chapter 25

I've been feeling uneasy since that day. Nightmares haunt me every night. I'm afraid. I'm afraid of losing Itachi. My eyes are always looking for his existence, as if he could disappear at any moment. I have to stop his brother. I have to find Sasuke. But how? I don't know where he is. I don't know

"Sarah!! Look out!"

Deidara's voice brought me back to reality. I blinked and suddenly a clay bomb exploded near me. It's too late for me to dodge and the explosion hit my left leg. I winced and fell down on the grass.

"Oh no!" Deidara jumped from his giant bird and ran towards me. "I'm so sorry. Are you okay, hm??"

"Yeah, I'm okay" I forced a smile. Well, I'm not okay. My leg burns and it hurts. I immediately bandaged my wound with water and chakra. Before long, my wounds were getting better. Not completely healed yet, but it's much better.

"I'm sorry, hm" Deidara apologized again.

"It's not your fault, Deidara. I'm the one who lacks concentration during our training session" I replied.Deidara gave me a small smile. "Let's go back to the hideout, hm" he reached out and helped me up. We walked side by side to the hideout.

"You're getting stronger, hm" Deidara said. "Thank you, but I'm nothing compared to you and the other members"

"You really can't be praised, hm?" Deidara joked and I laughed.

I'm getting stronger, but not strong enough to stop Sasuke. I have no intention of fighting him, of course. But I have to be prepared if things turn bad. Itachi said that Sasuke became Orochimaru's student, one of the famous Sannin. I have to train harder. But... Do I have enough time?

"Hello?? Earth to Sarah, hm!" Deidara waved his hand in front of my face.

"S... Sorry! What??"

"Daydreaming again, hm??" Deidara chuckled. "We're here"

"Sorry..." I looked down, embarrassed. "I'll go to my room, then. Thanks for today, Deidara""We should train together again sometimes, hm"

I nodded and head back to my room. I took a shower for a while and when I finished, I bandaged the wound on my leg. I glanced at the clock and realized it was time to make dinner.

"Well" I got up. "What should I cook today?"

***

"Enough for today" Itachi said and Kisame let out a sigh. They just finished training together and the sun has been setting since 3 hours ago.

"Kisame" Itachi caught his partner's attention.

"Huh?"

"...I want to fight Sasuke one on one. Do me a favor and keep everyone else out of it"

Kisame was silent for a moment. "How about Sarah?"

"Don't tell her"

"You... don't want to say goodbye to her?" Kisame asked.

"I will say goodbye to her without her knowing" Itachi answered. His already broken heart ached, but he still had an expressionless face. "Promise me you will keep her safe"

"With my life"

"Good. Cheer her up when she finds out that I'm gone and keep her from falling for someone like me" Itachi's voice sounded distant.

Kisame gripped his sword tighter. It's undeniable that Kisame felt sad when he heard what his partner said. "...Will do"

Itachi turned to face Kisame and smiled at him. "I entrust her in your hands"

"Fair enough. But still, it's sad parting with you like this after all we've been through together"

Itachi sighed. "You're a good partner and a good friend. Thank you for everything, Kisame"

"I didn't expect you to think of me as your friend" Kisame grinned. "Let's head back to the hideout"

I felt relieved when I saw Itachi return tothe hideout, even though it was a normal thing.

"I'm starving" Kisame said, he headed straight for the kitchen. Of course he was starving, it was half past ten in the evening.

"Hey" Itachi greeted me with a soft smile.

I smiled back at him. "Tired?" Itachi sighed and nodded his head.

"You have to eat first, it's past dinner time. Oh, and I made dango for you" I told him and I can see his eyes lit up.

"Can't wait to try it" Itachi reached up and brushed some stray hair behind my ear. "Thank you"

I nodded, blushing bright red. "I'll prepare warm water for you while you eat" Suddenly, Itachi grab my hand and pulled me into his arms.

"I... Itachi??"

"You're really a good wife" he whispered and tightened his hug even more.

At that time, my heart and my brain just stopped functioning.

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