The Black Leaf (Part 1)

Chapter 41: The Truth

I was heading back to the hideout when Pein telepathically communicated with us. He instructed us to go to the nearest hideout in the Land of Fire. Maybe Itachi already teleported there, I thought.

"Well, I'll see you guys there," Zetsu said disappearing in the ground.

"Well, I have enough clay to make a bird for one," Deidara looked at me, "I can come back for you love."

"No need, I'll take her," Tobi said holding his hand out for me.

"What no, I'll walk with her if that's the case," Deidara glared at Tobirama.

"I'll see you there Dei," I went took Tobi's hand and we disappeared. Once in the hideout, I let go of Tobi and went for Itachi's room. I was on the hallway when I heard Kisame talking to him.

"You need to tell her," he said, "she loves you and this is something you shouldn't be doing alone."

"Kisame," Itachi said in a low voice, I knew he was aware of my presence.

I opened the door slowly and looked at him seating on the bed, he looked paler, and he was skinnier. "Hi," I whispered with a smiled, "are you okay?" I asked him.

"I think I'm going to go take a nap," Kisame said leaving.

Itachi held his hand out for me, I took it and sat on the bed next to him. He looked at his hands for a while then spoke, "you know I love you right?" his gazed still on his hands.

"Yes," I replied.

"I want you to go back to the Leaf," he said in low voice.

"What?" I searched for his face, but he avoided my eyes, "Itachi look at me." He slowly moved his gazed until it met mine, "why would you ask me that? You know I can't go back there, especially after today."

"They will take you in, I know, they will," he said confident.

"I don't want to go," I told him and I could feel tears forming in my eyes, "I'm not leaving you."

"Izu, a day is going to come when I am not going to be around anymore." He said holding my hand, "and when that day comes, I want you to be safe."

"Itachi what are you hiding?" I asked him, "what aren't you telling me?"

"We are criminals Izumi, we are wanted by everyone and we won't be around forever," he said with a weak smile, "I just want you to be safe."

"The only safe place for me is by your side," I hugged him tight and he hugged me back. "I missed you so much Itachi," I whispered.

"I missed you too, Izu" he whispered back. He wrapped his arm around my waist and pulled me down to the bed with him. It had been a while since I have seen Itachi. We kissed and hugged each other until there was a knock on the door.

"Pein wants us to stay put here for a week or so," Zetsu said, "so enjoy yourselves."

"Thank you Zets," I told him.

Itachi and I spend most of our time together in his room. I was concerned because he slept a lot and Kisame was avoiding me. I wanted to ask him about Itachi's health, but he was always busy or with someone else. I thought about what Itachi had said, and I knew something wasn't right. I took a shower and walked to Itachi's room, he was awake and just staring at the celling. I jumped in bed next to him and hugged him.

"Are you feeling better?" I asked and looked up to meet his eyes. He just smiled and leaned down to pressed his lips on mine. Slowly and softly our lips connected more and more. I crawled over him and cupped his face with my hands. I pulled away slightly and looked him in the eyes, his gazed seemed like he was looking right into my soul, "I love you Itachi" I whispered.