Ashes (A Naruto Fanfic Book 6)

Chapter 8

I sighed as I awoke, then immediately sat up when I noticed Itachi wasn't there. I quickly put on clothes and went into the common areas, but he wasn't there. Instead, Konan sat on the couch, watching me. "You too, huh?"

I knew Pein and Konan were a lot like Itachi and me. "Where are they?"

She shrugged. "All the men decided to leave us to fend for ourselves."

I frowned. "They know we can find them easily."

She sighed. "But they also know we won't." She was clearly as upset as I was. "Maybe we should spend more time away from them this is not healthy."

I sighed. "We've tried, they end up finding us." I smirked. "Unless..."

She smiled. "Let's do it."

Aya rushed out of her room, then looked at us. "So, they all left us."

We smiled at her, and I stood. "Let's play a game... they should know better than to disappear." We formed a plan and got dressed up for the day. I chose a long, form-fitting, royal purple, short sleeved shirt and thigh-high black socks and boots. I moved in the mirror and was satisfied. I slipped on the necklace and bracelets. Itachi got me as presents.

I eyed my waist. "Me and Sasuke really need to discuss my chain." I rummaged through my things and sighed. "This will have to do, I guess." I swept the sides of my hair to a loose ponytail to keep it out of my face, but it still cascaded down my back.

When I stepped out, I was not disappointed. Aya was in a blue dress and black sandals. Hair pulled behind a headband and golden locket at her neck. Konan had on a red and black t-shirt and tight pants with adornments. Perfectly complimented by her combat boots and choker with a red stone in the center of her throat.

I smiled at the two. "Hopefully, the others are so well put together outside of their ninja attire, but they don't have men they're forcing to come home..."

They both eyed my hands and wrists, then my neck. Konan giggled. "Itachi certainly has an eye for detail. Everything matches your ring."

I looked down at it. It was a silver ring with the center dimond set between interwoven bands encrusted with smaller diamonds. I only noticed that all the pieces were similarly crafted and shook my head. "He's been planning this for some time."

Aya smiled. "I'm sure he has. His necklace and that belt you always wear are designed the same as well. Speaking of, I haven't seen it lately."

I pursed my lips. "It's in safekeeping." They exhanged a glance but didn't comment. We grabbed our things and went to where we were meeting the others. Mikoto met us at the door. "Mikoto! You look lovely." She was in a loose top and jeans, a locket similar to the one she gifted me around her neck.

She eyed our outfits and smirked. "Luring the boys back, I see."

We all smiled widely. "I do enjoy being chased... not the other way around."

She giggled. "Good girl, keep my son on his toes."

We walked out, and I inwardly smirked as we turned heads as we passed. I spotted Hinata and Chihiro, and they looked exquisite. Hinata was in a grey dress, black obi around her torso. Her black leggings stopped perfectly at her ankles, and she wore short strapped heels. Chihiro had pale pink, shoulderless, long top paired with grey leggings. I envied the silver belt at her waist that paired well with her necklace. I whistled as they approached, noting Hinata also had a black choker, adorned with grey flowers and matching wrist bands when she turned. "You clean up well."

She blushed slightly and looked at each of us. "You guys do too."

We made it to the teashop, and Pinky waited with Tsunade. Both were breathtaking. Sakura abandoned her usual red and was in a green dress, a cherry blossom tree embellished on the side, and brown knee-high boots. Tsunade had on a yellow form fitting blouse and waist high capris. I appreciated her anklets and matching bracelets. I like those...

I grinned devilishly. "Thank you for joining us, so we were to discuss an engagement party..."

Sakura smirked. "They went to do a man thing, huh?"

I chuckled. "Yup, now shall we ladies? It's a fine day for a stroll."

As we walked to our next destination, Hinata touched my hand gingerly. "No gloves..."

I smiled. "I haven't needed them for a while now... it was to keep our secret."

She smiled. "I'm happy that you're together, Sensei."

I smiled at her softly. "Me too, but to leave with no explanation... well, he'll learn."

We sat in the park and began to plan. I was mildly aware of the men who stopped and stared, forming a crowd. I frowned at all the planning that went into it. "Why can't we just do food and music and call it a night?"

Sakura frowned. "This is a special celebration. Now, it seems you two like sunsets, and that's how he proposed, so we can use those hues as colors." I started to tune her out and soon felt a menacing air around us.

We exchanged knowing glances and continued until I felt a cloak enclose around my shoulders, I saw Aya and Konan were wrapped in the same and smiled at the man behind me. "Did you have fun?"

Itachi's gaze sent chills down my spine, and he leaned in close from behind, his hands resting on the table on either side of me. "Party planning?"

I sighed. "More detail than I care for, but yes."

He chuckled. "You look delectable, but may I ask why you are dressed this way?"

I smirked. "When the cat's away..."

He nodded and kissed the top of my head as he looked at the rest of the women. "I see..." I looked into his eyes, noting his amusement, before he scanned the perimeter of the park. "Just be safe... I'll see you tonight."

I nodded and chuckled when the men went towards the crowd, and they dispersed. "Stalker..."