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

Explosive

Five months pass awkwardly for Maeme as she adjusted to being with Itachi and dealt with the feelings she thought she'd never have. Sasori's strange interactions with her and the routine deaths of his partners didn't help her either. Riku, the one who replaced Gin, only survived two weeks before dying in battle, and five others either were killed by Sasori or were killed in action. Being around Itachi was surprisingly the easiest part since they spent time together before, but the emotional and physical components were completely new to her. Sasori didn't speak to her often, which wasn't uncommon, but she noticed he seemed to show more concern for her during their missions.

Maeme says goodbye to Itachi at the entrance of the base before heading back to the training room. She lets out a soft sigh as her eyes fall on Sasori's newest partner Akihito, who is grinning at her. He joined a week before the last partner died and Sasori tasked her with testing his abilities to make sure he won't be 'entirely useless'. His eyes pass up and down her body, lingering in a few choice areas, making her skin crawl. Her fingers twitch as a kunai leaves her hand sailing toward the center of his forehead. He leans backward as it passes by.

"Sexy and feisty. I like it." He purrs.

Maeme stops a few feet away and scowls, crossing her arms over her chest.

"Alright, listen here Pig. I am only going to say this once. If you want to live you will keep your disgusting little thoughts to yourself and you will not lay a finger on me. Do you understand?"

"Aw, come on Angel Face, you know you want me to rock your world."

He closes the distance between them and grabs her butt.

Maeme brings her knee up to his groin, missing but putting distance between them again. She quickly draws two kunai and swings upward, cursing as he swiftly dodges her attacks. The two fall into a rhythm of harsh blows and counters, Maeme's anger growing with each strike.

"So, tell me, why are you so intent on killing a man for appreciating the female form?" He asks, his bright blue eyes twinkling in amusement.

"Because creepy little vermin like you make my job significantly harder. But you shouldn't worry about me killing you." She explains, smirking as she kicks him backward across the room. "Trust me, when you leave this room you may not survive another day."

"I'm sure that given the chance any of the other males in this base would have a field day with you." Akihito retorts as he gets to his feet.

"The other men in this base understand the risks that come from trying to mess with me."

"Hey there Maeme, what are you doing?"

Maeme casts a greeting to Kisame as he watches their fight move around the room.

"I was supposed to be testing this idiot's abilities, but now I just want to remove his hands and violently re-home them inside his body."

Kisame laughs as he settles against a wall. "Good job. You really messed up there, didn't you?"

"You can't tell me that you wouldn't love a piece of her." Akihito calls out, ducking her punch.

"But where you and I differ is that I know who she works for and who would murder you without hesitation for touching her."

"He's lucky that no one else is here." Maeme growls, bringing her hand out as spikes jut up from the ground. "He grabbed my ass."

"Ooh, it was nice knowing you." Kisame snickers.

Maeme rushes up the length of a spike and jumps off, launching herself onto his back. Akihito crashes to the ground and Maeme firmly stomps her foot onto his back.

"You're not entirely worthless when fighting, but I guarantee you won't last long. Count your blessings that you're still alive right now."

Maeme allows him to stand as she makes her way over to Kisame and leans against the wall beside him. She runs her fingers through her hair before pulling it back away from her face, uttering complaints about her luck with Sasori's partners. Her eyes widen as blood sprays the room around them and covers her clothing. Kisame and Maeme both turn back toward Akihito to find Sasori standing in his place, the blood centered around a spot in front of him.

"Dammit Sasori, you're never going to have a partner if you don't stop killing them! Where did you even come from!?" Maeme snaps.

"He was useless." He mutters before leaving the room.

"Did you have to make him explode though!?" She calls after him before sighing. "This is the third one he's killed for either touching me or merely threatening contact."

"He seems protective of you now. I wonder..." Kisame trails off, smirking at his thoughts.

"Do I want to know what you're thinking?"

"Maybe not. So, have you told Itachi yet?"

Her expression blanks as she begins to wipe the blood from her face.

"You need to tell him." He presses.

"I know," she sighs. "but there's a difference between choosing to protect and being bound to protect. It could change things."

"True, but are you willing to risk everything by telling the truth or waiting until something happens and he finds out another way? Secrets don't always stay secrets."

"I'll figure something out." She mumbles before leaving the room.

Maeme steps into the kitchen only to find Itachi staring at her, his eyes full of concern. Before she can speak, he leaves the stove and starts to look her over for injuries. She waves him off and explains that Sasori killed the newest partner while she was talking to Kisame. He seems to reluctantly accept her explanation and offers to prepare lunch for her while she cleans herself up. She casts a look back toward the training room where Kisame is and debates on staying to avoid Kisame potentially telling him, but thanks Itachi and heads off to shower.