Redemption In Your Eyes

In Truth

Itachi sighed as Aster shifted in the crook of his arm. The bed was soft, and the sheets were warm. His first thought was to curse the morning light, but that was a pointless thing to do and he dismissed the idea.

"I have to get there soon..." she mumbled against his chest.

"Another meeting?" he sounded exasperated, and was tempted to roll and over forget he had woken up at all.

She sat up and cold air invaded the space where she had been. The bed wasn't warm, Aster was. "I have to."

He nodded, slowly coming around. "Of course, I know that. It doesn't mean I enjoy having my bedside heater taken away every morning..."

Gentle laughter wafted him through the fog of weariness. "I'm the portable heater now?" She giggled again.

Itachi turned onto his stomach, still unwilling to wake all the way. "You're going to be late..." he muttered, not in the mood for a battle of the wits.

"Touché." Aster prodded him. "You need to get up as well."

"All in good time, all in good time..."

A wicked smirk came over her, and he didn't even need to look to know of its presence. "And the time is good now." She tugged at his shoulder gently. "Rise and shine, love; we have hell to face... again."

Sitting up, Itachi became even more acutely aware of the desire to sleep. "Rise and shine... What a bunch of crap."

Aster nodded, "That may be true, but I'd like to have our little talk before I have to go."

Our little talk... Why do I think this isn't so little? "Hm," he made the sound in acknowledgement as he dragged himself out of the bed to dress properly.

In a few minutes they were both ready to go. Itachi made his way toward the bedroom door, but Aster stepped in front, blocking him. He stopped, surprised by her actions, and even more caught off guard as she locked the door.

"I want to talk in here..." she read his expression. "Without interruptions..."

Itachi settled back on the newly made bed. "And what are we discussing?"

Leaning back against the door, Aster gave him a sober once-over. "Your training regime with Sasuke..."

Surprise was evident on his face yet again. It was the last thing he expected to be discussing at the moment. "What about the training regime?"

Aster began to back down, crossing her arms nervously. "I think..." she gathered her courage as she cleared her throat. "I think it's too intense."

"Too intense?" It was another curve ball in the long line she'd thrown him. "I fail to see what you mean..."

Itachi watched, completely captivated by the oddity of the comment. Not so long ago, she had begged for training of the same level, and now she was against it. Aster looked him eye, and he met her gaze, giving her a respectful amount of consideration. "Well... The both you... You and Sasuke look absolutely horrid. Neither of you appear to be sleeping right, and you're both half-dead and abnormally docile... In simple terms, I'm worried about you..." It all came out in a hasty flood, and she turned a deep red at the last admission.

He shook his head. "Those things aren't only because a merciless training schedule." Itachi pointed out.

Aster persisted, "But it certainly doesn't help to over exert yourselves.. You were the one who told me to take it easy before. We need to be ready for anything at any time. That means the training should encourage progress, but not tire and injure the trainee. You both have passed that border of safety, and you both need rest." She paused, trying to convey her seriousness with facial expressions. Grudgingly, she added, "Please."