Redemption In Your Eyes

Frontal Tension

Itachi crossed his arms, scowling into the darkness of the bedroom as Aster slid onto the mattress. It was too late in the day for them to make any difference by leaving Konoha, and the six hour wait was eating away at him. Sighing heavily, he paced the foot of the bed as Aster watched warily.

"Itachi, there's nothing we can do," she spoke softly, trying to calm his sizzling nerves. "Everyone needs to rest, and the news has to sink in..." He seemed to ignore her as he came to halt and stood facing the window once more. "Sit down at least..."

Finally he acknowledged her. "You want me to sit down and sleep? When Akatsuki is slipping right through our fingers?" His voice was quiet, but his words harsh.

"Yes- I do!" Aster stood, making herself impossible to overlook. "Relax a bit! Being tense and high strung won't help any of us!" Itachi narrowed his eyes at her, unwilling to admit the truth she spoke. "At this rate we're going to run out and get ourselves killed before we can do anything!"

"No one is going to get killed," He shot back sharply. "I'll make sure of that."

"And what about you?" The intention of her side of the conversation suddenly became apparent. "Who's going to make sure you don't get killed?!"

"I can take care of myself."

The frustration left Aster's face and she gave him a defeated look. "Really? Do you know that for a fact?" Itachi remained silent, refusing to reply as she drew him down beside her. "There's no real way of telling what will happen... Do me a favor and lay down..."

There was a stubborn moment in which he remained silent before complying. "Fine." Aster pushed on his chest gently as he leaned back and curled next to him. "..."

She waited, staring at him intently. He gazed at the ceiling, eyes unmoving, and showing no signs of attempting to sleep. "Itachi...?" Aster's arm slid over him and he tucked his hands under his head.

"You're annoying me..." He told her evenly.

She smirked. "I know."

Odd as it was, her snide answer settled him. "That's good to hear," he replied in the same tone, pulling her on top of him.

They lay on the bed, still and thoughtful for a while. Itachi's stress diminished slowly and he sank towards sleep. The shift of Aster's weight jolted him back to full awareness.

"Are you still upset with me?" The question was quiet and reached for his ears timidly.

He tightened his hold on her before responding. "No."

"Oh." Aster leaned forward, hesitating before delicately pressing her mouth to his. Unaccustomed to following her lead, he paused rather than meeting her with confidence. They twisted together for a moment as she set her weight comfortably over him. His hand found the hem of her night shirt and gently pushed it up between her shoulder blades. There was a temporary break for air until he pulled her back down. This time they were more forceful and she opened her mouth uncertainly as his tongue prodded her lips. She curled her fingers in his hair as he explored her mouth. Suddenly the need to breath clenched both their chests and they drew back in unison.

An awkward moment passed as they stared at each other, breathing heavily. Itachi tugged her shirt back to its previous position before propping himself on his elbows. In a daze, Aster watched him in disorientation.

"We should get some sleep..." He told her shakily.

Her eyes widened and then she nodded, abruptly understanding. "Yeah," she agreed unsteadily as she slid off of him.

The sun was bright, even though barely over the horizon. Hinata grimaced as Sakura stumbled beside her assertively. The current heads of the Hyuuga household hadn't been pleased to be awakened so early, but they had also consented to hand over their heir without explanation to the Hokage's apprentice. A shudder rippled through Hinata as she continued to watch the other girl in trepidation.