Disclaimer: The characters are Masashi Kishimoto's property, I own the OCs.

Characters age:

Akane: 18 (51)

Itachi: 18 (35)

Shisui: 22

Naruto / Sasuke: 13

Kakashi: 27

I followed Kaiji when he stormed off after punching Shisui square in the jaw. I nodded at the samurais who glanced at us on the way outside. Ultimately, he stopped next to a rock and leaned against it.

"He deserved it," he stated firmly. I stopped next to him, my arms crossed and nodded.

"I agree. He deserved it."

"I have blood on my hands because of him." He did. I couldn't defend Shisui for that.

"What's your last memory?"

"He…came back to the island, said he wanted to have a drink after the fights and then…I saw his eye, it was red. Next thing I knew I'm in front of Yamato-san in Kinzoku with Junchiro-sama's blood on my hands." I put my hand on his shoulder. "I can't' leave the country for now, I have to stay with…my victims."

"I'd say they're not, but I know it will not help you." Kaiji, Haruto and Mari were confined in the Land of Iron. It was a matter of time before Minato send a letter to ask for Shisui to be retained here as well. "I'm sorry it turned this ugly."

"Humph, it was only a question of time." I raised a brow at him, and he shrugged. "Shinobis always ruin good thing. Although, they were getting ready for…action." He glanced at me up and down. "How have you been?"

"Been in Kiri, put an end to the Bloody Mist regime, assist the Fifth Mizukage, no big deal."

"…Kiri? I thought you were from Konoha."

"Born in Kiri and lived there for a year, then my family fled, and I found myself with relatives of my mom in Konoha because…Uzumaki clan." He scoffed.

"It sounds messy."

"Well, kind of I guess, but I'm used to it."

"…you became a lot prettier as well." I was taken back.

"Thanks," I replied awkwardly. He snickered.

"Don't worry, I'm not going to try anything. The guy staring at us like a hawk is enough to keep me away." I removed my hand from his shoulder and looked back.

Of course, it was Itachi staring at us. When he saw me looking at him, he looked away and walked away.

"You better walk," I muttered under my breath.

"Let's go back inside before he comes 'saving' you himself." I glared at Kaiji, who was snickering. "No, it is funny Akane."

"Shut up."

Itachi was in the hallway when we got back. Kaiji smirked, winked at me and left. I gave him the finger as Itachi watched him leave.

"A comment?" I asked the Uchiha, my hands on my hips.

"He's good looking."

"My, you swing both ways now?" He rolled his eyes. "I am aware he is good looking, thank you very much." He smirked bitterly. "Did you need something?"

"It's Valentine's Day today."

"Is it?" It was February already?

"We're leaving tomorrow so…I was wondering if you'd spend the evening with me?" I furrowed my brows.

"Just the two of us?" He nodded hastily. "Are you asking me on a date or something?"

"…yes. Unless if it's too much, then it's just as old friends."

"Then I think as 'old friends' would be better." I could tell he was disappointed, but he hid it immediately. "Where are you even…"

"Let me handle it. I'll get you at seven at your door." He poked me on the forehead, but it was gentler than before.

"I have killer migraines, but I'm not made of paper."

I spent a good chunk of the day with Kakashi, who filled me in about what was happening in Konoha. Sasuke and Naruto were planning Sakura's birthday present as she would celebrate her fourteenth birthday next month, but apparently, there were tensions between the boys. Now, they were entering their teenage years, so it was normal but with Sasuke having his Cursed Mark…he had stayed in Konoha so far. I wasn't sure how he was exactly, however. He wasn't driven by vengeance anymore, but with his clan, who knew what was going on in his head.

"You're acting weird, you know that?" I frowned at Kakashi.

"Look who's talking."

"Takes one to know one." I sighed faintly.

"I have bad migraines. The medication…is giving me side effects, I think depression is one of them."

"And if you don't take them, I'm guessing you can't function properly."

"Yup. It's not just that though. I mean, the headaches started like a month, a month and a half ago but when I was going on mission through the country I…I don't know, I felt like I was wandering aimlessly."

"You're lacking a defined objective and motivation." I raised a brow at him. "Akane, you've been under pressure for five years to get rid of you know who, and before that there was the Uchiha case and…you're lacking clarity and you're suffering the other side of the coin."

"Meaning?"

"Pressure and adrenaline are a good way to keep going. You don't find something that can keep you going, you start being with your thoughts too much. I would rarely spend more than two days without a mission when I was in ANBU until I was partnered with you."

"I remember yes." I had…been alone with my thoughts a lot, it was true.

When I'd think about everything, I felt like I was drowning and had no idea how to…be useful in any of it. The control I had over the situation ended the second Yagura was abducted and returned to being a free man.

"And maybe you're lacking vitamin-D as well."

"Huh?"

"Don't take it the wrong way, but the sun is not here often in Kiri. You're pale, maybe you need to see the sun."

"Are you trying to get me to come back to Konoha?"

"Oh no, I am telling you I am getting you back to Konoha, even if it is kicking and screaming."

"You can't force me."

"Akane, you left Kiri to try to find Shisui without knowing if he was still part of the Akatsuki. You can't function without medication that are making you emotionally vulnerable. You don't know where you're going, do you really think I'm going to leave you on your own and at Obito's mercy?" I opened my mouth, but nothing came out. "If you can't make sensible choices for yourself and your health, I will."

"…I'm not sure it's…"

"You're getting your head checked out, and whatever it is that makes you different, by Tsunade-sama and sensei. Plus, I'm sure you want to see Itachi get this surgery, don't you?" I bit the inside of my cheek. He was right on this one. "And I think getting involved in Naruto's and Sasuke's development could be good."

"You want an assistant?"

"Yes." I laughed at that. I laughed more than I had in weeks. "They used to be adorable, now they're starting to be moody and snarky."

"Sasuke's always been moody and snarky." Kakashi shook his head with a sigh.

"Itachi was easier to deal with." I scoffed.

"They both come with their difficulties." Kakashi nodded. "But Shis…"

"Will stay here, he doesn't have a choice. I doubt he'd be happy to have you here anyway if you feel like you can't come back without him."

"How…"

"He told me." I held his gaze for a few seconds, and I sighed.

"Fine, I'm coming back with you." I could discern his victorious grin beneath his mask. "I'm not sure I can handle the Uchihas though."

"Then don't go to the Compound. If they do try something in the village, they'll be in the wrong. In their Compound as well, but you know."

"What did Minato-san say anyway to…make me innocent?"

"He made a public statement once Kiri was free, with the Mizukage's approval of the speech, about how the man responsible for the Kyuubi attack had then targeted Kiri and that because you were born there, he had sent you there to investigate."

"It's…very public."

"He had to, or the villagers would have given you hell despite officially being allowed back in Konoha. He sent you there, he made sure to get the public opinion back." I scoffed.

"There wasn't much to begin with but…I guess it's better than keeping it entirely in the dark." I exhaled slowly through my nose. "What about Danzou?"

"One problem at a time."

"It's…"

"Yeah?"

"Better than I thought," Shisui admitted. "How did you even find this place?"

"I asked the samurais and managed the rest." They were in the attic. It was used to keep weapons, but one overly romantic samurai had told him no one would go there at night.

He had moved a few boxes and put a blanket on the floor, found some candles because there was no electricity and had gotten food. It was not perfect; he could do better but…it would do.

"I think it's so romantic Itachi-kun," Shinobu commented, her hand on his arm. Shisui cleared his throat. "I mean it."

"I didn't have the time to romance you properly, I get it." Shinobu crossed her arms on her chest. "I have whipped cream!" It was Itachi's turn to clear his throat. He didn't need the details.

He knocked at the door at seven and Akane opened it. She offered him a small smile.

"You better have food."

"Who do you take me for?" She chuckled and closed the door behind her.

"I'm not sure of what you could have possibly pulled here, so show the way." He took a short breath.

"Now I'm under pressure." She smirked. "I do think I'm going to wipe that smirk off your face quickly though."

"Oh really?" she retorted, a challenging and amused look in her eyes. "Big claim Uchiha."

"I can back them up Uzumaki," he said, glancing at her from the corner of his eyes. She giggled.

"Okay, enough flirting now."

He could feel her curiosity grow as they kept climbing the stairs. He turned to her once in front of the door.

"Wait here for a second." She shrugged and he entered the attic. He lit the candles and checked if everything okay before getting Akane. "Do you trust me?"

"Never when you ask if I trust you," she replied immediately. "Should I be scared?"

"Yes, I'm going to sell you off on the black market," he said with a deadpan and a serious voice. She raised a dubious eyebrow.

"Joke on you, I doubt you can have a good price on anything." He smiled faintly and she closed her eyes. "Yes, I do trust you not to kill me here." He took her hand and pulled her smoothly in the room, closing the door behind her.

Itachi put his hand on her eyes and led her to the spot.

"There's heat," she said once they stopped. Without a word, he removed his hand, and she opened her eyes, taking in the view in front of her.

He knew she had said 'old friends' but…he wanted to do something nice.

"I know you said 'old friends' bu…"

"Screw that, it's a date 'tachi," she interrupted him, her stunned eyes looking around. "How did you even…"

"I have my ways." She chuckled.

"You don't have to play the mysterious card with me. You already are anyway." She looked up at him and smiled sincerely. "It's beautiful Itachi, thank you."

"It is Valentine's Day, right?" he retorted quietly. She blushed a little and nodded. "Let's eat." They sat down. "It's not excellent cuisine."

"If it is eatable and fills my stomach, it's perfect."

Conversation flew naturally, as it was always the case before. At some point, Akane lay down on the blanket as he was sitting against a crate, her legs next to him. She had a pack of snacks in her hand and would throw them at him, betting him he couldn't catch all of them. It was fine at first, until she realized she would lose and threw five at him at the same time. He leaned over her legs and only got two, one hitting his forehead and the other two his arm. He caught one in his hand as she laughed.

"I won!" she exclaimed, raising her arms in the air.

"You've cheated."

"It's a loser's line." He shook his head and she leaned on her forearms. He threw the snack in her mouth, and she caught it easily. "I win." He leaned on her legs, staring at her face. "What?"

"You look happier." She pursed her lips and took a deep breath.

"I've had a good talk with Kakashi. He really…is better at putting words on how I'm feeling than me." Akane sat up properly, forcing him to do the same. "I'm going back to Konoha with you tomorrow." He couldn't hide the surprise.

"Just like that?" She nodded. "Had I known all I needed was to get Kakashi-san involved to convince you to come back, I would have done it right away." She chuckled.

"He didn't exactly convince me." Itachi raised a brow. "He said that he'd get me back to Konoha, kicking and screaming or not. I figured it was less embarrassing to go willingly."

"And you're fine with that?" She sighed a little.

"Whether I like it or not, Kakashi is a figure of authority and as he didn't die before…he's better at dealing with me than Minato-san, or you. No offense but…I do listen to him more."

"Hn." He wasn't exactly pleased to hear it but what mattered was that Akane was coming home with them.

"When I'm there, I'm getting my head checked."

"Good."

"And I'm avoiding your clan like the plague." He almost sighed at this. He couldn't blame her.

"It's probably for the best," he admitted quietly. "My mother will try to see you, so be prepared for that." She nodded, a little bit nervously. He took her chin between two fingers. "She won't eat you, don't worry about it."

"Sure, it's just…I'm terrified Itachi." He pulled her smoothly in his arms, her chin on his shoulder. "Kakashi gave me a summary of what Minato-san said and all but…I'm still terrified of going back. I wasn't exactly thrilling when I was living there."

"I know, but keep in mind Konoha wouldn't have an alliance with Kiri without you. It's a big thing."

"…sure."

"If you're not comfortable, you can still go back to Kiri as well." She averted her eyes. "What is it?"

"I don't feel like I belong in Kiri either." He pulled her back so he could see her face. "With what I know is happening in Konoha, I can never put my head in Kiri's business entirely. But because I was a kunoichi in Kiri first, I can never feel like I belong in Konoha with the Will of Fire and all of that. That's why I left. Looking for Shisui was not necessarily the smartest thing to do but…I don't know where I'm going Itachi and it's…" she admitted quietly. He cupped her face in his warm hands to make her look at him.

"Right now, you're going to Konoha with us and are going to spend time with your family. You're going to the hospital and focus on yourself and your well-being for a while."

"I'm doing the same thing as you are basically." He smirked faintly and kissed her forehead.

"I have not thought of it as such, but yes. I'm dragging you to the hospital with me." She laughed.

"You're the meanest Valentine ever." He leaned his forehead against hers.

"I am your Valentine then?"

"Please, as if it was not your intention." He smirked.

"Guilty as charged." He moved back, leaning against the crate once more. "But I know you don't want a relationship or anything, so I will be fine with just making you blush." She blinked, confused.

"Sorry what?" He shrugged. "You're making me work for it." It would be a nice change.

"You're calling the shots my love," he whispered huskily. Lust filled her eyes for a second and she crawled onto his lap before caressing his cheek.

"You're handsome," she complimented him before kissing his jaw chastely. Her lips left kisses on his jawline then down his neck. She unzipped his jacket a little and put her lips on the crook of his neck to suck on his skin.

He hissed in her ear and closed his arms around her, one of his hands on her butt. When she moved away, she sported a satisfied, and overly sexy, smile on her lips.

"Here, you're my Valentine now," she stated proudly.

"No asking?" She hugged his neck, put her forehead against his and pouted her pretty lips.

"Please 'tachi?" She ground against him a little. "Pretty please?" He leaned his head back, pretending to think about it. "Seriously?" He shrugged.

"I've been through a lot of angst when we were together a few months ago." He regretted his words the second he saw guilt in her eyes. Before he could apologize, she opened her top, her eyes never leaving his.

She opened her top, showing him she was wearing nothing underneath. He reached out his hand, but she grabbed it, then the other one.

"Only my Valentine gets to touch," she scolded him lightly.

"And you flash people just like this?"

"Hum…depends how much I want them to be my Valentine."

Itachi hooked his hands beneath her knees and pulled her firmly against him. She held onto him tightly as he lay her down on the blanket.

"Do I really get to touch if I am your Valentine?" he asked her, only millimeters from her lips.

"Who knows?" He smiled and went for a kiss, but his lips landed on her cheek. "Huh…'tachi?"

"I hope they were not mixed signals," he mumbled against her cheek.

"They were not, but I don't trust ourselves around lit candles." He straightened up and looked around.

Sex and fire were not a good combination.

Akane sat and closed her top, tightening her obi around her waist.

"We can move the nightstands and push the beds together," she suggested.

"I'm cleaning everything here; I'll meet you in the room." She grinned and pressed her lips against his before hurrying out of the room.

Itachi smiled to himself and hurried as well. When he entered the room, he locked the door behind him and dropped what he had used for their date to kiss Akane deeply, his hands untying her obi as she was busy with the button of his pants. He lifted her and fell on the bed with her, making her chuckle. He kissed her neck and then lower, her laughter turning into muffled moans.

As he was pining her wrists with on hand above her head and made love to her, he really loved the timing of this mission.

I stretched out with a yawn and glanced at Itachi. He was still sleeping, his face entirely relaxed. I leaned over him and cradled his jaw briefly, smiling to myself. I still felt like crap but…Itachi had a gift to change my mind. What he had done last night was…beautiful, and adorable.

I kissed his forehead and left to take a needed shower. I wrapped a towel around me once I was done, drying my hair with another towel as I went to the sink. I wiped the steam off the mirror and leaned on the sink to look at myself. I was pale and I looked tired. My hair fell between my shoulder blades now; I was planning on growing it out anyway. I glanced at my left arm and ran my hand over the mark.

Most Yuureis started to lose it after a decade of being reborn. It would be fourteen years in September. I felt…relatively fine apart from the headaches and spikes of sadness and hopelessness I'd have. It was not as if I had never had any of them before either, they were most probably accentuated but…

It would be fourteen years since I had seen my children.

I kept thinking about this when I was brushing my teeth. They would be thirty now. Adults. I had never fully succeeded in adulting, even to this day but…I hoped they were okay. I hoped Aki kept painting in her free time, I hoped Shi-kun had become a teacher at the Academy like he wanted to be. None of them wanted lives filled with success. They wanted simple ones, lives that would make them happy and fulfilled. I couldn't ask for more as they had never thought that grandeur would automatically make them happy.

I spat the toothpaste and rinsed my mouth. I just hoped my death had not made them derail completely from who they were. Shi would switch to a darker side that his sister, despite my daughter being superficial and materialistic sometimes.

She had failed the task I had given them after their fifth mission regarding budget management. It was nothing bad, I had just told them that money was fleeting, and they should be careful with it. Shi didn't spend much, so I took a look at how much he had saved, took that amount in my savings and bought him a gift. I did the same with his sister. She had gotten street-food because she had spent money almost the second it was in her hand on things she thought were interesting.

I sat her down and told her that for D-rank missions, I wanted her to save twenty-five percent of her salary, and for the rest between thirty to fifty percent as long as she was under my roof and didn't have to pay for everyday expenses. She pouted, wasn't happy but agreed when her twin brother told her he would not live with her in his future villa.

I straightened up and jumped when I saw Itachi behind me. He smirked and leaned his hands on the sink, on each side of me.

"It wasn't funny, stop appearing out of nowhere."

"You should be more aware," he replied huskily, kissing my naked shoulder. "You took a shower without me."

"You looked happy in dreamland. It can't accommodate two people anyway."

"Hn." I frowned and turned around. He leaned for a kiss, but I dodged. "What?"

"You look like shit." He clicked his tongue and moved away, but I grabbed his wrist. "Itachi."

"I'm fine."

"Try with someone who hasn't watched you die from what you have before," I retorted coldly. He wouldn't meet my gaze. "Your pouch?" He nodded slowly. "I'm on it." I kissed his cheek and left the room. He was flushing the toilet when I got back.

Itachi washed his hands and swallowed a pill.

"Happy now?" he asked me quietly. I nodded.

"Now get ready, we're leaving today." I left the bathroom and finished getting ready myself. Itachi left the bathroom a few minutes later and got dressed without a word. He reached out for the hairdryer, but I kept it.

"My hair is wet."

"I know, sit." He raised a brow but did, his back to me.

Without a word, I untangled his hair. He wouldn't put too much care in it before, but it was naturally beautiful. Dull because of his lifestyle and disease, but silky and straight. As I was untangling it, surprised by the lack of knots despite the thick head of hair he had, I was relieved to see it was stronger and healthier. I dried it and let him put his forehead protector on. I distractedly ran my fingers through his hair, and he leaned back, his back against me. I hugged him.

"We talked about me last night, but not you."

"There isn't much to say."

"How are you really feeling?" I put my hand over his heart. "About this parasite." He looked at the wall in front of him for a few seconds.

"Like I don't want to push the surgery back again," he admitted. "It's…heavier. I have heart palpitations more often and I can feel there is less space, like before."

"You never told me this." He smiled faintly.

"You were seeing enough of it." He took one of my hands and kissed my knuckles. "I didn't want to lose my girlfriend entirely for a nurse."

"You wouldn't hav…" He sighed.

"I would have. We both knew I was dying; I didn't want to see it all the time at home too." Home?

I moved him forward to tie his hair.

"You saw the cabin as 'home'?" I asked him, trying to keep my voice from wavering.

"You usually go home when you're not working, aren't you?"

"Sure, I just…it makes me happy to hear you say that that's all." He turned around and pushed me down on the mattress, putting his cheek against my heart. I buried my hand in his hair. "Are you scared?"

"Of the surgery?" I nodded. "I am. I'm not looking forward to being cut open, even if it is to save my life."

"Don't say it like that, Tsunade-san isn't going to butcher you." I felt him smiling faintly.

"She's still going to cut me open Akane." Before I could say anything, his face was above mine. "Don't take it too much at heart," he whispered against my lips.

"I can't help it." He furrowed his brows. "I couldn't give you a proper burial before, instead Obito took your body, Sasuke got…your eyes from it and then you were brought back but I never knew what they did to you after that."

"It wasn't me; it was a dead body." I looked away. "I won't talk like this again if it can make you feel better." I bit the inside of my cheek and nodded. "You won't need to give me a proper burial this time around."

"I better not," I said in a hoarse voice. "You die before me; I'm bringing you back just to scream at you." He chuckled.

"Understood." We looked at each other in the eyes for many, many seconds.

Itachi lips were grazing mine when the door was opened by Shinobu, Shisui behind her. They stared at us and Shinobu started to giggle, Shisui smirking. Without a word, Itachi took the pillow beneath my head and threw it at his cousin, who caught it laughing.

"You guys are leaving soon, quality time is over!" he reminded us, still laughing.

"Got it, now leave!" I screeched at them. They did and I put my hand on my face as Itachi sat at the edge of the bed, looking defeated.

I sat as well, cupped his face and kissed him deeply. He was taken back, and the kiss was over before he could return it.

"After what you got last night, don't look so defeated." I stood up, finished packing and left the room.

Just like that, we said goodbye to Shisui and left for Konoha. I mostly kept to myself until we reached the Land of Fire, the others talking about their missions and the report they would give. Itachi would always sit next to me when we were taking breaks.

The second I saw the sign saying 'Land of Fire', I started to get nervous and anxious. Kakashi nicely kicked me in the butt the second he noticed I was slowing down.

"Hey!"

"Keep moving," he told me as he was reading his book. I narrowed my eyes at him and attempted to knock his book over. He dodged. "Nice try. If you want to read them, go buy them."

"Please, I've already read all of them, I even have signed copies." It became deadly quiet.

I slowly looked above my shoulder. Yamato-senpai and Itachi had stopped walking and were looking at me strangely. I cleared my throat.

"Closet pervert," Kakashi muttered tauntingly. I managed to stomp on his foot.

"He was my connection to Konoha, he…sent more than information sometimes to…keep me from being bored and dying inside."

"Smut kept you alive in the Bloody Mist?" Yamato-senpai summed up with narrowed eyes.

"What? No! It was Jiraya-san's input, not mine!" Itachi pinched the bridge of his nose, clearly done with the situation. "It was a gift; I've read them but…"

"The third volume was the most romantic one, you've read it at least twice I bet." I tried to elbow Kakashi in the abdomen, but he used his book to stop me.

"Shut up Bakakashi."

I carefully avoided him on our last night away from Konoha. As the night was there, the flames flickering between us, I stood up and dusted my shorts.

"If you'll excuse me, I need some lady time." Kakashi scoffed.

"'Lady'…" I gave him the finger and left. I had spotted a big pond nearby earlier.

When I reached it, I sighed in relief as I moved my head around, cracking my neck. I stretched out and bent over, my hands flat on the ground and my feet apart from each other. I saw Itachi from between my legs.

"Don't mind me, I quite enjoy the view." I straightened up immediately. It was a full moon; I could see his smirk. Sure, the pond was beautiful under the moonlight, specks of silver being reflected on the smooth water, but I also saw Itachi's damned smirk.

"Why are you here?"

"You're a target." I rolled my eyes and took my boots off. "I have a shadow clone keeping watch."

"You know, lady time was a nice way to say 'alone' time." He snickered and I raised a brow at his eager eyes. "Oh, you're here with an agenda."

"Indeed." I shook my head. "I am going to have a massive surgery."

"Don't remind me." My breath was stuck in my throat when his slender fingers were on my hips. "Itachi, we've been traveling for days, I'm dirty."

"There is water two meters away," he whispered in my ear. I smiled a little.

"Are you, Uchiha Itachi, suggesting skinny-dipping at night? Scandalous." He chuckled in my ear, my obi already undone.

I moved away, glanced at him coyly above my shoulder and removed my clothes, my back to him and I jumped in the water. As I resurfaced, I heard a splash in my back. I looked around and was too late to react when Itachi stood up behind me, pushing me in the water. I looked at him and shook my head.

"It's on," I simply stated with a smirk. He raised an unimpressed brow.

He may have won the water fight that followed, I might have failed drowning him when I jumped on his back. After a few minutes, I was leaning against rocks on the opposite side of the pond. Itachi followed me and put his hands on my hips.

"Itachi…" I whispered against his lips, his fingers hot despite the water.

"You've read smut then?" I looked away. "Did it give you some ideas?"

"I'm not a pervert."

"I'm the one person who knows you are a big one," he said in a husky voice, his hand slipping between my legs. I quickly had two fingers inside of me, and I hugged his neck, throwing my head back, my legs around his waist. "I hope I live up to your expectations my love."

"Shut up and kiss me already," I mumbled with a pout. He clicked his tongue.

"So demanding." He kissed my neck. "You're such a needy girl."

"Your dick is telling me you are needy too 'tachi," I retorted in a quick breath. He shut me up with a kiss and removed his fingers.

I yelped when he was balls deep inside of me and thrusting furiously. I hold onto him for dear life, pleasure going up quickly. I was moaning in the kiss, which was messy yet passionate and hot.

"Itachi," I moaned, breathing heavily. "Yes! Yes!" He put his hand on my mouth.

"I don't want someone else to hear your pretty moans Akane," he said hotly in my ear, his hand tight on my thigh. I had both my legs around him now.

I would never get tired of feeling his heat in me, or the friction of his movements and how delirious it was making me feel.

"I'm close," I admitted after a couple of minutes, panting heavily.

"Yeah?" I nodded, his forehead against mine. "Do you want it harder?" I nodded against him, and he sped up, his pounding rougher, his hands even firmer on my body.

I came in a silent cry, barely feeling the pain in my back after the friction against the rocks. I came around him and he followed me quickly. We were both panting.

A few minutes later, we were on dry ground, a big towel wrapped around us.

"Do you remember what you promised me?" I looked at Itachi, finally tearing my eyes off the full moon. "Once I have had my surgery…you'll tell me what you're hiding from me." I licked my lips nervously.

"For now, please focus on your surgery and not that?" He frowned slightly. "I'm not trying to get out of it, even if a part of me wants to, but I don't…stress and anxiety, or worries, cannot be good before a big surgery, right?" He nodded slightly.

"I'm sure it's not." He kissed my temple and I sighed.

"I'm sorry."

"What for?"

"I can't help but feel I'm taking advantage of you." He put his chin on my head. "In Kiri I told you how confused I was, before I said we would never get back together and now we've slept together, again, even if I told your dad that it would not…" He chuckled. "What?"

"Akane, I know you. I'm not doing anything without thinking them through." I looked up at him. "We're not in a relationship." I blinked. "Don't get me wrong, it is definitely a major goal for me, but I know you don't need that right now, and neither do I to be fair."

"…then what…"

"You were vulnerable and needed someone who know you. Entirely." He cupped my cheek. "I'd be damned if I let anyone but me be there for you."

"The sex then?"

"A very enjoyable bonus." He kissed my forehead. "Don't overthink it."

"Hum…If you had not seen me in that gown at Shisui's arm…"

"I would have controlled myself better, for sure," he agreed. "And then you danced with him."

"Sometimes, I forget you get jealous."

"Hn." I cleared my throat.

"We should go back to the others." He nodded without a word. Once we were dressed, I sealed the towel back in a scroll I kept with me at all times as it was for clothes. "Hey." Itachi glanced back at me. "Is it really a good idea for me to go back? Hospital aside…I left as very unpopular." He glanced briefly at the ground before setting his onyx eyes in mine.

"It's not going to be easy; you may hear things whispered as you go on about your life, but I think it is worth it." He leaned down toward me, his hands in his pockets. "How long you are going to stay for is up to you, but the hardest is to come back once." I cupped his cheeks. He put a hand over mine and kissed my palm. "In any case, you can rely on me." I tilted my head on the side. For a fraction of second, I saw a flicker of doubt a fear in his eyes. "I know it may be hard bu…"

"No, I know. You…showed me I could count on you Itachi," I interrupted him in a whisper. "I may…doubt it when I'm going to see you with your clan and all of that but…deep down I know it. It's a matter of not letting my own problems blindside me." He sighed in relief and kissed me gently.

"You have no idea what it means to me to hear you say this," he admitted. "Let's go."

I followed him. When I was in front of the gates of the Hidden Leaf, I stopped and just stared at it, fiddling my fingers in front of me. Itachi put a comforting hand between my shoulder blades. We exchanged a quick glance and he smiled warmly at me, giving me an encouraging nod of the head. I took a deep, shaky breath and nodded back.

Minato-san rubbed his eyes when I was back in front of him in his office.

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