Ashes (A Naruto Fanfic Book 6)

Chapter 18

I frowned when I heard knocking and opened one eye. I listened, and no one moved when they knocked again. So, I sighed, slid out of bed, and opened the front door. Chihiro stood there a look of relief crossing her face. "I'm happy you're okay."

I nodded and stepped aside so she could come in. "To what do we owe the pleasure at... 4 in the morning?"

She giggled. "You're usually awake by now."

I shook my head. "Aya and Ryo kept us up after eating... I just went to bed an hour ago."

Her widened. "I'm sorry..."

I chuckled. "No big deal."

Aya padded out and smiled at Chihiro. "Hey!"

She smiled. "Why are you awake?"

She shrugged. "Haven't fallen asleep."

I looked at the two and gestured to the empty bedroom. "Come on, before the boys wake up." They followed me, and I closed the door behind them. "What do you need to talk about?"

Chihiro sighed. "It's just... what's it like?"

I frowned. "What like?"

She avertes her gaze. "Being with Itachi..."

My eyebrows shot up. "Oh... uh..."

Aya nodded. "I wanted to know too. You two seem so... right for each other."

I sat in the windowsill. "I was serious earlier, Aya. Don't compare our relationship to yours. No one should."

They both looked confused. "Why?"

I sighed. "I'm not saying it's bad, but I can say it's not the healthiest." They still look confused. "Yes, we take care of each other... but each of you has mentioned that it's rare to see one without the other. Though I call him a stalker it clearly goes both ways. The lengths we're willing to follow each other are dangerous."

Their heads tilted. "Consider this... Aya, if Ryo was dead or forced into a marriage with another, would you consider allowing yourself to die as a result?"

She frowned. "I would be upset, but no."

I nodded. "We both made that decision at one point or another. When I came back... after the Sound Village, if he was dead, I wouldn't have gotten treatment and attacked the Uchiha... which would've been suicide."

Chihiro lowered her gaze. "He did the same... when he was sick before the wedding."

I nodded. "Just like I can say, we bring out the best in each other, but also the worst. I don't know how many couples would slaughter a clan and drive a man to madness and feel no remorse for it, but we did, and we don't." They exchanged a glance. "We're a deadly duo not only to those who cross us, but to each other, we know that, we've accepted that, and we don't want that for anyone else."

Chihiro looked at me sadly. "This is true, but you seem so in love."

I chuckled. "We are... it's all consuming, but no one's life should begin and end with one person as ours do."

Aya nodded. "Ryo mentioned that once... that if something were to happen to him... he'd want me to keep living."

I smiled. "I can't see a life without Itachi... and I'm quite known for my recklessness, so..."

Chihiro frowned. "And if you have kids?"

I shrugged. "Maybe we'll change if that happens..."

She sighed. "Why, though? Why are you two like that?"

I felt a tug and touched my wrist, looking toward the door. "I don't know."

Aya huffed. "Tell him this is girl time, go back to sleep." I giggled as a knock came at the door. "Go away! We're holding her hostage, Itachi!"

I watched the door, feeling his amusement as he knocked again. "If that's so... I have to save her."

Chihiro giggled. "We can take you, Uchiha!"

Aya laughed. "Go cook breakfast or something productive!"

Suddenly, they were looking behind me, and I smirked before looking up above me. "Took you long enough. You're getting slow, old man."

He kissed my forehead. "Calmest captive, I know."

I tilted my head toward the door. "We'll be out soon."

Chihiro held up her hand. "Wait..." He looked at her curiously. "Is it true what she says about you two? Can you not see a life without her if something were to happen?"

"It's true..."

"And if you have kids..."

He sighed as sadness creeped into his eyes. "We'll know if that happens."

She looked between us. "Why not have sex? I've always wondered since you trust each other so much."

He smiled down at me. "I'm just that old fashioned, I suppose."

I nudged him with my shoulder. "Go... see you soon." I looked at them as the door closed again and sighed. "Answer me this, since we are asking questions... have you?"

Aya blushed. "Well..."

Chihiro giggled. "No, not yet."

I smirked at Aya. "So... what's that like?"

She turned redder. "Can we not? I don't even know what lines you two have and have not crossed."

I giggled. "It's okay... one day, I'll find out." I looked at Chihiro. "But to answer your original question of what it's like being with him. It's as easy as breathing most of the time, but it is as hard as dying others."

She nodded. "I can imagine... I get what you're saying, too, about not being like you. I couldn't imagine living solely for one person the way you do."

I smiled softly. "I don't mind it... it took entire life times to find that person, so I enjoy it while I can. Whoever this person is... if you truly love them, do so fiercely, in your own way, and I hope they do the same."

She smiled. "Yes, that is my every intention."