Ashes (A Naruto Fanfic Book 6)

Chapter 1

I sat back in my seat. "You can't be serious."  Before me sat Chihiro, Neji, and Pinky.  "Do we look like fools?"

A vein popped up on Sakura's forehead.  "Are you calling Lady Tsunade a liar?"

I looked at her, amused.  "You've adopted her anger problem... you should get that checked out."  She went to slam her fist on the table, but she broke my ice barrier instead.   Impressive... "Pinky... we really do enjoy this restaurant, please don't ruin it for us."

Chihiro cleared her throat.  "Kunoichi, this is no trap, and we really want you all to come home."

I looked at Ryo, who shrugged.  "We're not in danger. We aren't the criminals."

I sighed and looked at Itachi.  "I trust your decision..."

He looked at me, conflicted.  "We can't be expected to just walk in without insurance."

Neji nodded.  "As expected, however..."

Chihiro averted her gaze.  "She wants to give it to you herself."

I bit my tongue and looked down at my hands.  "Then she should have come herself..."

Chihiro huffed.  "If this was you two years ago, you would have happily gone just to see if they would try to capture you."

I scowled and averted my gaze.  "Several people would be highly upset if it were to happen... I can't go around disappointing them right now."

Itachi laced his fingers through mine as Sakura rolled her eyes.  "Fine... what do you want?"

I thought for a moment.  I want Pein and Konan to come.

I felt his surprise.  Are you sure?

I looked up at him, and he tightened the grip on my hand.  "Okay, here are our terms."

Convincing the Leaf nin was too easy. The same could not be said for Pein and Konan.  They were worried, but above all else, they were furious with how the whole situation was handled.  We sat across from disapproving glares, seemingly unfazed.

"Kunoichi, the risk isn't worth it."  Konan was pleading for us to reconsider.

I smiled.  "That's why I want you guys to come.  Killing a few Leaf nin and escaping will be almost too easy with you there."

Pein glared at me.  "You think this is a game?  This is your lives we're talking about."

I rolled my eyes.  "I've bet my life on worse chances."

They both looked at Itachi.  "What do you have to say about this?"

He glanced at me.  "I'd wager she would go on her own, just to see if she had to fight her way out... I won't let that happen."

They both sat back, still angry, but defeated.  "This is true."

I jumped up.  "So, it's settled! We head for the Leaf tomorrow."  They exchanged wary glances but nodded.

We made it back to our apartment and gave everyone the news.  Our trio seemed relieved while the Leaf nin smiled, even Neji, in his secretive way.  Chihiro looked up at me, now in the window, writing.  "I'm sure they don't approve."

I didn't look up.  "Nope."

She sighed.  "You told them everything then?"

I nodded.  "Of course I did."

Sakura jumped up.  "You have no right! That's classified Leaf intel."

Ryo leaned back on his hands.  "You have no right to tell her who she can and who she can not tell anything.  Your village labeled her a criminal wanted dead or alive if I recall correctly."

She frowned and sat back down while Hinata glanced between us.  "Pein-sensei and Konan-se-"

"Hinata... I don't need to explain my actions to them... Ryo's right."

She nodded as a paper angel flew into the room.  Itachi caught it and read before looking at the door.  A knock came instantly. The Leaf shinobi looked confused as Aya opened the door.  Konan stepped inside, followed by Pein, both surveying the room.

Chihiro jumped up and hugged Konan.  "I've missed you so much!"

She smiled softly.  "And we you, Chihiro, but... we are concerned."

I pursed my lips and looked out the window, but Itachi pulled me down into his lap.  "Traitor."  He chuckled and gave his attention to them as I struggled to get free.

Konan sighed at the sight.  "What guarantees this isn't a plot to capture these two?"

They looked at each other, and Chihiro sighed.  "Do you think I would do such a thing?"

Pein eyed the Leaf sigil on her waist.  "You fight for them."

She looked hurt.  "Pein... sama...  does the fact I became a Leaf nin actually make you think my loyalties have changed?"

He gave her a cursory glance, and Konan sighed.  "I suppose there's only one way to find out."

Traveling to the Leaf was painfully slow.  I stood at the halfway point arms crossed, tapping my foot.  Pein glared at me, and I ceased.  "These shinobi... heck, they'd never be able to catch me, let alone fight.  It's sad."

Itachi poked my forehead.  "Stop it."  I scowled at them both, and they exchanged a glance.

Finally, they arrived, and Sakura was out of breath.  "How... the hell... do you... move... so fast?"  She said between breaths.

I opened my mouth, but Itachi quickly covered it.  "Get some rest."  I bit his hand.  "We'll be setting off soon."

He dragged me away from the group, and no one was surprised except Pinky.  He finally released me when we were out of earshot.  "Why'd you do that?"  He looked at his hand appreciatively before looking at me.  "I wa-"

He tackled me to the ground, biting my throat.  It sent a surge through me, and I gasped.  "Behave..."  he kissed my lips, and I wrapped my arms around his neck.  He pulled back a glimmer in his eyes, and I rolled, so I straddled him.

I leaned down close to his face.  "Are you sure that's what you want, Uchiha?" I felt him hard beneath me and rocked forward.

He clenched his teeth.  "Kunoichi..."

I kissed his neck as he restrained my hips.  "Hm?"

I heard someone walking towards us, and I was in a tree when they arrived.  "Okay, you two... we're ready to go."  Ryo looked between us.  "You're not fighting, are you?"

I grinned deviously before jumping on his back.  "Why would you ask that?"

He sighed, shaking me off.  "Never mind."