Do you Beleaf?

Chapter 9: Connecting Hearts

Nicoole POV
Those idiots both got defeated. I was currently running toward the next nearest hideout to meet up with Itachi.

"They are idiots aren't they?" Zestu appeared from the ground. I paused and felt a bit disgusted at the sight of him. "One of them are alive though, I'm going to go retrieve him." He smiled and disappeared. Never liked that guy.

I enetered the hideout which had the usual couch and fridge. I went to get some water. "Damn they forgot to restock on food." I sighed. I felt a hand on my shoulder.

I twirled around and faces Itachi.

"Hey." I smiled up at him. He smiled down at me and looked into my eyes intensely. He handed me a water, not breaking eye contact. I laughed and looked away to drink some water. I was going to go sit down but he grabbed my wrist.

He brought me close and whispered into my ear. "I hope you're allegiance hasn't wavered." I looked at him with my eyes wide.

"Of course not." I got closer to him and brushed my lips lightly onto his not completely kissing him. "Wherever you go, who ever you're loyal to, is who I'm loyal to." Our faces were close together. He grabbed my face lightly and pulled me closer and we kissed intently.

"You two are so damn weird." Deidara entered the room looking irritated. I laughed at the sight of him.

"Yeah were weird. At least I didn't lose my fight. But I see you lost your arms the ones you know you needed to create your ugly art." I spatted at him. I gripped Itachi's hand.

"Hey! They are not ugly." Deidara protested. Zetsu I laughed along with me. "Oh shut it!" Deidara walked into another room sulking.

"I shall be taking my leave." Zestu states. He once again disappeared.

"He's so creepy." I whispered to Itachi.

"Can't Be helped." He guided me toward the couch to sit. "You should rest. You ran into the two, from what I heard. Is that right?" I leaned on his shoulder and sighed.

"Yeah."

"How was that?" He questioned.

"Fun, actually. They became stronger." I closed my eyes and started to feel myself drifting into sleep.

"Goodnight." I heard him say as he kissed my cheek.

***Dream/ Flashback***

Shanel and Leslie were still sleeping in today, so I decided to go see Itachi. I being the oldest between the three of us was probably the closest in age to Itachi, so I grabbed first dibs to have a crush on him. Besides Leslie and Shanel were three years younger than me so I had every right.

"Hi Itachi-Senpai!" I waved towards him. He smiled at me and approached me.

"Long time no see Nicoole." He was wearing his Anbu gear.

"Are you going on a mission today?" I questioned. He nodded his head. I must of looked disappointed because he patted my head then flicked my forehead.
"Next time we can hang out, I promise." He gave me a smile. I felt my cheeks feel hot and rubbed my forehead. He waved goodbye and I was in the middle of the street somewhat still daydreaming about the moment I had with him.

"Wow so cuuuteee." Shanel laughed as she appeared next to me. What speed and when did you?

"You should confess Nicooler than you." Leslie appeared from the corner. She was carrying something. Actually Shanel was too.

"Were you so caught up with Itachi that you forgot what today is?" Shanel asked. She gave me a forgiving smile.

"Sensei birthday! I won't forget such an important day." I grabbed my gift out of my pouch.

"I can't wait to give it to him, he's gonna be so happy!" Leslie got excited and jumped up and down.

"We should get going." Shanel motioned for us to go.

-
A few moments later we were at an open field that was in The Hidden Leaf. Our sensei was waiting for us there.

"Hi Akio-Sensei!" The three of us waived. He smiled at us and opened his arms. "Happy birthday!" We each gave him a gift.

"Haha, Thank you Team 1!!" He laughed. He looked really happy. All of us looked really happy, Shanel was laughing, Leslie was smiling and somewhat childlike still(well personality wise) and I...I was still naive.

-
The memories of a more easier but oblivious time came rushing back to me. I opened my eyes as sweat rolled down my face.

"You were sleeping heavily there. I didn't wake you up for the meeting." Itachi was standing in front of me.

"Sorry. I hope I didn't disappoint..." Itachi stopped me from finishing my sentence.

"Nothing you could ever do could disappoint me." He brought my face closer to his. Instead of kissing me he flicked my forehead like old times.

"Ow." We both laughed.

"I'll be heading out with Kisame for a few days." He paused. "Do you want to join me? If not, you would have to guard this hideout with Deidara..."

"I want to go! Anything but staying with Deidara!" I begged. He smiled and took my hand.

"We're leaving in five." His face became stern and serious. I hurried and rushed to get ready. Break time was over.

"All the memories are just memories now. We cannot go back to the times where everything was oblivious...when I was naive." I whispered to myself. I grabbed my pouch and waited by the door.

"Let's go." With his words we left the hideout and met up with Kisame. It was going to be a long journey wherever we were going.

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Back at the Hidden Sand village

Shanel POV

"I can't believe that they sent you back so soon!" Kankuro laughed. I kept a straight face and sighed.

"Well the Hokage believes that you all trust me. And since Naruto is training I was the only one able to go on this mission." I explained.

"Well what about Leslie?" Kankuro questioned.

"She's a medical ninja. She's needed elsewhere. I'm a former Anbu member and now a Jonin who goes on solo missions usally. We don't always work together. In fact the last mission before the Hidden sand mission previously, was..." I paused a moment realizing that...

"Shanel?" Temari looked at me confused.

"Never mind previous  missions are not important."I paused again. "What is important is what's happening now." I trailed off.

"I do apologize if it brought forth any unwanted memories." Gaara apologized looking straight at me.  I looked at him and shook my head.

"No it's just the last mission with my entire team ended with my Sensei being killed, and one of our teammates going rogue." I said bluntly. They looked at me surprised.

"Oh." Kankuro started. "I'm sorry" he apologized looking away from me.

"It's all in the past so it doesn't...matter now." I gave him a fake smile. "I will keep in touch. I should head back to the leaf once again." I bowed and waved goodbye.