Hello everyone! Guess what? I'm back with another chapter for you guys. It is short again but can't be helped.

Discalimer: I don't own this amazing series. No matter how much I want too.

I think you'll enjoy this chapter. Well, I mean I think so.

Chapter-9

Surprise in the storm

The wind was howling ferociously. She could hear the raindrops hitting against the road and the glass window panes of their quaint coffee shop, punctuated by the loud strikes of the thunder occasionally.

And here she was sitting in there, in the safety of home like atmosphere of the coffee shop, slightly enjoying the creamy taste of a warm cup of coffee along with delicious chocolate pastry. Sometimes Maya gave her an opportunity to taste her favourite items. And today was one such day.

Suddenly she was brought out of her thoughts by a loud crash and a string of curses followed by a very angry Maya huffing like a bull ready to charge at any person or thing that would annoy her in the least. Izumi gulped.

The older woman's eyes soft considerably as she saw the younger woman looking at her with wide frightened eyes.

"What happened Maya?"

"Nothing! I just heard a stupid weather forecast telling that the storm was about to get worse! I am having an incredibly worse day. I swear it was only today that my car had to breakdown. I haven't even brought a raincoat!"

A small laugh escaped the younger woman's lips.

"Oh Maya, you can take my raincoat. There is nothing to worry about."

"And what about you, Izumi? Won't you get wet too?"

"You need it more than I do! Your house is much more farther away than mine and you have a daughter to look after who's staying at home at such a bad weather. You should worry about her not me! I am an adult, you remember that, right? I can take care of myself."

"Are you sure about this?"

"Yup!"

"Alright! Thank you so much darling! And you're having a day's leave tomorrow because you are sure to get wet and sick due to today's circumstance. So enjoy! Bye!" She placed the keys at counter and left immediately.

Izumi had a smile on her face she saw the older women donning her raincoat and leaving immediately. After all, who can blame her, she had a daughter who was waiting for her at home. Maya's daughter, Helen was a lovely eleven year old child whom Maya greatly adored. Maya had adopted Helen when she was three and since then the girl was living with Maya.

Izumi picked up the keys to carefully lock the different doors, arranging everything and then left the cafe. The rain was beating hard on her she pulled out her jacket and tried to cover up her head from it but of course nothing could save her from the merciless rain she was served up entirely.

" Damnit!" She cursed.

She moved slowly to avoid slipping and skipped puddles of water collected here and there. Her brown locks sticking to her face and water was trailing down her entire soaked clothing. A part of her was worrying about her mum but since the older Minamoto head went on a visit to the Uchiha household, which she has been doing a lot lately, and knowing how much of a worry wart the other woman was she was assured that her mother was still at the Uchiha mansion and she couldn't deny that she felt a little relieved. As much as she wanted to hurry home back she knew that one wrong step could make her fall and twist her ankle which was a very bad idea at this state of the weather.

She groned.

What a day!

It was at that moment she realised that a black car had been following her since she had turned around the corner of the cafe. Her heart pounded a little faster not wanting to encounter troublesome situation, her feet moved with a little more pace than before. She twisted and turned taking different routes to her home hoping to lose the vehicle but to her exasperation and fear, the car still followed her. Her breath quickened even more, as she was trying to get the horrible and devastating outcomes of the situation. A young woman outside in a stormy night was a good chance for creeps to-

She yelped as she heard the car bonking its horn hard at her. She took a side ways glance at the vehicle and realised the it even more closer than she had expected. Now she couldn't help but force her feet to run. As fast as they could. But to her horror, the car sped up. Her running that fast was making her gasp for air. She knew she was being stupid, trying to out run a car but her fear wouldn't let her stop.

She saw an alleyway and figured out that it wasn't enough wide for a car to pass through. A small sense of security overcame her heart, she had a chance that she might make an escape. But today the luck was not at her side today. Her blood ran cold as her horrified brown eyes took the time to process that the alleyway she entered was a dead end. She deducted that she had doomed herself. She turned out to run again but only to stop as she witnessed a figure moving our of the car. The silhouette was definitely of a man and a well built one at that.

She stumbled back. Fear making her mind numb and tears were starting to gather around her eyes. Her legs were trembling as the man moved towards her.

No! This can't be happening! Not to her! She wasn't this weak! She won't let this man take advantage of her. She will not let this guy defile her. Not at any cost! She had people waiting back for her at home. She had her sick mother to look after. She had Maya to answer to. She had her friends and what about Uchiha family? What about Mikoto? Would Fagaku accept her if she gets...?

Sasuke? Will he still be able to respect her the way he does now if something happens now?

And...

Itachi?

No. How will she face him again if she gets weak at a time like this. She knows he hates cowardice. She knows she can't afford to have Itachi hate her. Not because of somebody else's fault. She'll show this bastard here that you never underestimate a woman.

She took deep calming breaths to steady her breathing and took a fighting stance. Well, she had been trained in some mixed martial arts by her father when was young. Memories were fuzzy but she still remembered the basics. The figure stopped and she felt like he was examining her with something akin to amusement and fascination.

Izumi felt sick. She was hyperly aware that the water had soaked her white shirt completely making it almost see through. Her rage reached to its limits as she charged at the man with a speed that a normal woman of her age wouldn't have. Adrenaline pumping through her veins she attacked with ferocity she didn't knew that she had.

At the moment she reached in range to attack him she realised it was over. The person in front of her wasn't some ordinary guy. As he had sidestepped her strike easily enough, she came to a scary realisation that her opponent was a martial artist himself and worse for her, she could sense that he was already far superior to her. She gave a battle cry and attempted her strikes even more faster and stronger than before but to her satisfaction she was backing him against the wall. Maybe if she pushed him back enough she might be able to make a run to escape.

But she never saw this coming.

One moment she was joyous that she had him and the next her entire body was paralyzed with terror.

Before she could even register the situation, she had been somehow pinned down to the wall with her hands above her head and legs in position that left her no chances of counterattack. She was acutely aware of her stalker breathing down her neck.

No. Oh god no!

Her mind screamed at her to do something but her body was completely numb, refusing to make any movements as the figure leaned down to her face.

"You did well. Izumi."

The voice was husky but with no malice. In fact it was oddly warm and frighteningly familiar. She dare say it...it was comforting.

"W-who are you?" Her voice cracked.

Her heart jumped in her throat as the person in front of her reached up to lift the hood covering his face, only to reveal a gently smiling face of a soaked...

"Itachi!"

Izumi screamed in bewilderment.

Did you expect that? Itachi's back! And I'm about to give you another surprise in the next chapter. I'm excited about it. And I introduced Maya's daughter too.

So, tell me what do you people think about it?

Please review.

See you again.

Aditjn238.