Summary

Denial is not just a river in Egypt...

A/N: And we're up to chapter 13. Weird, because this one was a brain killer for me. I hope you all enjoy! By the way, that poll is still up. But only for another week or so. All for your entertainment pleasure. Lolz!

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The first reason why he hadn't gone to see Kagome yet was simple. He was working right now and didn't want to be bothered. Somehow, though, she'd managed to find him, climb up in the tree he was leaning on, and chatter brightly at him; all at the same time. And in the span of an hour. The former heir had no idea how she managed to do it.

She flipped over so that she was now hanging upside down next to the Uchiha. The tree branch swayed slightly to accommodate the new weight.

"... Boo," Kagome blurted out in a monotone, knowing she wouldn't scare Itachi in the least. He merely glanced at her in annoyance, raising a brow at her interesting choice of hairstyle today.

"... You'll fall if you stay like that for long." Were those... pigtails?

"I will not!" the priestess retorted, sticking her tongue out childishly. Itachi merely shrugged and went back to waiting, cool mask firmly in place. Inwardly, though, he was nervous. How had she known where he was?

'For once, I hope Zetsu's late.'

"Hey, Itachi?" He graced her with a look. "What's up with the cloak. I mean, come on. Red clouds?"

The Uchiha blinked and glanced down at himself... only to suppress the groan that threatened to escape. Reason number two why he hadn't gone to see her yet; explaining the cloak, thereby the Akatsuki in general. It was not something he was looking forward to doing. At all.

'But then, it's not like I can just say "I quit" and walk away,' Itachi thought, avoiding the priestess's curious blue eyes, 'If only it were that simple.'

"It's... mandatory," he replied quietly, causing Kagome to lean a little closer to him.

"What? It's mandarin?"

"Mandatory!" he hissed, glancing at the girl... only to come nose to nose with her. The two teenagers blinked simultaneously. One right-side up, the other hanging from a tree.

'Her eyes have tiny flecks of gray in them,' the Uchiha thought faintly. For some reason, he couldn't seem to get a hold of himself enough to back away from her, 'Have they always been there? Why did I never notice them before?' Probably because he'd never been this... close to her. If he leaned in just slightly his mouth could-

'NO! Absolutely not! Just stop that train wreck right now, Uchiha!'

"Ita... chi?" Kagome whispered, unsure of what, exactly, her friend was thinking to get such a determined gleam in his dark eyes.

He shivered when his name passed from her lips. Things were quickly escalating out of control for the former heir. Did she have to take that tone of voice? It was...

'Bad. Bad Itachi! Don't go there. It only leads to disaster.' He absolutely hated his hormones right now. They were giving him... ideas. Bad ideas.

A twig snapped overhead, breaking the momentary spell that had fallen over the duo. Kagome gasped, surprised by the overly loud noise, and accidently loosened her hold on the tree.

Thankfully (painfully) Itachi was there to catch her. They tumbled to the ground in a heap of limbs and curses.

"Woman! I am not a cushion!" the Sharingan user huffed, sitting up and rubbing his elbow. That hurt, damn it!

"Sorry! I'm so clumsy!" Kagome babbled, brushing leaves from their hair haphazardly, "I am so sorry! Did I break anything? Are you hurt?" Itachi stared at her in confusion.

"I'm fine. I suppose it's my pride that's been wounded," he finally sighed, brushing a leaf from the priestess's dark hair before standing. She blushed and mumbled another apology under her breath. "I'm not that fragile."

"I know. I just... feel really bad."

"Then do me a favor and return to the village. Today is not a day for visits," the Uchiha countered, holding out a hand and helping the girl up. She bit her lip and nodded, upset that he was brushing her off so easily.

"... Are you working? Is that why you're here?"

"... Yes. It's not... safe for you to be around me right now," he replied, turning her in the direction of the village and giving her a gentle push, "Now go."

Kagome finally nodded and began to walk away. Itachi felt the hold on his gut loosen the farther she got away. The danger, for now, had been avoided.

'The last thing I want it to get her involved.' He waited for another hour, and when Zetsu never showed, he headed back to the base in a foul mood.

He hated wasting time.

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"Put yourself out of your misery, Itachi." The Uchiha graced the plant-like Akatsuki member with a blank stare. He was still angry about the spy's no-show. Zetsu's darker half continued.

"Kiss her or kill her."

Itachi chose to ignore him and continued towards the kitchen, inwardly annoyed that it had been Zetsu in the tree earlier today. The spy was getting sneakier. It was... unnerving.

"Denial doesn't suit you, Itachi."

"You're a ninja, fool."

The Uchiha growled softly under his breath. He would not stand to be insulted. Still, he would be the better man and walk away with his head held high.

"I wonder-"

"-how she tastes?"

"Probably-"

"-delicious."

That got a response.

"Zetsu, there is a little thing called Weed Killer," Itachi growled, the Mangekyou Sharingan whirling dangerously and glaring at his team mate with barely restrained fury, "I could happily demonstrate it's effects on you should you continue that train of thought." He strode from the room, leaving Zetsu to ponder the implications. It didn't take a genius to figure out what the former heir was implying.

"... It seems that threats-"

"-garner the best response."

The Akatsuki spy chuckled. Itachi hadn't changed. He was still willing to fiercely protect what he considered his.

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A/N: Holy crap, I had a hard time with this one! Zetsu is so... strange. Kinda scary too.

So Zetsu knows about Kagome, but hasn't decided to meet her... yet.

On another note, It looks like The Red Sin is winning as far as the votes go. It figures. The one I have the hardest time trying to type up is going to win. Unless The Bodyguard suddenly pulls in front. Then I'm really screwed. I haven't even started that one. lol. I did get the first chapters for Hot For Teacher and You Have the Right to Remain... done, so at least I'm making progress. Life just works like that for me. Hahaha!

Anyways, please review and let me know what you think! It would be awesome if I could get at least 15 responses. Even just a thank you.