yet very frail all at the same time. His silver hair was in tousles around his face. Takehiko lifted him gently, putting his head in his lap.

"Ko-Chan. Drink." He said sternly. Koji opened his eyes weakly and nodded.

"Not too fast." Takehiko warned.

Soon Koji was alert and Takehiko moved to Ryota.

After helping both of his friends he filled the bottle up again and moved to pour the cold water over their sunburns. Ryota moaned loudly in relief and managed to sit up, and crawl the rest of the way into the water. Plopping face first he reveled in the cool water. Takehiko's breath was still coming fast, and standing was an effort but he felt a million times better than before. He scanned the area around them looking for reprieve from the sun's harsh rays, without venturing too far from the fresh water. His eyes fell on a small cave nearby.

He managed a smile, it would make a good place to camp for a couple of days. They needed to regain their strength, and make an actual game plan.

"Ko-Chan, Ryota. Can you guys walk?"

"I-I think so. Why?" Koji answered.

"We need to get out of this sun, or this bit of help won't last long." He said seriously.

"Ryota?"

The large shinobi rose from the water and stood, he could barely keep his balance but he could stand.

"I'm good."

His lips were dry and cracked. But the light in his eyes grew stronger once more. Takehiko nodded and turned to point at the cave.

"Take your time, but get to that cave. Scope it out a bit and stay near the entrance. I'm going to fill up our waters. This is where we'll be for a few days." He ordered sounding like a king. They only nodded and trudged with great effort in the direction of the cave.

He turned and bent down to refill their waters. A splashing in the nearby ocean made him narrow his eyes. When he saw nothing he busied himself with the water again. Still he pondered on it. Wherever they were... they were utterly secluded. Which was good, and bad. Takehiko grabbed the waters and gave the ocean an icy look then turned to follow his friends.

Takehiko seemed to be the only one who braved nearing a fire.

"We need to cook and eat." He argued.

"Yeah but you can for-fucking-get me going near one, the burns hurt so bad." Ryota said leaning against the cool cave wall. He sipped at his water. Takehiko questioned his laziness.

"Fine I'll do it." He muttered and lighted a quick flame.

"Ko-Chan get something out of the bag."

Koji moaned and moved to the gathered packs, pawing through them. He recovered three bags of fish and greens.

"This'll work."

Koji returned to digging through the bags.

"What're you looking for Ko-Chan?"

"I need something for the sunburns. Ointment or something." His voice was on the brink of desperation.

"Look in the food bag. There's a sealed box of mint leaves. Take those, an empty bowl, and chew them up a bit. Make a paste with them."

Why was Takehiko being so wise and active? It was scaring him. He knew after this he would for sure go back to napping under trees. Koji's face scrunched up.

"Ew. You mean we put this on the burns and it'll- help?"

"Yes. Now do it."

"Fucking Princess hurry up, I don't give a shit. You don't either you're just putting up a front. We all want relief now do it." Ryota said lacking his usual sarcasm.

Takehiko could tell Koji barely had the strength to argue so he did as he was told. Ater the fish and greens were cleaned and cooking Takehiko looked at his team. Koji was an exeptionally wealthy and good looking shinobi, who was well liked by many girls. His royal demeanor and handsome face made him a lovely target of fangirls. He was tall, lean, with long straight silver hair. His eyes were a blue so bright and deep you imagined the sea. He was quite masculine in his own way, yet he had a few boyish qualities that made him seemingly attractive. Takehiko respected him because of his solemnity.

Koji Madoka was from on of the most wealthiest families in the Cloud Village. He could have easily paid his way into being an anbu or high rank officer, but he chose to stick it out with the rest of the kids. For that he, Takehiko, and Ryota were very good friends.

Takehiko looked at Koji's face, his creamy pale skin was bright red in places. He looked like someone had offered him a box with a severed head, what with the expression on his face, combined with the crimson. He almost laughed.

The house that stretched in front of Amai and Itachi was a rather large cottage. The house's outside walls were made of black stucco, the roof was a steep gable. Amai thought it was completely beautiful.

"This is where I want to live someday." Itachi said softly beside her. She turned to him and saw the small flicker of hope cross his eyes.

"It's a beautiful house." She said.

"Five bedrooms. Enough for me plus... More."

"Like who?"

"A family." He shrugged.

This made her heart swell.

"Oh Itachi." She whispered.

He took her hand gently and led her toward the house.

Itachi wanted to put his arms around her already. Deidara was one lucky bastard for even getting a small piece of her. In the cloak she looked mysterious, wild, beautiful beyond compare. Her long curls tumbled down around her face, the cloak open enough to see her chest. Underneath she wore a black tunic that hugged every single curve of her body, very short revealing black shorts. Her legs were beautifully sculpted. This is where she belonged. She would be a very good assassin, among other things.

"Little Angel." He said. She turned and looked at him.

He felt himself rising to meet her, his lips finding hers. His kisses were deep and deliberate. Pushing her back they made contact with a wall. He hoisted her up on it and she straddled him around the waist. Blood rushed around in his body. There had never been a feeling like this, never in his entire life had Itachi wanted someone so badly. He released her and pushed the door next to him open and picked her up, like a princess. Putting her down on the bed he kissed her once more, feeling himself lose it. Her hands found his shirt, she began to lift it. His hands roamed her delicious curves. She let out a moan in his mouth as he found the edge of her shorts. Lightly rubbing her very inner thigh seemed to drive her insane. Both were breathless. He had to fight her hands away from pulling her own clothes off. His mouth trailed down to her collarbone as he pulled her top off. Looking up at her he whispered,

"I'm getting ready to establish the connection. Ready?"

She nodded without hesitation.

He began opening his mind and the sharingan his sexuality already at a peak-

A loud knock at the door made him snap to attention and sigh. His irritation only grew as he neared the door. In his mind the person on the other side of the door was going to lose a limb or two. This almost made him laugh. He threw open the door to reveal- Tobi. Deflating he stared at Tobi.

"Hello Itachi-Sama"

Itachi's eyes fell to the basket cradled in Tobi's arms. It was a light brown wicker basket, wrapped in pink cellophane, a pink and white spotted ribbon was tied around the top. He narrowed his eyes.

"What the hell is that for Tobi?"

"It's for you and Amai-Senpai. You see Deidara-Senpai wanted me to give you guys another basket filled with leeches and bugs. But I told him no way because Itachi-Sama would kill me and him. And Deidara-Senpai told me that if I didn't get out of his face he'd take my-"

"Tobi!" Itachi said cutting him off. Itachi braced for him to start again but Tobi simply stared at him.

"What is this really about?"

"Exactly as I said. But here's a basket from me. Bye bye now." He said throwing the basket in Itachi's arms and running away. Itachi could only stare after him shaking his head. He slammed the door and looked through the cellophane wrapper. A bottle of rice wine, dried rose petals, oil... Itachi's face heated.

Then he had a thought. He wanted their first time to be special. If he could get her out of the house till sundown... He could make everything incredible.

Takehiko was irritated. His skin was itchy and had started to peel. That morning he had been surged awake by the deep itch on the burns. Koji was nowhere to be found, and Ryota was still dead to the world. Takehiko dug through their packs looking for the relief Koji had made the night before. With luck his hands brushed over the smooth plastic, and he pulled the container out. The cold relief was almost too much for him. Suddenly a scream coming from the mouth of the cave. Undeniably it was Koji's. Takehiko was on his feet and to the entrance in seconds. Koji was turned away from the cave staring at a small puddle in front of the cave.

"Ko-Chan?! What's wrong?!"

Koji faced him then, tears were running down his cheeks.

"My skin is peeling! My beautiful skin!" He shouted.

"Have you never had a sunburn before Koji?"Takehiko asked seriously.

Koji shook his, silver locks fluttering about his head. Everything in Takehiko's life had become almost comical. Yet to Koji who more than slightly narcissistic, a nick in his complexion was devastating.

"It won't be like that forever Ko-Chan. Calm down. It'll be gone by the time we leave here to get started again. Now come on you need to lie down."

Koji sighed but nodded, wiping his tears.

Something picked at Takehiko... Something was missing. He looked at the still knocked dead Ryota, and Koji, and the rest of the cave. The feeling of uneasiness never left him. Suddenly with a sick realization his eyes widened,

"Senshi..." He whispered.

"What?" Koji asked.

"Senshi isn't here!"

"What?! When did he disappear?!"

"I don't know! All I remember is that it was really hot then we ended up in the pond. I didn't even think-" He trailed off. His heart was beating too fast for his liking.

Senshi was an extension of himself. His love for the pet was nothing short of love he would have for his family. Takehiko's mind raced as he walked as quickly as his still weak body would allow. The day that greeted him was no relief, it was still dry and hot. He nervously sipped his water.

"I can't believe he's gone." He choked out.

"We'll find him Take-Chan. He can't be far."

"Maybe he'll be there in the trees on our way back."

The thought was small yet comforting to him.

"Now I think you need to take a nap too." Koji suggested lightly.

He nodded and went back into the cave, fighting tears.

The air was light and airy. Takehiko took in a deep breath and looked through the leaves of the trees above him. They were bright pink. Sakura trees. The way the fading sunlight played upon them gave a dreamy orange tint. Takehiko was in a certain state of peace as he was able to take deep breaths, and his heart was calm. Despite that he knew nothing of the place he was in, he was comforted. A thought kept playing in the back of his mind,

She belongs in night, velvet night, with silky starlight.

He faintly wondered if he'd read it somewhere before. Behind him the sky was already dark and millions of stars began to emerge from the darkness. Everything was still and quiet except for the sound of a slight breeze ruffling the blossoms that hung above him. Where was he? This twilight didn't seem to really exist. His mind was playing upon some fantasy.

She belongs in night, velvet night, with silky starlight.

In a flash a most euphoric feeling eveloped him. Upon hearing the sound of wings he turned.

She belongs in night, velvet night, with silky starlight.

The most beautiful celestial being he had ever seen hovered only but a few feet from him. Her face was faintly familiar and he realized it was the girl he was hired to find. She wore a long black dress. She was held in the air by large flawless white wings. Her wings moved and she came down in front of him, smiling.

"Remember. There is danger in the forest." She said simply. Fear pricked him.

Suddenly the dreamy twilight evaporated and he was thrown into black. There was nothing here, no feelings of anything. But a weight hung over him, and then the only feeling that existed was dread. No hope, just fear.

It can smell your fear.

Yellow eyes danced around him. Not that of the Angel he had seen before, but an evil yellow. His fear became more real with each breath.

It loves your fear. It feeds from it. Do not be afraid, it will destroy you. The faint voice was the Angel.

His breaths came shallow, ragged. He pushed to surface of the dream. It pushed back. Trying to will himself from the horror in his own mind Takehiko let out a cry. The smell of burning flesh gagged him and he fell to his knees.

"Takehiko." The beast around him spoke.

"Takehiko." More voices spoke to him. Among the dark he could faintly see forms moving toward him. The way they moved made it look as if the black was crawling. He screamed as they flocked over him screaming his name.

"Stop!" He bolted up pushing Koji back.

His chest heaved as he looked around the cave, the sun's position suggested it was late afternoon. Koji and Ryota were around him wide eyed.

"Are you okay?" Ryota asked.

"J-just a nightmare." He muttered.

"Well we guessed that by the way you were whimpering."

"I was not!" His pride came back to him.

"Yeah you were."

"Whatever!"

Koji looked almost hurt as well as angry.

"Sorry for trying to help. I've shaken you for an hour!"