Naruto Yaoi series

One preciouis night.

Deidara sat on his bed, his legs crossed as he thoroughly brushed his hair. He had just gotten out of the shower, and was combing through knots and tangles in his silky blonde hair. Water dripped onto the bed, and Deidara was sure Sasori would hate him for that later. But right now, Deidara could care less what Sasori thought. He had his mind on other things, better things than the grumpy old redhead that was his partner.

He heard the door open and close softly, and he smiled happily to himself. Itachi walked in and took the brush from Deidara's hands and did it himself. They didn't need to say anything, they could tell what each other was feeling by body language, expressions, tension…they were connected in many ways, as if they were twins and had been together their entire lives.

Deidara leaned against Itachi's chest as he ran the brush through the curtains of shining hair. He closed his eyes and sighed blissfully, drinking in Itachi's sweet, firm scent that reminded him of snow. Clean, crisp and deep, but still unbelievably beautiful.

Itachi stopped brushing for a second to run his fingers through blonde locks, pushing it aside to nuzzle Deidara's neck affectionately. This time, Itachi was the one admiring his lover's scent. Deidara's scent was so nostalgic, so relaxing. It was almost milky, like a newborn baby next to his mother. Deidara was young, much younger than Itachi, and it was obvious. While Itachi's face was thin and lined with battle-worn wrinkles, Deidara's face was still round and colorful, full of life and curiosity. He never had time to experience life, to enjoy being carefree and ignorant. But he had joined the Akatsuki when he was very young, so he never had a chance to see what it was like to be a normal person. Though Deidara handled everything so well…

It was late evening, and almost everyone was getting ready for bed. Sasori was currently away from his workshop, so Deidara had a rare moment alone. He was glad Itachi had timed it well, so he appeared just as Sasori had left.

"Our mission's tonight," Itachi reminded him. "You should get ready." Deidara didn't answer. He was still busy basking in Itachi's warmth, wanting life to be this sweet and innocent. Being a member of the Akatsuki, every day was hell, risking your life and killing people left and right…but when Deidara managed to scrape up these little moments with Itachi, he could almost forgot what a hopeless life he lived.

Pein had assigned them a pretty quick, easy mission, since Itachi and Deidara weren't partners to begin with. They were sent to assassinate a high priest and take his sacred scrolls, which Pein wanted for god knows why, and if they happened to pass up some gold or jewels on their way out, they weren't afraid to pick up a couple handfuls.

Itachi and Deidara departed soon after sundown with their weapons pouch, blankets and water. They'd spend the night somewhere outside, well out of sight, and travel the rest of the way to the Land Hidden in the Mist in the morning. They were good at concealing their identities, so pretending they were just lost stragglers wouldn't be hard. Besides, it wasn't like they would run into anyone at this time of night. Deidara thought this was a perfect chance for him and Itachi to catch up without having to worry about a difficult mission.

The rest of the Akatsuki didn't know about Itachia and Deidara's secret relationship, and they planned to keep it that way. Nobody needed to know about them, they liked their privacy. In a group like this, there was hardly any time for love, and it usually ended in heartbreak anyway. Deidara hoped and prayed he would never have to watch Itachi die, or vice versa, but being in the bloodthirsty Akatsuki, anything was possible.

Deidara shook his head, telling himself not to think such terrible thoughts. Things were good now, and that's all he cared about.

When it started to get darker, Itachi suggested they rest for the night. He chose a giant oak tree overgrown with leaves and moss, a good place to stay warm while they slept.