Inferno (A Naruto Fanfic Book 4)

Chapter 38

We were headed to leave the village when Itachi grabbed my arm. "We need to eat."

I pulled away. "Not hungry." He sighed and took my hand, pulling me into a tea shop. I reluctantly sat in my seat as he ordered.

I looked up as I felt the Sand Siblings approach. "Kunoichi!" Kankuro went for a hug, but my gaze brought him up short. "Something... wrong?"

I shrugged. "It doesn't matter."

Temari looked between Itachi and I. "Just you two?"

I nodded. "The others are busy."

Kankuro smiled. "So... about that dinner, then?"

Itachi gave him a deadly look. "No."

Temari snickered. "Looks like she's taken Kankuro."

I saw the same smile playing in Gaara's eyes as I did Konoha. "Something to say, Gaara?"

His face didn't betray him. "Nothing."

I shrugged as our food came as Kankuro frowned. "Are you two together or something?"

I took a sip of water. "Or something."

Temari clapped his shoulder, laughing. "Too bad, Kankuro. Come on, let's leave them alone."

I looked back at Gaara. "See you at the finals." He gave me a slight nod before following the others.

Itachi watched them go. "Possessive." He looked at me and nodded. "No worries, Itachi, I don't see him in that way." We ate in silence while I sorted my thoughts. Lady Tsunade... will she be willing to help?

When we finally left the village, I waited til we were out of the desert to pause. "We'll stop in a nearby village for the night."

Itachi looked at me concerned. "You're distant..."

I met his gaze. "Tsunade's difficult to find... even more difficult to work with at times."

He wrapped his arms around me. "It's okay."

I held back my tears. "No, it's not." I pulled away from him. "If I had been there sooner or..."

Itachi shook his head. "I'm alive because of you."

I sighed. "And I plan to keep it that way." I sat under a tree, and he sat beside me. I leaned into him. If I hadn't been so selfish, you wouldn't be sick. This would be unnecessary.

I heard a rustling in the underbrush and opened my eyes. Itachi...

Yeah... We stood as black cloaks with red clouds came into view. Itachi stood in front of me. "Well, what do we have here?"

I recognized the two instantly but stayed out of view. "Hidan... this is very fortunate indeed. Itachi Uchiha..."

Hiding laughed. "An Uchiha?! Hell yeah, I'll enjoy sacrificing you... Kakazu, I got this."

I stepped from behind him. "You two will do no such thing, or do we need to relive our last encounter, Hidan?"

He paled. "Kunoichi? What the hell are you doing here?"

I fearlessly met his gaze. "Does it matter?"

He deflated. "Well..." He looked at Itachi, then back at me. "No."

I turned to leave. "Find your bounty elsewhere, Kakazu. I would hate to have to kill you as well."

He thought for a moment. "You know whose head I would love to have?"

I smirked back at him. "I can only imagine."

He met my gaze and then looked at Itachi. "Seems Shisui and the head of the Uchiha clan have become very popular as of late."

I looked at Itachi. "He is neither."

Kakazu raised an eyebrow. "So... fair game?"

I shrugged. "Do as you will with them, but any harm comes to those I care for... well, you know the deal."

He chuckled. "Good..."

We went out separate ways, Itachi silent behind me. "Yes, I know them. Yes, I just gave them permission to kill Shisui and your father if they wanted."

Itachi looked at me curiously. "More of the Akatsuki... are you sure you are not one of them?"

I shook my head. "No, but I do know most of them, til they die, of course."

He nodded. "You said you trust them with your life."

I nodded as well. "Most of them. I have a unique relationship with them. We're almost there." I glided through the trees, thinking. Maybe Zetsu...

When we came to the village, I was greeted warmly by a group of children. "Lady Kunoichi! You've returned! We heard you died! I knew it wasn't true!" I laughed as I tried to calm the babbling children.

Itachi watched from a distance amused. You're a ton of help...

He inwardly chuckled. You're good with kids... I saw a thought flash through his mind and looked at him. I shook it off and finally got the kids to disperse. I held my hand out to him and approached the inn.

The receptionist smiled when she saw us enter. "Lady Kunoichi, so the rumors weren't true."

I returned the smile. "Yes and no."

She looked between us. "So... is this your husband?"

I blinked at her. "No, I'm not married."

She smiled sweetly. "Well then, two rooms?"

I shook my head. "One, but separate hot springs, please."

She looked confused, and I felt Itachi's amusement and confusion. What?

Separate baths?

I fought my blush. Yes, is that a problem?

He chuckled. Not at all.

The receptionist gave us the keys and directions then we went to our room. "See you in a bit."

Itachi grabbed my hand and pulled me to him. "Not yet." He planted a kiss on my lips and pulled back.

I giggled and tried to push him away. "The hot springs call Uchiha." He kissed me again, deeper this time. I relented, wrapping my arms around his neck. All my dark thoughts from earlier faded into the background.

His tongue skated against my lips, requesting access. I opened, and we began to duel for dominance. I felt at a disadvantage, so I lifted myself up and wrapped my legs around his waist. I bit his tongue, which caused him to inhale sharply. I smiled and kissed his jawline. He shifted my weight, and I felt his length against me. I paused, looking into his eyes, I saw his internal struggle and smiled softly. "Yes, separate baths."

He leaned his forehead into mine. "Good call."

I dismounted and went for the door. "Let's go, Uchiha." He chuckled and followed after me. This will be hard...