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

Confrontation

Maeme and Sasori part ways once they enter the base; Sasori to report on his mission and Maeme to wash away the dried blood and dirt caked to her body before being spotted by Kisame or Itachi. She enters the hall containing her room and pauses as her eyes fall on a tall man leaving the room across the hall. His bright green eyes draw her attention as they pass over her. She shakes her head lightly, wondering just how many people will be coming and going from the Akatsuki every time she turns around, before walking to her door.

"You see nothing." She tells him, feeling his curious stare.

"You look like shit."

She pauses, hand on the knob, and scowls.

"You're not quite a looker yourself."

"Ooh, Maeme's back!"

Maeme tenses as Kisame's voice sounds from somewhere behind her.

"Shit, I have to go." She mutters before rushing into the room, leaving the new member and Kisame behind.

Maeme returns to her room, clean and freshly bandaged and uneasy about facing Itachi. Sasori enters the room and informs her that he has been paired with one of the other members whose partner was killed last week. She nods, reminded again of how little she paid attention to the base. She spent most of her time with Kisame or Itachi or training in between missions. Every so often she would notice a new face or two in passing but never bothered to introduce herself.

"So what is the real reason you killed Gin?" She asks as she settles on her bed to sew her jacket.

She waits patiently for him to speak while stitching the holes in her jacket.

"He made remarks that I didn't care for."

"Meaning...?" She presses, watching as he tenses up at his desk.

"Even though you are my subordinate, I won't tolerate the level of disrespect he had toward you."

Maeme pauses mid-stitch as she realizes what he means.

"Was that what he was talking about after I said that you and I aren't together?"

"In a disgusting amount of detail."

She nods and finishes her jacket before getting to her feet. As she heads toward the door, she stops and turns back to Sasori.

"Thank you, you cranky puppet man."

In the hall, Maeme looks down at the outfit she had chosen at random and sighs. A black tank top and dark blue loose pants. Her major injuries are fully visible. She debates on going back to change, but faces the inevitable and heads to Itachi's room. The door is closed, so she gently knocks before opening it and stepping inside. He looks up at her from his spot on the bed, leaned back against the wall with a stack of books beside him on the table. A small smile crosses his face before quickly fading as his eyes rake over her bandaged shoulder and wrapped wrist.

"I thought I asked you to be safe." He says softly, placing the book on the table as he gets to his feet.

"Tell that to the guy that attacked me." She mumbles as he lifts her hand to kiss it before lightly kissing her shoulder in turn.

"Were you alone when it happened?"

"No, Gin and Sasori were there. The initial attack was aimed for Sasori so I took care of it myself."

"No one stepped in?"

"It's not Sasori's job to protect me. Gin was ordered not to interfere. I am fine Itachi."