She prepared for a day full of tearful outbursts. She prepared for the fact that she was going to be airing her heartbreak for everyone to see. It can't be helped. What she didn't prepare for was to find herself rolling on the ankle-deep snow, screaming her throat hoarse as she tried to claw her bestfriend's face off.

That morning Shiori thought it was a good idea to visit her old home, the place where everything started and ended for her. She was surprised to see that the yard, though capped with powdery ice, was well-kept, the frozen hedges trimmed. The light in the living room flickered off and the front door slid open to reveal a beautiful woman with blonde hair holding a pail of cleaning materials on one hand.

Shibazaki Miyako paused at her doorstep, her face donning in a nervous smile.

"Shio-chan," she greeted her. "I heard the news that you were back. I thought you might drop by for a visit so I made sure everything is ready for you. I guess I was right."

Shiori was frozen on the spot. What do you say to your bestfriend years after she had led the Akatsuki to your doorstep?

"How have you been?" Miyako asked gleefully, either unaware or ignoring the storm brewing within her. "I missed you, you know."

Shiori snapped. With a guttural cry, she charged at her and dragged her on the very ground that Itachi had captured her. Both ladies yelped when their skin hit the snow.

"Are you kidding me? Are you kidding me?!" Shiori screeched in between attempts at slapping the blonde whose waist she now sat on. Miyako was quick enough to block all of them.

"Stop it! For Kami's sake have you lost your mind?!"

Shiori's right hand tugged out of her grip and it landed on her cheek with a sharp crack. Miyako's head snapped violently to one side.

"Yes! Who's fault do you think that is?"

A few more poorly-aimed slaps came her way before she mustered enough strength to shift her hip hard enough to send Shiori off-balance. The younger girl fell on her back with a groan. Miyako didn't waste any time and pinned her down with her entire weight. Despite her cries of protest, she took Shiori's face with both hands, placing her palms flat against her flushed skin.

"Read me. Read me, Shio-chan. I have nothing to hide."

Shiori grew still. Her pupils blew up and her gaze became unfocused. Miyako didn't stop. She wasn't sure if the younger girl could hear her while she was sucked in her old memories but she felt obliged to speak anyway.

"Kami knows I tried. When I realized that I couldn't stop them I tried to warn you but they found out about it. They threatened to take everything away from me." Miyako struggled to keep her voice steady.

"I nearly lost my job. They threatened to send my brother and Jin in a suicide mission. I am so sorry. I had to make a choice. As punishment for nearly jeopardizing their plan they ordered me to lead the Akatsuki to you myself. And there isn't a day when I wake up and not remember what I did."

Shiori began to tremble underneath her. Her breathing grew shallow as she processed the memories, the shame and the guilt that she had kept to herself since that bleak spring morning. Just as she had suspected years before, she had been forced to betray her. For the longest time Miyako thought she had died. The weight that fell on her conscience from it was something Shiori hoped she wouldn't feel personally. She may have been the one exiled but Miyako had been stuck in her own personal hell since that day.

She blinked and looked at her square in the face. Miyako let her go tentatively. When she was sure that the younger girl had stopped fighthing, she rolled off of her and landed on her back on the snowy ground. Both girls lay on their spot for some time, unmoving except for the rhythmic rise and fall of their chests while a drizzle of snow fell on them.

"I would understand if you refuse to forgive me," the older girl said. "You have every right to be angry. What matters is you know the truth. My truth."

Shiori shook her head. She couldn't stay mad at the bestfriend, especially not after all that. Besides she didn't have the emotional stamina to hold a grudge at the current state she was in.

"Ah screw this," she mumbled as she slowly got up to feet. She offered her hand to Miyako who gave her a confused look.

"Come on. Let's talk about it inside. I saw that you found my secret stash of tea leaves in the kitchen."

"..."

"If we don't have them now, I doubt I'll have another chance to enjoy them in the future." Shiori frowned at her before giving the faintest smile.

"Promise not to try clawing my eyes out and I might just get some water boiling," Miyako replied, grabbing her bestfriend's clothed forearm to help herself up.

"That tea better be good."

"Whatever...crazy bitch."

It was only that day that Shiori realized how much she missed being able to confide to another girl. Back in the days, a female companion was so common that she didn't think much about what it would be like without it. However ever since she became the Uchiha's ward it had become a novelty, almost a luxury that she rarely stumbled onto. The only other women she saw on a regular basis were Konan and Sora and she doubted that they had the time to listen to her woes.

Over a pot of hot tea, she spoke of her life outside of Shimogakure while being very careful to leave out details that could jeopardize their safety like the things she had seen inside their captives' heads and her relationship with Itachi.

She spoke of Sora and Fudo, of donning the most beautiful yukata she had ever laid eyes on only to be nearly sliced in half shortly after. She mentioned exploding clays, perverted immortals, long days spent with Kisame and Itachi and even longer hours spent controlling her chakra under her handler's supervision.

Miyako was surprised at this particular information. "So it was him who taught you your new skill? Sounds like he's alright, albeit a bit creepy."

Shiori gulped down the remaining half of her cup's contents before pouring herself another cupful.

"He has his moments," the dark-haired girl hurriedly sipped on her hot drink to mask the grimace that automatically spread on her face at the mention of her lover.

'That's former lover for you loser,' she reminded herself.

"I hope you don't mind me saying this but I have to let this out. He is...the sinful version of Eiji. I swear he could pass as his twin on certain angles." Miyako nearly freaked out years ago when she first laid eyes on the former Konoha-nin. She thought her childhood friend and Matsushiro heir was playing games on her until she looked closer and saw the Sharingan.

"Yes I do mind," Shiori bit back. "And the similarities end there. He is nothing like Eiji. Trust me."

"You say that like it's a good thing."

"It is. Plus he certainly does a better job at keeping me safe. That's the most I could ask for these days. So yeah, I guess I did mean it as a compliment."

She was painfully aware of the way Miyako was narrowing her eyes at her. She feigned nonchalance.

"So...is there something going on between the two of you?"

Shiori bristled inwardly. "No. The guy's scarier than a missed period. We only talk when we have to."

"Shio-chan, I think it's about time that you know. You have this tell when you're lying. One doesn't have to read minds like you do to figure out that you're talking bullshit."

The younger girl tried to maintain her resolve. "I have no idea what you're talking about."

"Are you two dating?"

"I just told you. No." It was technically true as of last night.

"But have you kissed him?"

"No."

"Holy-! Sotome Shiori!" Miyako exclaimed, hands flying to her mouth in shock. "I don't know whether to congratulate you or to slap you. Geez!"

"Miyako, don't be stupid! One doesn't go around kissing their kidnappers..." she trailed off. Her resolve slowly dissolved with every word of the sentence.

"One normally doesn't but you sure have. Not judging you because I get the allure. Your kidnapper is gifted by the gods with a ridiculous amount of sex appeal. I noticed it from yards away...in the dead of winter. If you're spending as much as time with him as I think you are then you don't stand a chance. You have a type and he fits it like a glove."

Shiori had never appreciated those terrifying moments she had spent with Kakuzu and Hidan the way she did that very minute. If there was one thing those two psychopaths had taught her, it was how to keep her panic on the inside. Right there with Miyako tearing her a new one with her lethally accurate conclusions, she could definitely feel her facade of nonchalance slipping.

"So, have you two-"

"No!" she snapped, glaring at the blonde. "This isn't high school anymore. I'm not sure what Eiji and the rest of his precious clan told you but the Akatsuki certainly didn't purchase me to be their muse."

An awkward silence fell between the two friends. It was Miyako who broke the spell.

"I didn't mean to make it sound that way-"

"I know. Sorry that came out harsher than I intended," Shiori cut in, running a hand through her disheveled hair. She didn't mean for all that bitterness to come out of her mouth. Despite everything, it didn't seem fair to pour the anger she felt towards the Elders on her bestfriend's lap just because she knew she could hurt her with it.

"I guess I just got...excited." Miyako smiled knowingly. "You said he makes you feel safe? Despite the circumstances surrounding you both? Safe within the Akatsuki?"

Shiori nodded. There was a sharp tug at her chest. Once again she felt herself yearning for the brooder with the secretly big heart. "I probably sound like I've lost my mind but yes he does. He...makes me feel safer than I've felt in ages. Also, there's no point denying it. I'd be long dead if it weren't for him. I don't think I've ever given him credit for that."

The blonde glanced sideways before leaning forward towards her. She spoke softly, afraid that they may have an eavesdropper nearby.

"Jin would kill me if he hears me say this but...I think I like him."

Shiori smiled at her. "I thought you would."

"Jin and I are getting married in two years' time in the summer. On my birthday. It's probably just wishful thinking but it would be great if you can drop by."

"Sounds nice."

After one final hug, the blonde bowed at Itachi and Shiori before going on her way.

The two friends had been idly chatting when Itachi appeared on Shiori's doorstep, telling her that it was time to leave.

With Miyako gone the duo silently made their way towards the village exit. They haven't spoken a word to each other since the night before. And with the way things ended then, neither knew how to approach the other.

They crossed the bridge over the Yozakura River and took the quieter eastern road towards the exit. Heavy snow had fallen once again and most of the people had decided to stay indoors. Shiori hadn't seen another person on the road for almost half an hour now.

Suddenly Itachi stopped. Shiori paused as well and turned around to face him.

"Talk to me."

"You won't be going to the Yugakure headquarters with us. Once we reach the border of the Land of Hot Water, Kakuzu and Hidan will be taking you with them."

Shiori gaped at him. "No one told me anything about doing a mission with them."

"There is no mission at the moment. But Kisame and I have spoken to Konan and we thought it was best that you stay with them in the Kawagakure headquarters until further notice."

Shiori felt like someone had just pulled the ground from under her. It took a while for her to find her voice.

"And...how is staying in Kawagakure any better than staying in Yugakure?"

Itachi didn't miss a beat and his face was as neutral as ever.

"The Akatsuki will be after the Kazekage, the jinchuuriki of the Ichibi, in the next few days. Kisame and I will have to complete other missions on top of that. I wouldn't be capable of managing a ward amidst all these."

She could feel her face growing hot despite the chilly air around them. She stepped closer to him, eyes shining brightly with pent up anger.

"When did you and Konan decide on this again? Because if this is about last night then at least say it to my face, Itachi. I expect that much from you."

Not capable of handling a ward? She may not be a shinobi but she wasn't an invalid either. She had been left under Fudo's care without seeing Itachi for weeks before and she thought she had done just fine.

Itachi coolly gazed at a spot behind her. His aloofness scared her. It was as if he was deliberately distancing himself from her just as she had allowed herself to completely fall for him. The sting of it was not unlike that of betrayal.

"You're going overboard, don't you think?" She flinched when her voice cracked halfway. "All this because you're convinced that I'm still hung up on my ex?"

"There is more to it than your petty reasons, Shiori. Tactically speaking, this is the best move," he replied coolly. He gritted his teeth before meeting her eyes with a cold look of his own. The blatant hurt on her face nearly made him falter.

Of course he wanted her to stay. The last few weeks, he found himself wanting her more than anything, a want so overwhelming he could feel it in his bones and see it cloud his judgement. He wanted Shiori for no other reason than because he was falling for her. Hard. He was losing his cool. And it was because of this that he decided that she had to go.

It dawned on him again just how much was at stake. He couldn't afford to get distracted.

Shiori shrunk back, knowing that the decision had been set long before she knew about it. There wasn't anything she could do anymore, not when he was being like this.

No words were exchange between the two of them after that. Once they reached Hot Water, they found Kakuzu and Hidan waiting on the nearest tea shop from the border. The loan was made and not more than five minutes later, Kakuzu was itching to move out.

Itachi's last image of her was of her hooded figure dragging herself behind the duo as they disappeared down the southern bend heading to Fire Country. It would be months before they would see each other again.

Author's Notes: Hi guys. So I have a few thoughts about this one.

Re: Miyako/Shiori dynamics. It probably sounds a bit erratic and bipolar and even a bit vulgar. But I always saw Miyako as that one friend whom the OC can be as disgusting with without fear of being judged. We all have that one friend don't we? And with Shiori that's her. The catfight at the start came out so naturally that I left it at that even though it sounds ridiculous (considering how calm they were afterwards)

Re: Itachi/Shiori. Heck I'm stumped as well. Honestly wanted to find a way around it. But if I wanted to keep Itachi in-character he would have to do something that the canon Itachi would do in this situation (I think). And for me I always viewed him as someone who is capable of distancing himself from people who could become his weakness if the situation calls for it.

Anyhoo, thanks for reading. Please do leave a review. Always makes me happy to hear your thoughts guys. See ya.