A/N –Hey guys. So sorry for not updating. I'm not gonna lie. I've been sooo lazy. Anyway, here is my Christmas gift to you, as it is 25 minutes into Christmas where I live. I hope you like it. It's really short but I tried my best to get something out there. Sorry for the mistakes. It wasn't beta'd. Love you guys. Please drop a review. - Aria

Chapter 8

Deidara chattered non-stop almost talking Sakura's ear off, oblivious to the already high, and rising, tension in the limo.

"-and then, and then, the heart flopped right off the tray and straight at the old lady. She got a heart attack. Get it? Like a shark attack; a heart attack," he howled with laughter.

"Uh-huh. That's very good, Deidara," she replied absently. Her mind focused on the stares and glares circulating throughout the limo.

Sakura was staring at Itachi who was drumming his fingers and glaring heatedly at Sasori, Deidara, Hidan and Madara, Sasori was looking coolly back at Itachi, a clear challenge in his eyes, Madara was staring at Sakura's jean-clad legs, Deidara was staring at Itachi confusedly as he chatted animatedly with Sakura, Hidan was drooling and trying to steal glances down Sakura's shirt, Kisame and Shisui were looking bemusedly at Itachi and his obvious jealously, Pain and Konan were making goo-goo eyes at each other, Kakuzu was staring at a wad of money, and poor confused Tobi was staring at everyone trying to figure out why the tension was so high.

Sakura almost sighed audibly when the limo stopped in front of what she was hoping (praying?) was her house.

"Hurry up and change, Sakura. You have five minutes," Itachi ordered.

"Sir, yes sir," Sakura replied sarcastically, sending him a mock salute.

The other occupants of the limo snickered as Itachi shot her a glare.

"Alright, Alright. I'm going, I'm going," she relented. "No need to be a grouch," she muttered as she exited the limo, skilfully avoiding the wandering hands of Hidan and Madara.

As soon as Sakura left the limo, Itachi let em have it. "What is the problem with all of you?!" he inquired in a silky voice, which meat that these apes had better choose their words carefully or somebody's gonna get a hurt real bad. (1)

"Why, whatever do you mean, Itachi-kun?" Sasori inquired rather innocently.

"Don't play dumb Akasuna," he growled. "Keep your hands to yourself. And as for you, Hidan and Madara, stop staring at Sakura and stop trying to touch her! What is wrong with the lot of you? You're acting like sex-starved maniacs!"

"Wow! Tachi-kun! The tension sure is high in here! You –"

"Shut up Tobi," ordered Sasori.

"Don't talk to him like that," objected Shisui.

"True. He may be annoying at times but that doesn't mean you have to be cruel," seconded Deidara.

"Shut up, brat. You're annoying," Sasori returned.

"Can we please act like the civilized, mature men we are supposed to be?" asked Pein.

"You couldn't be civilized if someone paid you," Konan retorted, upset at his rejection of her. Damn, and just as he was about to kiss her too.

"Oooooh. Kitten has claws," Kisame chuckled.

"I think we should remember that kittens eat fish, fishy-chan," she sniffed delicately.

Kisame held up his hands in mock surrender, chortling all the while.

"I would like to make it absolutely crystal clear that none of you are to touch, look at or even think about Sakura," Itachi demanded.

"Nothing can stop me from getting a piece of that," Hidan grinned salaciously.

Itachi growled and attempted to hit Hidan on the back of his head. Hidan, expecting violent retaliation, moved and in his haste, managed to knock the wad of money out of Kakuzu's hand.

All movement ceased. Not a sound was to be heard, except the purring of the engine. Not a breath was taken. All was deadly quiet; watching, waiting.

"-You little bi-"

It was pandemonium. Insults were tossed around, loud swearing was heard, violent whacks, thuds and smacks were ubiquitous and poor confused Tobi was ducking for cover. This continued for approximately 5 minutes. In the midst of this, no one took notice of the car door opening.

"What the hell is going on here?"

Everyone froze once more. Itachi had a red faced Sasori in a headlock while Deidara tried to pry his arm from Sasori's neck. Kisame was attempting to separate Pein and Konan by squashing a large blue palm into both their faces and holding them at arm's length, Tobi was crouching by the bar, Hidan had his hands in Madara's thick mane, looking for all the world like he was about to yank it out while Shisui had his arms locked about Hidan's waist in an attempt to pry him from Madara, and Kakuzu had his hands wrapped around Hidan's throat.

"Did I miss something?" Sakura asked with a brow raised.

All of them had the courtesy and decency to at least look slightly embarrassed. But that lasted for all of two seconds before they got a good look at what she was wearing.

"What the hell are you wearing?!" all the males said/screamed/yelled/shouted.

1 - Did anyone get that reference? First one to tell me gets a cheesy pick up line. Or a poem, your choice. ...yeah, I suck at reward systems. But I really wanna know if anyone gets it.

A/N – How was it? Please don't forget to review. To reach 100 reviews would be an awesome Christmas gift. Pleeeeaaaasssee. Anyway. Merry Christmas to you guys and I hope you have a great day. :D - Aria