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

Getaway

Maeme runs into Itachi shortly after leaving the room. She stumbles backward from the impact but he smoothly catches her. She thanks him quietly as she attempts to quell the panic and anger threatening to overflow. In a single glance, he can tell she's upset just from her trembling hands, but instead of asking about it, he asks if she wants to accompany him on a mission. She nods, eager to avoid Sasori without the extra effort of avoiding Orochimaru as well. He tells her to ask Pein and he would meet her at the entrance. She thanks him and turns to head to Pein's office. Kisame blocks her path, a confident smirk stretched across his lips.

"Nothing to hide, huh? Looks like a secret hallway rendezvous to me."

The blue tinted man wiggles his brow as he looks between the blonde and his partner's retreating back. Maeme shakes her head and kicks him in the shin before ducking under his arm. Kisame curses but follows her anyway.

"We're just going on a mission together. Don't you have anything better to do than come up with fake love stories?"

"What about Sasori? I thought you weren't going to leave him."

She tenses at the puppeteer's name but shrugs.

"It's good to have some space."

"Well, don't have too much fun."

He gives her a conspiratorial wink as she enters Pein's office.

Maeme meets with Itachi at the entrance to the base a few minutes later, having cleared her departure with the leader. She peels apart the orange that she'd swiped from the kitchen counter on the way out as they make their way through the forest. Between bites she asks about where they're going and what they're doing. He tells her that it's a simple assassination a few days away. The blonde nods in understanding before extending an orange slice in his direction.

"It's good for you. Eat a slice." She insists as he declines.

"If I accept the slice will you tell me what has you so shaken up?" He asks, casting a glance at her shaking hands.

"Perhaps."

"That's not an acceptable answer."

Maeme sighs in defeat as she holds out the remaining slice to him.

"Well?" Itachi prompts as he eats.

"People have gotten on my nerves is all."

"Elaborate. You said you would tell me."

"I did." She smirks, her eyes studying the lush forest around them. "You said to tell what has me worked up. People getting on my nerves is what's wrong. You never specified the depth of detail you wanted prior to the agreement."

"Hm," He mutters. "You've got me there."

"Oh, also be prepared when we return. Kisame believes that I'm somehow having an affair with you behind Sasori's back."

"But you aren't married and we did nothing?"

"Exactly."

Maeme and Itachi travel through the night toward their destination in relative silence. Despite Sasori's unusual behavior and her resulting anger, Maeme felt strange being without him. She didn't know what his issue was with her so suddenly or why he kissed her, but she didn't want to spend her break away from it all worrying about it. Itachi stops suddenly, causing her to walk into his back. She opens her mouth to ask, but as she peeks around his back her eyes fall on Orochimaru. His eyes drift from Itachi's to hers, a sly smirk finding a way to his face.

"Hello Itachi, Maeme."

"Creep." Maeme mutters in return.

"How unusual, you don't have Sasori with you. Where's your Master?"

"How unusual, no one's killed you yet. What a shame." She growls, stepping out from behind Itachi. "Why don't you just move along and leave us alone?"

"As you wish." Orochimaru smiles at her, the gesture sending a chill down her spine.

They watch Orochimaru walk past them and wait a moment longer before continuing on. Under her breath, Maeme makes a comment about her desire to end the man's life once and for all. Itachi hums in agreement before asking what his obsession with her was about. She explains the connection to her parents but doesn't know why he is focused on her specifically. She holds back a yawn as she finishes her explanation and stretches her arms upward.

"I wouldn't trust him."

"I would never let him near me unless it was so I could kill him."

Maeme looks up through the forest canopy at the midday sun, having not realized how long they'd been traveling.

"Looks like we're making good time." She grumbles, failing to hide the disappointment in her voice.

"Do you hate the base that much?" Itachi asks as he glances down at her grey eyes lit by the sun's rays.

"It's not that I hate it, I'm just- I just... I can't handle everything right now. I've spent every day in Sasori's company while simply trying to avoid that creep back there. Now things have changed between Sasori and myself, possibly forever, so I have to avoid him as well. I don't know where that leaves me. I only joined to fulfill my duties involving Sasori. What do I do now? I'm still going to protect him, but I serve no further purpose."

Itachi's hand gently lands on top of her head, ruffling her blonde locks.

"That purpose is for you to decide. Kisame and I will be around if you need company of another or somewhere to hide."

She bats away his hand to fix her hair, thanking him quietly. Maeme feels her face warm as she remembers waking up in his arms only two nights ago. She knew there was no way she could have feelings for him since she didn't believe in that sort of thing, but she couldn't explain the way she felt around him. She tries in vain to shake away those thoughts, accidently drawing his attention back to her.

"Your face is red. Are you getting sick?"

Itachi leans down so his face is near hers as the back of his hand presses against her forehead.

"N-No. I'm fine. Let's keep going. How far away are we?" She stammers, laughing awkwardly as she quickly moves past him.

He smirks as he straightens and watches her try and fail to keep herself together.

"Two more hours. When we get close to the village, I want you to wait for me. I will return as soon as possible and we will start back."