Chapter twelve: Nightmares and Dreams

"Temari!"

Startled, the once resting female jumped out of the Uchiha's lap and onto the carpet below. "Itachi! What? What is it?!" she asked as her head moved from side to side.

Itachi scanned the room as well, his hands tightly gripping the arm and cushion of the couch. His body was drenched in sweat, his mind shaken up from what he witnessed. Or at least what he thought what he witnessed. His eyes quickly darted toward Temari who was collecting herself off the floor. Pulling her body to him, he started checking her over, particularly her throat.

"What is it Itachi?" Temari questioned again. She watched his eyes trail over her then scan the room again. She felt his sweaty palms pull her tightly into an embrace as she heard what sounded like a rapid breathing. "Itachi?"

Itachi's mind was racing faster than he knew it could. He never had dreams like that. Not even after what he did to his clan. What did it mean?

"Temari..." he started as he pulled her away to see her face in the dark. "I thought I lost you."

The blond gave him a puzzled expression. "Lost me? Itachi, I'm not going anywhere." she assured him.

Yes, Itachi. She's not going anywhere.

The Uchiha's head jerked up, his eyes scanning for the third time. "Temari, did you hear that?" His only response was a series of confused blinking. His eyes ran past the window and over to the wall where he saw an object lodged into it. Squinting a bit, it started to take shape.

He hurried over to the wall, the familiar spot he thought he was at before. The object was exactly what he thought. A kunai. A small slip of paper was attached to it as well.

Hesitantly, he reached for it. His heart started to pick up again, his eyes fixed on that small sheet. He was prepared for what might happen as he cautiously removed it and opened it to read its contents.

Nothing. The paper was blank.

Itachi was surprised by the slip, turning it from side to side as if there was anything there. He didn't understand.

"Itachi...What's wrong? What is it?"

He turned to see Temari, her hand pulling on the sleeve of his kimono like a child would pull on their mother's clothing. In the small amount of light provided by the rain and moon, her emerald eyes shined the brightest as worry indulged the inside.

"Temari...This place isn't as safe as I thought it was. We have to-" Itachi's sentence was cut short as a ray of lightning struck. It brought light through the window, showing the Uchiha what the dark really held.

Temari's mouth had blood running out from both sides. Her throat was cut as more of her red liquid slid down her skin. Her pupils were dilated and her eyes were filled with tears.

Itachi felt his breathing stop as he stared down at the beauty that looked alive only a few moments ago. Or maybe that was just hidden in the darkness as well.

His stomach turned itself upside down and folded into knots as he dropped to his knees, his hands on the sides of his head and let out a loud yell of confusion, frustration and depression.

The blond beauty followed him down, crying out, "Itachi! What is it!? Please tell me! Please!"

The Uchiha looked down at her as another bolt of lightning struck. Her face. Her throat. She was fine.

What you see...is it really what it seems?

Itachi's heart started to beat faster as he grabbed Temari's shoulders and pulled her into a kiss. The sound of the rain dancing on the roof could be heard when he pulled away. Looking deep into her eyes, he told her "I'm sorry."

Temari was about to ask her questions again when she saw in his eyes the sharingan. She couldn't look away. She watched them spin in a hypnotic way as she felt her body get heavy. All around her she saw the wheels spinning. Rolling. Turning. Her eyes soon closed and she was unconscious.

Carefully, he pulled her up against his back, for faster carrying transport. He gathered his cloak, placing it on top of Temari as if to protect her. He was ready to leave when he remembered their old clothes were still hanging dry. Approaching them, he made a few hand signs and set the clothes aflame. He observed the materials burning for a few seconds before taking his leave.

He opened the window and slipped out into the world of moon, rain, and lightning, with his beauty safe on his back.

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A/N: Happy New Year to All and with many updates to come!!