Summary

Dogs really aren't so bad... are they?

A/N: Okay, so I'm really excited that so many people liked the previous chapter. It's really some thing else when you get compliments on what you do. It makes me want to type more, therefore, get things out much faster. Thank you so much to everyone who reviewed. It really does give me inspiration. I don't own Naruto or Inuyasha. They belong to their respective creators.

BTW- There will be swearing. Just so you know.

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Itachi Uchiha was many things. Quiet, self-assured, intelligent, socially introverted, and possessing a well of patience.

Okay, scratch that last one; his patience was not one of his best traits. Especially when it concerned a certain flashy blonde team member of his that didn't know When. To. Shut. Up.

He supposed that he had only himself to blame, though, about his current predicament; seated quietly in his chair and avoiding Deidara's visible eye as he probed the Uchiha genius's brain for answers to his lapse in judgement two weeks ago.

'And my nail polish still shows no signs of wear and tear,' Itachi thought absently before leveling a Sharingan-enhanced glare at the explosives expert that would usually have anyone and everyone running in terror. Deidara didn't even flinch. For once.

"C'mon Itachi! There's no reason to be so secretive! Who's this chick you talked about?" the blonde wheedled. Deidara was determined to get an answer to his satisfaction this time. Normally he wouldn't bother, seeing as he absolutely despised Itachi Uchiha; he had no sense of the beauty of art whatsoever! Not to mention his distant attitude had the tendency to rub the Stone missing-nin the wrong way.

'A girl, on the other had? And one that approached the bastard at that? It's too good to pass up!'

"There is no 'chick' as you like to put it, Deidara. Now stay out of my face," Itachi replied in a monotone, flicking a card down into the pile and huffing, "one nine."

Kisame winced in preparation and shuffled the cards in his hand. It was usually a good sign when his partner's voice lost all emotion and he narrowed his eyes in a specific way that fists would soon start flying and furniture would begin smoking or burst into flame. "Just leave him alone, Deidara. You're going to get beaten up if you keep it up." Was it him or was it getting hot in here?

"Fine, fine," the blonde huffed, glancing at his cards and smirking slyly at the Uchiha sitting next to him, "Three tens."

There was silence for a moment as each person took a look at their cards.

The former Stone-nin couldn't resist one last jibe, "Was she at least hot? Did you even get a name out of her?"

Itachi's cards bent dramatically and he seethed in anger. Pulling back, he hauled off and let his fist do the talking this time.

"YOU PUNCHED ME!" Deidara howled, rearing back and scooting away from Itachi.

"You deserved it. Now stay out of things that do not concern you!" Itachi hissed, jumping up and stalking away angrily. His cards fluttered to the floor innocently, singed crescent marks where his nails had been.

"You know, Deidara. I warned you," Kisame suddenly stated, standing from the table and following his young partner to make sure nothing was caught on fire due to the Uchiha's explosive temper. Usually Itachi didn't let things get to him. On the other hand, Deidara had been interrogating the Sharingan user for nearly fourteen days. Anyone was bound to snap at some point or another.

"His patience is getting better, believe it or not," the shark-man commented offhandedly to Hidan as he exited and swept upstairs, putting out small fires here and there.

"... I call bullshit," Hidan announced, grinning manically at no one in particular.

Kakuzu rolled his eyes, threw down his cards, and gathered up his things, muttering under his breath about not being able to concentrate when there was too much screaming going on.

"Agreed. Now stop whining and get back over here, Deidara. I hate waiting," Sasori seconded, running a hand through his red hair and organizing his cards again as the blonde stumbled back over to the table. the explosions expert slumped into his chair and murderously snatched the pile of cards in the middle of the table, muttering obscenely under his breath.

"Itachi, Kisame, and Kakuzu are all out," Zetsu stated offhandedly, glancing at the empty spaces forlornly while his less savory side continued, "and it's Leader-sama's turn."

The orange-haired Akatsuki member nodded and laid down three cards, "Three Jacks." The table remained silent for a moment before Hidan grinned again.

"Bullshit!"

'It may be a good idea to send Itachi for more supplies,' Konan thought idly, glancing at their stash of junk food in calculation before nodding to herself, 'I think we'll choose a less volatile card game too next time. Maybe Old Maid...'

"Doesn't anyone care that I'm going to have a black eye from this?" Deidara wailed in his usual dramatic fashion. Sasori actually rolled his eyes before saying "No" in a decisive manner.

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"Was she hot... such a stupid question!" Itachi muttered in annoyance, stalking up to his door and shoving it open with much more force than was necessary. In an uncharacteristic temper tantrum, he threw himself dramatically onto his bed and glared up at the ceiling in annoyance.

A moment later he heard his partner's distinctive tread as he waltzed up the stairs. "Maybe you should get out of here for a few hours," the shark-man commented, dousing a corner of their door frame in water when it began smoking, "You're starting to act like Deidara with his hissy fits." Itachi muttered under his breath and glared at Kisame.

"I do not act like that... that..." words failed him for once and he snarled in anger. The curtain behind him caught fire. His blue partner sighed and drenched the innocent curtain in water.

"Idiot?" Kisame supplied, smirking inwardly at the incensed look the Uchiha sent him. The smaller man finally sighed, sitting up and putting his head in his hands.

"He drives me insane with his inane chatter, insists that I have 'no appreciation of art', makes rude gestures behind my back," Kisame winced, knowing the blonde Akatsuki member would be in for a pounding later, "then wants me to divulge in some ridiculous recount of a girl that didn't run screaming at the sight of me," Itachi muttered, shaking his head and pulling himself together. The room was silent for a few heartbeats and the Uchiha glanced up at his thunderstruck partner, expecting a response.

"So... There was a girl?"

Itachi snatched a brace of kunai and stormed out the door. Kisame proved a valid point. He needed to get out; preferably before he burned down the headquarters in annoyance. 'He didn't hear a word I said!'

The shark-man grinned, pulling out a sheet of parchment and marking a 1 next to his name. "I still think I have the best chance of getting this 'girl' information out of him." He chuckled. Deidara was so going to lose their bet.

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It was one of those days where she felt like she shouldn't get out of bed. However, the world would not wait for Kagome Higurashi to decide when she should start her day. Nope. The neighbors gladly did that for her.

'That pounding had better stop before I get to the door,' Kagome thought groggily, rolling out of bed and hitting the floor in an inelegant heap of limbs and tangled bed sheets. The pounding still cheerfully continued.

"I'M COMING!" the priestess shouted, scrambling out of her sheets and jumping up in a surprisingly elegant maneuver. Glancing down briefly at her attire, she nodded and decided she looked decent enough to answer the door in her pajamas. Sprinting quickly down the stairs, she only bumped into one door frame in her haste to silence the person knocking so erratically on the other side of her front door.

"Yes?" Kagome flung the door open and gawked at her elderly neighbors smiling happily outside the door.

"Good morning, Kagome-chan!" the older woman chirped. The priestess was immediately annoyed with the bright greeting.

Hatsumi-san! How are you this morning?" the raven-haired girl asked in an overly-bright tone.

"Oh fine! I was just wondering if you were working today, Kagome-chan?" Hatsumi asked, cutting straight to the point. Kagome blinked and shook her head. Hatsumi's grin got wider, "Well, you remember me telling you about Chance, right?"

"Yes? Your little dog, right?" Kagome responded, having a good idea where this conversation was going.

"Yes! Well, the husband and I got a telegram from our daughter. Her son is sick and we said we would bring them some medicine," the older woman explained quickly, waving her arms about. The young priestess gasped in sadness, sending up a prayer that the boy would get better soon.

"Is it bad?"

"I'm not quite sure. We'll know when we get there," Hatsumi hummed, fidgeting from foot to foot, "Anyway, we can't take old Chance with us. He's not quite strong enough to travel anymore, and my normal dog-sitter is at her other job. I know you like dogs and all..."

"No! I'll help! I don't mind watching Chance for you guys until you get back!" she cursed her selfless heart, but a child in need would always take preedence over her own wants and needs. It was why she also volunteered at the orphanage.

"Would you? Oh thank you so much, Kagome-chan! I'll pay you what I would pay her!"

"That's not necessary, Hatsumi-san," Kagome sighed, waving her hand in a no-nonsense way.

"I know. But I'll still do it, as thanks for your kindness. It's the least I can do for taking up your time. It'll only be for the day and maybe part of tomorrow. Is that all right?"

"Yeah! I don't go in tomorrow until the afternoon."

"Oh thank you so much! I'll bring him right over with his things!"

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"Little dog my ass!" Kagome growled out, watching morbidly as Chance scratched behind his ear, "You're a monstrous son of a bitch!" The enormous black hound dog merely licked an entire side of Kagome's head enthusiastically. She stared in shock for a moment before glaring at him and stalking upstairs to remove the slobber in her hair via shower.

"If you've torn anything up when I come out, I'll make mince-meat of you, Chance!"

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He happily roamed the village for the majority of the day, picking out sights and smells that were appealing to him, and avoiding things he would rather not touch with a ten-foot kunai. Itachi was still debating on whether or not the wall scroll in his hands was worth purchasing when he was intercepted by a lovely voice.

"Itachi-san?" The S-class criminal flinched, though he would never admit it; not even under pain of death. He hated being recognized... by anyone. Turning, he prepared himself to face the one thing he had hoped to not run into in the village. Kagome. 'So much for avoiding tea shops today... And I did not just think her voice was nice.'

"How did-!"

"You have very distinctive hair. It's quite long," the priestess answered his query before he could finish. The Uchiha bit his tongue in an effort to not correct the girl. He also disliked being interrupted.

'Note to self: Cut hair.'

"So how are you? I haven't seen you around or anything. I'm glad you're safe and all," Kagome chattered brightly, grinning in the Sharingan wielder's direction and making his traitorous heart stutter slightly. He was at a loss for what to say; her questions seemed innocent enough, but any wrong answer he could give would potentially tip her off to his lifestyle. For once, he didn't want that. 'Damn hormones! Skipping heartbeats is bad for my lungs!'

"I'm... well. I travel a lot so I don't stay in one place very often," Itachi responded. She nodded and he relaxed minutely. He then proceeded to keep from laughing out loud as the small girl was unceremoniously dragged several steps by an enormous looking black dog. Despite putting her full weight against it, the hound seemed completely unaffected and continued walking.

"No! Chance stop! Stop please!" Kagome begged, digging her heels in for extra effort. The dog, dubbed Chance, amazingly did as she asked.

"That... dog... is massive," the Sharingan wielder stated the obvious, banging his head repeatedly against an imaginary wall inside his mind. 'Of course, Uchiha. State the obvious, why don't you? It's no wonder that she wouldn't need a protector; She's got super-dog right here.'

"Yeah... But don't worry!" the priestess grinned happily, petting the dog on the head gently, "He doesn't bite. He's just old."

"I... see..." Itachi replied hesitantly; which, in all honesty, he didn't. 'Chance' probably outweighed him by at least eighty pounds and could happily squish him should he decide to do so. 'This is why I hate dogs. Monstrous, abrasive creatures that rarely show signs of intelligence.'

Interestingly enough, said unintelligent canine was happily circling the duo and sniffing the newcomer with intentions of mischief. Who knows? Maybe this one would rub his belly if he rolled over. With that thought in mind, Chance dropped to the floor and rolled over. It pulled his leash taut and jerked Kagome and Itachi together suddenly.

The two humans went down in an unceremonious scramble of limbs and curses, causing the massive hound to jump up in alarm.

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'Outmanuevered by a slobbering leashed canine. This is so many forms of pathetic,'Itachi thought in annoyance, gritting his teeth and attempting to lever himself up off the floor. Movement under him made him freeze in shock, 'And now she's underneath me. Add mortifying to the list.'

"Owww! Chance... bad dog," Kagome muttered, propping herself up on her elbows and glaring at the massive hound. Said massive hound sat back down and began to scratch one of his ears in ignorance.

"I... despise dogs," the Uchiha muttered quietly. To prove his point, Chance leaned over and licked one side of the Uchiha's face enthusiastically. Itachi twitched murderously.

'That dog is dead the moment I get it alone.'

"I am so sorry about hi-eep!" Kagome cut herself off when Itachi's hand came dangerously close to brushing her chest. Her face burned red in shock.

"Don't move," he muttered, face inches away from the paralyzed girl's nose, "Your dog wrapped the leash around us."

"Not... my... dog..." Kagome huffed faintly, carefully maneuvering herself when Itachi sat up. She muttered something unpleasant under her breath and glared at the hound,"You're not getting a treat when we get back, I hope you know." Chance whined and laid down in remorse, causing the leash to tighten and knocking the Uchiha genius off balance again.

"... Embarrassing. This is worse than the nail polish and the interrogation I got afterwards put together," Itachi sighed, slowly untangling the leash first before standing again. He offered his hand to the girl on the ground in apology. She grinned awkwardly and accepted, allowing the man to pull her to her feet. Kagome giggled and wiped his cheek.

"You have a smudge," she supplied when she received an odd look for her actions. Itachi rolled his eyes and mussed up her hair.

"You need a bath. You're covered in dirt." She pouted in a, to him, not unattractive fashion. When he realized he was staring, he snatched that wall in his head again and proceeded to reintroduce his head to it.

"Sorry about him," Kagome apologized again as Itachi ran a hand through his dusty hair. The Uchiha came away with a string of slobber and he looked vaguely ill. "If it makes you feel any better, he decided that I needed a bath shortly after getting out of bed, got fur all over my blankets, drooled on my favorite tee shirt, and chewed up one of my sneakers... in the span of two hours."

Itachi blinked and looked back at the harassed girl. He smirked, "I must admit, it does."

"Jerk," the priestess muttered under her breath, gracing him with a sour face. He glanced around, noticing it was starting to get harder to see; for him at least.

"It's getting late. I need to go back," the prodigy sighed, dusting off his clothes fruitlessly. She fidgeted akwardly before moving forward and giving him a hug. Itachi blinked, first in shock, then in embarrassment before hesitantly patting the smaller girl on the head and kicking up a cloud of dust into his face. He sneezed. She laughed.

"It was nice seeing you. So take it easy and be careful," Kagome grinned, attempting to pat him on the head. She was unceremoniously dragged away by Chance for her efforts. She shrieked in shock and attempted to stop the canine, but when her efforts failed miserably, she turned and waved madly to the smiling Uchiha. It took a moment to realize he was waving back, and when he stopped the priestess had already turned the corner.

"Maybe... dogs aren't so bad," Itachi muttered, turning to head back to the Akatsuki headquarters. 'After all, she did hug me...'

'... I hate my hormones.'

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"What the hell happened to you?" Kisame roared, causing Deidara to prematurely detonate a small bomb and Kakuzu to drop several wads of cash. Apparently, Itachi was back.

"There is no need to yell, Kisame. I was... attacked by a dog," the Uchiha quietly replied, skirting around his blue partner and heading upstairs. He needed a shower. Badly.

The room was silent again until Itachi had disappeared upstairs and Pein stuck his head out of his office. "Is Itachi back?"

"Yeah. He looked like he got into a fight with a damn tornado!" the shark-man exclaimed, running a hand through his short blue hair. Their fearless leader raised a brow in disbelief.

"Really?"

"Uh-huh. He said a dog attacked him," Kakuzu answered, beginning his count again. He hated when people interrupted his daily log.

"Well, how much do you want to bet that this 'dog' had a girl attached to it?" Deidara asked slyly. Hidan rolled his eyes.

"Gambling's a fuckin' sin, you heathen, but I gotta agree with you for once."

...

"Konan! Go investigate!"

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Somewhere in her cozy home, Kagome sniffled then sneezed loudly.

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A/N: Sooo... When I think of this dog, I imagine Fang from Harry Potter. Yeah, that's a big dog.

Does anyone else notice the potential for a little Deidara/Iatchi rivalry? It reminds me of Sasuke/Naruto when they were always fighting.

Also, can anyone guess what card game the Akatsuki were playing at the beginning?