The Secrets We Keep *COMPLETE* (Sasori x OC? / Itachi x OC?)

Coward

Sasori enters the bedroom he shares with Maeme and finds her on her bed, her head resting on her knees. She peeks up at him through her bangs before mumbling for him to go away. He ignores the request and settles down at his desk. He waits patiently for her to say something but she remains silent so he changes tactic.

"Why did his words provoke you so badly?"

Her expression darkens as she averts her gaze.

"He brought up my parents. I never told anyone... Their deaths were never publically announced either. He killed them, didn't he?"

"It's possible, but that isn't what I was referring to."

She sighs and runs a hand through her hair. Sasori studies her quietly, his thoughts going back to four years ago to the young girl softly crying in front of his door. He should've known back then that was what happened, but he just never put it together.

"I've been training with Kisame and Itachi to improve my skills outside of my jutsu."

"Why?"

"I couldn't defend myself, as Orochimaru pointed out. You had to step in and save me and I can't handle that. Your life is more important than mine. You put yourself in danger to protect me when I'm supposed to do that for you." She explains, looking up at him finally.

"That's stupid." He replies simply.

Her expression hardens and her next words surprise both of them.

"Fuck off." She snarls.

Maeme had never gotten mad at Sasori before, never even raised her voice toward him. He opens his mouth to ask a question but just as a sound leaves his lips, the door slams shut leaving a breeze in her wake.

Itachi looks up from the book in his hands to catch a flicker of gold in the room, then nothing. Beside him, his partner doesn't seem to acknowledge the girl's passage through the room so Itachi casually brings it up. Kisame tenses at the mention of Maeme before shaking his head.

"There's no way she was in here. I would've seen or heard her."

"I believe she holds back more than she lets on. Orochimaru has riled her up to the point her control is faltering." He pauses, a smirk crossing his lips for a second. "I wonder what would happen if she snapped."

"Should we go hand Orochimaru over to her then see what happens?" Kisame chuckles.

"I don't believe that will be necessary." Itachi replies, his eyes following Orochimaru as the man heads in the direction she had gone."

"What is his obsession with her anyway?"

"It's likely the same as everyone else. She's a bit of a mystery. Maeme just showed up without explanation, pretending to be his subordinate in order to stay with him. She's skilled but has yet to showcase her abilities. She has potential."

"She could barely fight without relying on her jutsu. I don't see much skill or potential." Kisame comments, his disdain for the blonde showing.

"But how quickly did she pick up on the training we provided? Living in a predominantly dry climate meant she didn't have to deal with water jutsu often. She excelled in what she knew worked."

Sounds of shouting and muffled thuds come from the other room, so Itachi closes his book and the pair make their way toward the source of the noise. "

Maeme wasn't sure where she wanted to go when she left Sasori, but she passed Itachi and Kisame in one of the main rooms and finally stopped in the kitchen. She simply wants to eat a small lunch in peace before training off her anger. Her peace doesn't last long as the object of her hatred enters the room. She glowers at him from her perch on the countertop next to the stove while waiting for the water to boil. He doesn't look at her, but the sickening smirk stretching across his face as he sits at the table lets her know he's aware of her presence. Orochimaru slowly peels an apple with a kunai while openly staring at her since she dropped her gaze.

"You killed my parents, didn't you?" Her voice comes out softly, scarcely heard even in the quiet of the room.

"They betrayed my trust."

Her fingers tighten around the pot handle while she attempts to control her breathing and the anger threatening to surface.

"They should've killed you." She hisses. "You left a child without parents."

"You're a ninja, Maeme, it happens." He cuts in.

"They were good people!"

"They were double agents and thieves."

"You liar!"

"Poor simple little girl, believing the lies her parents fed her. Thinking like that will get you killed." He chuckles at the last part, making her hands tremble.

"What do you want from me?" She asks.

"You want to keep the puppet boy alive, willing to die for him even, but how could you protect him if you are weak? I could help you more than this organization ever could. Give yourself to me and I will help you realize your full potential." He offers with a smile.

"I would never allow you to get anywhere near me."

"Such a shame. You're a coward. Just like your parents."