A/N: Until We Meet Again was going to be the only story I was going to write for this pairing but they are just so cute together and there are so few stories out there for them that I decided to do some more. This is going to be a rather fluffy two-shot that is actually designed to set up the scene for the next two-shot I have in mind for them, which is going to be...less fluffy. Anyway, I wasn't too sure about this one. This was originally going to be just a oneshot of Itachi and Deidara going at it on a beach but it seems I couldn't resist giving it somewhat of a plot. No lemon in this chapter, just a few hints of lemony flavored goodness but there will be one in the next chapter so you were warned. Anyway, hope this isn't a complete fail...the next chapter should be out in a couple days...

Sunlight

In a lot of ways, Itachi associated sunlight with freedom. It was warm and touched upon everything, expelling shadows and nightmares with ease. It reminded him of lazy summer days spent on a bench at a tea shop licking glaze from a stick of dango off his fingers, of warm smiles and soft, golden mornings training. In it was his opinion of being completely free because it touched upon everything and could be harnessed by nothing.

Itachi had decided, a long time ago, that even if he could not know the lack of inhibitions as the sun could, he could still acknowledge the beauty of it even while ignoring the wish locked deep inside of his heart.

Freedom was a concept that he never had the privilege to encounter before.

First he had been pinned down by clan expectations, dictating his life ever since he was born and then later by a village he had given everything to only to have all his efforts to save it forgotten, turning him into a traitorous, murdering criminal. What hurt the most about that was no one could or would ever know about his sacrifice. As mature and as strong as he might have been, a thirteen year old should never have to carry the death of his entire family and the resulting exile on their shoulders. Yet he did. There had been times he wished he had been too weak to go through with it so that the blood would stain someone else's hands instead of his own. His love for his home, however, was too strong and even he could see what his family had become. Dangerous, a threat, something cancerous that needed to be cut away.

If he was to fulfill the destiny of hate that came with the Uchiha name then he would make sure that the burden was all his own to carry; that no one else would have to endure it.

Too bad he couldn't complete the job. Too bad he was too weak to draw his blade across his little brother's throat. But that story was not his to tell. It seemed that hate, Sasuke's hate, had been burned away by another blue eyed blond with a determination like he had never seen before; like he wished he had himself.

After that, his soul had been drowning in the river of blood spilled by his own hand and the ice in his heart had become so thick, he was sure, every morning when he awoke, it would have encased his skin, cold and hard. If there had been no armor, he would have gone insane. Even then, sometimes he wasn't so positive he wasn't. The black cloak adorned with red clouds weighed heavy on his shoulders for many long years, a constant reminder of why he couldn't go back and by then he'd been sure it was too late. There was no escape for him now. He was forever to be trapped in the web of hate conceived by an ancestor he couldn't free himself from and all the while, the heart he wished he had cut out a long time ago shriveled in his chest. Given enough time, he was beginning to forget what it felt like to love.

And then something changed.

Out of the legacy borne from hate and deception, he had been given a chance to see that he was not the only one to have fate crush him so cruelly; a chance to see it and perhaps be changed by it as well. After all, didn't he know all about broken hearts? His was just about nonexistent, given all the times it had been shattered. It is fair to say that perhaps life had not been very kind to him. He supposes this is why he was drawn to Deidara's pain in the first place.

There had been a time, long ago, when he had thought that life had been good to him. He loved his mother (despite the fact that she let his father rule over her) and adored his little brother. Itachi had always been one of the best ninja in his clan and in his quest for power, he had become ANBU captain by the age of thirteen (which was maybe where things started to go wrong). And he was in love. All in all, Itachi Uchiha had the perfect life. Unfortunately nothing that good could last forever.

With the great power that he had obtained, so did he gain a great and crushing responsibility. The Uchiha clan had become a loose cannon, hate once again rearing its ugly, deformed head. And he was the only one who could stop them before they tore the village apart. He had tried, tried other ways in hopes that bloodshed would not be necessary but his father, his uncles, his friends would not listen to his warnings. It was then he had to make the hardest choice of his life. He buried his heart and killed his family…

Sunlight blared down into his face and the dark haired shinobi paused for a moment, eyes fluttering closed to let the feel of the golden light warm his skin. There had been a time when he had not been worthy enough to enjoy the taste of such warmth. Despite how people viewed him, he wrapped the cloak of darkness around his shoulders not to make himself more intimidating but because didn't want anyone to see past the icy mask and notice all the jagged pieces of what was left of his soul. No one needed to see what the great Itachi Uchiha really was. Let them think he was a cold hearted murder. It was better than the truth; that he was weak and could do nothing but kill. He hid because it wouldn't do to have people notice how sick to his stomach he got every time someone else's blood spilled over his hands.

"Itachi! Hey!" a loud voice shook him from his dark musings, drawing his attention back to his traveling companion, whose bright blond hair was obscuring sharp features as the other man turned to regard the dark haired Uchiha from a little ways up the road. His own onyx eyes blinked as the sight washed away the lingering images of blood that tended to cling to the edges of his vision. An almost reluctant smile clung to his lips as the blond beckoned to him, features pinched slightly with concern, "Come on, un! Where did you just go?" Itachi shrugged off the clingy shadows and moved to join the other man, careful to keep his face devoid of anything that might have given him away. He wouldn't answer the man but Deidara was used to that by now. The dark haired man may have changed a great deal but he was still who he was.

Bright sapphire eyes regarded him with a sideways glance as they walked, dust licking at their ankles with each step. There had been a time when being in anyone's company for too long was unacceptable, his fondness for solitude keeping even people he had to work with very far away. It wasn't like he did it on purpose. He just wasn't and never had been comfortable in other people's company. Not since…

Then, one day, three and a half years ago, that change had occurred. He hadn't noticed it at the time, but it seems he had given a piece of himself away. Yet instead of losing it, rather something else had taken its place. He had shown his heart to someone and in return he realized that perhaps he hadn't lost it after all. There, that day at the edge of a lake hidden deep in a familiar forest, he had found that maybe being alone wasn't as great as it may seem. If he closed his eyes tight enough, he was sure he could see how bright the sunlight played upon the glassy water, how it turned the green leaves gold and how it shimmered upon tawny skin that had tasted of sorrow and honey.

One day, just a few snatched moments in time, he had begun to drag his heart back from the abyss.

The two years it had taken to find that again had felt like forever.

"Hey, man, where's your head at?" Deidara's voice broke through his thoughts once again and he spared the other man a glance. After a year and a half in the blonde's company, he had actually come to welcome the abrupt, brash manner the man possessed. Not that he would admit as much aloud, of course. But it was still there.

"Nowhere of consequence," he could hardly tell the man he was thinking about him. Itachi felt there was no need to divulge such information. Even so, he had to admire the determination Deidara had when it came to the Uchiha. He had never met someone so adamant to be with him, to find out what was going on under his normal stoic exterior. It was nice, that the blond even wanted to know. And he tried, he really did, to give in sometimes, let him in. It was hard, still, a force of habit that seemed near to impossible to break but if Deidara had decided he was worth it enough to try, then so would he.

The blond had surprised him, actually. The level of devotion and loyalty he had been offered was completely unforeseen. He knew that, on some level, they were attached to one another. They had been as soon as he had written that note in the dying light of the sun those many months ago and Deidara had found it in himself to hope. When Itachi had offered to help the other man to forget, just for a day, the love he had lost, he had thought his reasons had been completely unselfish (despite the fact that Deidara was drop dead gorgeous and the Uchiha had always thought so). Yet on closer examination, he had realized he too had been given solace, away from the overbearing loneliness that had plagued him since he was just little more than a child.

Why he did it, he still wasn't sure. Perhaps the warm sunlight he had been basking in for hours in blissful solitude before the other man had showed up had something to do with it. Or maybe it was because he'd been alone. The day, he recalled, seemed to have been softened around the edges, soothing his normally sharp edges. It could have been too that Deidara's hair had reminded him of sunlight. Of a surety, it had something to do with the man. Itachi had known the blond for nearly a year by then but he had never really thought much about him before. The fear he had come across in those bright, azure eyes had mirrored so many others that he had not even thought twice about it.

And then that day…

To say he'd been surprised to see the other man stumble out of the bushes to the edge of the lake would have been an understatement. Deidara hadn't been seen or heard from by anyone in the organization since his partner had died and no one had really made an effort to get him back, either. Yet there he was, looking like death warmed over, kneeling at the water's edge and Itachi couldn't stop staring at the man. Sure, he had known that the blond and his former partner had formed another bond, something other than partnership but he had not realized, until that moment, Sasori had actually been his lover.

The broken sobs had rung out across the lake and he still flinched to remember them. They had grated on him, whose heart he had been sure was already gone, making him feel things he wished to never feel again. It was that misery that he had responded to. He had wanted to ease it, to make it fade away and while he could not give Deidara back what the man had with his partner, he did the only other thing he could think of; give him a moment away from it, away from all that dark grief and shattering loss. And as he did, he got to see a side of the blond he hadn't even known existed. The man was beautiful.

Whatever it was that made him do it, he was grateful. He had been alone long enough.

"Do you know anything else about this job, un?" the blonde's hands were at ease at his sides, resting casually on the pouch at his hip and, like every time he thought about the other's man's hands, he gave an tiny, involuntary shiver. While the twin mouths set in the palms were deadly when facing off with an opponent, they served other purposes as well. Another shiver and he forced down a wave of heat as he remembered the other night when Deidara had taken Itachi in his mouth while rimming him at the same time, another tongue…Itachi scolded himself, forcing his brain to recall the question he had just been asked.

"A scroll needs to be transported from the Land of Tea to Suna. There has been a conflict and they are afraid of full out war. The treaty won't be drawn out until the end of the week so we have some time," Deidara worried his lip, as he was prone to do when he was thinking, loose hair blowing over his face again from an errant breeze. Itachi was glad to find that the blond no longer wore his hair up in that ridiculous tail at the top of his head any more. Usually it was kept down, as it was now, floating around and in front of his face but if not, it could be seen pulled back much like Itachi's own hair, a low tail at the nape of his neck.

"Yeah, they should be worried. Suna could swallow them whole since the Tea country has no ninja of their own," Stupid, is what Itachi thought. The little peninsula off of the Fire Country needed to be careful who they pissed off because Konaha had a treaty with Suna that was nigh unbreakable. They wouldn't come to the Tea Country's aid should something happen. He just hummed his response though, feeling the air beginning to shift, the humidity rising. They had long ago left the Fire lands and were very near the capital of Tea, a port city pressed against the ocean. His hands twitched against the weapon pouch strapped around his thigh and decided to say something.

"I've never seen the ocean before," it was completely arbitrary, catching Deidara by surprise so that he stopped short in his tracks, staring wide eyed at the dark haired Uchiha. Itachi bit back a smile at the blank expression in his companion's face, deciding that sharing something like that was worth the reaction. The blond floundered for a moment, opening and closing his mouth a few times before he was able to find his words again.

"But...but what about that time in the Wave country? That's a fucking island, un!" the dark haired man admired the passion with which the statement was made before shaking his head, taking a step towards the blond.

"No, we were not in the Wave Country then," it was true. The noble they had served as body guards for a while had been traveling, moving through several different countries before they had parted company, never once returning to the man's homeland. In truth, Itachi had never had an occasion to travel to the sea, his missions keeping him inland. It was an intriguing concept, though, having heard about it from other people during his travels. He could not imagine a body of water so large that it disappeared over the horizon nor that it was filled with salt but still he was not opposed to the idea. The way Deidara was looking at him made him feel like he was missing out, though.

"How could you never have seen the ocean before?" the man asked indignantly, bright eyes catching the light of the sun and blazing like cut gems. The dark haired man couldn't help but smile, shrugging slightly, much to Deidara's annoyance, "Well, since we're going to have time, un, we are spending an entire day on the beach. And no wiggling out of it either," a finger was held sternly in his face and he had the sudden urge to bite it. He didn't but the thought was there. Instead he just sketched a mocking bow, face expressionless.

"Anything you say, Deidara-sama," it was meant as a joke (yes, he did that now. It was rare, but it happened. He found that he liked the blonde's smile enough to lower himself to such behavior) but a moment later he was being shoved against a tree and pinned there by a hard body. Dark eyes blinked, startled and he found himself trapped in burning pools of blue fire that had darkened with an expression he had grown to know well over the past year and some. Desire. Itachi swallowed thickly, wondering what he had done that brought this on.

"Is that a promise, huh?" the blonde's face was very close, warm breath ghosting over his face and Itachi found himself leaning into the heat holding him in place, glad that they were the only travelers on that road at the moment. He loved when those slanted eyes dilated like that when they looked at him. It sparked the heat in his own body, even as his hands curled around the ones digging into his shoulders so his back scraped roughly against the craggy bark.

"If you'd like," he answered, pitching his voice low and the resulting flash of heat when those eyes watching him carefully darkened further made his breath catch. Already there was an insistent bulge pressed to his hip but he ignored it when the blond lunged the extra few inches to fuse their lips together. Itachi loved it when the other man kissed him like this. Long and hard, forcing his way into the Uchiha's mouth to dominate him, making the dark haired man feel it in every part of his body. The exotic slide of their tongues always weakened his knees and he was breathless when Deidara pulled away, staring at him for a long moment.

"Oh, I'd defiantly like, Itachi-kun," well, that version of his name had never turned him on before but for some reason, it did now. Yet before he could yank the other man back for another hard kiss, there was a fleeting brush of warm lips against his cheek and then the blond moved away, straightening his cropped shirt and casting the dark haired man a heavy-lidded glance. The smile he received was a little too innocent, "Well, then we should stop dallying. The less time we take, the more we can spend on the beach, un," that gaze blazed again as he tried to gather his wits once again, pushing away from the tree to follow Deidara. Of course, he was almost flattened by the next look he got, "I heard that beach sex is some of the best kind, un," and then Itachi was left staring at the blonde's back, barely hearing Deidara's laughter.

As he swiftly covered the distance between them once again, he was determined that while finding out what was so great about the sea, the blond would be repaid for that little tease. Really, he thought, smirking to himself as he walked, the man should know better by now…

Itachi wasn't sure what he had been expecting but what he saw surprised even him.

The landscape didn't change very much. It flattened out a bit, the rolling hills they had been walking through becoming flat sweeping plains. Trees and shrubbery became stunted, shorter and stockier than what he was used to seeing, many times growing in clusters, clumped together in the middle of wide, sweeping fields of green, lush grass. It was the smell, though, that caught him off guard. He noticed it at the same time Deidara stopped and took in a great, exaggerated breath, throwing out his arms on either side of him. The dark haired Uchiha wrinkled his nose against the suddenly abrasive scent as it stung his nose.

"Ah, smell that?" the heavy air seemed to muffle the content words and Itachi had to say that he really wished he didn't. It wasn't awful but it was strong, blocking out any other sent there might have been.

"Unfortunately," he responded with a frown, waiting for the blond to catch up with him. The other man's laugh was bright with a kind of constrained joy, something Itachi did not see very often and it warmed him just a little, like a ray of sunlight had somehow found its way inside of him, curling up like some purring feline around his heart.

"Oh, don't be like that. That smell just means we're getting close," He didn't wrinkle his nose again but he wanted to. It might not have been so offensive if it wasn't so strong. As it was, the smell settled in the back of his throat so that every time he swallowed, he could taste it. Instead of making a face, though, he just cast the other man a meaningful sideways glance, eyes dark in the golden light.

Much to his amusement, the blond kept sniffing the air like some over grown dog. He could see, if the man tilted his hands enough during a stride the little tongues lapping at his palms, like they were vainly trying to taste the air. The dark haired Uchiha knew there were no taste buds on those tongues but it still looked funny. Admittedly, the smell did seem to ease a bit as they walked, though he still couldn't pinpoint it. It was salty, as he expected and there was a definite hint of fish lingering in the air. But there was something more to it too and it was that unnamable element that made something loosen in his chest, fluttering with an anxious kind of excitement. The feeling was the kind like he had never felt before and it puzzled him. Maybe Deidara's little statement earlier about the beach sex had something to do with it but it wasn't like he couldn't throw the man down and take him right then if he wanted to (though such a break down in his control was highly improbably as the road had acquired more foot traffic the longer they walked). But the feeling wouldn't go away, resting anxiously in the cavity where his heart beat steadily.

The blond was humming cheerfully with his hands behind his head, eyes wide as they darted around to take in the scenery. The sound eased a little of the tension that locked the muscles in his shoulders. Itachi had never once found the man's humming to be distracting or an annoyance in any way. As a matter of fact, the deep baritone was rather pleasant to listen to, the husky tones rich and light. And it was always a new song that he sang, too, usually something he had picked up from the last village they stopped in. He had decided long ago it was one of the many he liked about the blond. Deidara must have known, too, even if the Uchiha never said anything because the dark haired man was positive the blond would not sing nearly as much if he thought Itachi indifferent.

Soon, the flat, lush fields began to break apart, wide expanses of marshy, briny water that sat in even, glassy pools in patches between the fields, so that the only thing that seemed to change was the colors; emerald green broke off into sapphire blue then back again. All the while, trees grew more scarce, only able to find footing on less boggy soil. The road they traveled snaked around the spots of water, sometimes widening, opening into small fishing communities that would block out the view for short stretches.

People in these countries always stared at visiting ninja as they had none of their own. They both, Itachi and Deidara, had taken to wearing their hitai-ite around their upper arms, the symbols and ragged slashes alike carefully filed away so the metal was smooth, announcing they had no allegiance to any particular village and also erasing their brand of who they were; S-class criminals. He didn't mind the stares, having gotten used to them when he was very young and he knew the blond secretly loved the attention, even when it wasn't always positive.

One such little town was located at the edge of a wide body of water that rippled softly in the gentle breeze and it was all he could do not to stop and stare. Small wooden boats bobbed on the surface, looking like they were alive. Surely this must be it, for it stretched out to his left, all the way to the horizon. It even ran across their path so that would have to take a wide arching bridge to get across. He was a little let down, as it was not as spectacular as he had been lead to believe. Then something warm brushed along the inside crease of his palm and he tore his gaze away to find Deidara regarding him with an amused expression.

"This isn't even close to the real thing, un. Don't worry. I assure you, you won't be disappointed," his bright, azure eyes sparkled mischievously and the dark haired man scoffed, squeezing the fingers still touching his hand discreetly before letting go.

"I'm not disappointed," he murmured softly as they started over the bridge, still unable to keep his eyes from the undulating water. It was as if it was alive, speaking in a soft voice that tugged at his consciousness but, despite how hard he tried to understand it, it refused to materialize into meaningful words. Deidara's eyes were still laughing at him as the man slipped his arms leisurely behind his head again, looking as if he had not a care in the world.

"Of course you aren't Uchiha," Itachi flung a half hearted glare at the man. The blond only called him that now when he was teasing, as it had only been used in hate before. The only other time Deidara used his family name was when he was furious about something. Thankfully, the blond didn't get like that often and it was never at Itachi. Those times, the dark haired man was just careful to stay out of the other man's way. While the Uchiha may have been formidable, Deidara was just downright scary when he was mad.

Any view of the water or surrounding landscape was swallowed up by the bustling city just at the other side of the bridge. He blinked at the abrupt change, the thick, salty scent and wide open space giving way to the usual closed and stuffy feeling off too many people living too close together. In many ways, this town was no different than any other city he had been to. The buildings were tall and old, their architecture unfamiliar and somewhat western, with tiny front yards and wide, shadowed porches where people often sat talking or watching the traffic going by on the streets. Deidara was still humming merrily to himself, though they were forced to walk closer together as the press of people had nearly tripled, leaving very little room for anyone to breathe, let alone walk.

Though, both shinobi were given a rather respectable distance, the stares not lessening. Those that didn't stare were visitors, people from other countries who had ninja from their own nations. It wasn't just the metal bands tied to their arms. It was the way they carried themselves, with an easy grace, each stride measured and holding a hint of just how dangerous they could be. Of course, the katana strapped to his back and jutting over his shoulder certainly didn't discourage the looks. He had wanted, when they first started traveling together, to keep the blade stashed in his belt for such a reason but Deidara had told him that he looked sexy with it like that and he'd left it.

A group of young woman decked out in their finest kimono ogled them openly, giggling behind their hands and Itachi had to refrain from rolling his eyes when the blond at his side gave a jaunty wave and leering grin back. It was even harder to retrain from smacking the man upside his golden head like he was itching to do, even when he knew the blond was only fooling around. The Uchiha had understood from the beginning he had no reason to worry about the other man's interests straying. Even so, his eye twitched as the high pitched giggles followed them until they turned a corner and the bright blue gaze flickered over to him so they could share in a secret smile. He was well aware if what they looked like; it was hard not to; his dark Uchiha genes next to the bright, golden good looks of his companion. It was almost a given that people would stare, even if they weren't ninja.

Residential buildings gave way to a bustling market that made him distinctly uncomfortable, especially when Deidara had to yell over the noise to ask him a question.

"Do you know where we are going, un?" he had a vague idea, as feudal cities (that is, cites that were home to the nation's feudal lord) usually branched out from the palace, of which was at the center of the town. But he shook his head anyway, hating the idea of getting lost here. The blond just soothed him with a fleeting touch before leaving him to go ask for directions from one of the stall owners. Dark, onyx eyes roamed the crowd, taking in all the different colors and nationalities grouped together in such a small space. All different languages rang out, filling the air just as thickly as the smells did, shouts and laughter mingling with incense and the overpowering scent of fish until his head was nearly reeling. His heart nearly stopped when he caught sight of a fellow ninja but the man was moving swiftly and with an entourage, leaving him unnoticed. Despite the fact they were no longer with the Akustki, they still avoided other shinobi that would recognize them.

At any rate, it was habit to take in everything, down to the last detail, always making sure there was no potential danger. He shifted, ignoring how the young man working the stall he was standing beside was eyeing him and nearly bit his lip when he noticed how friendly the stall owner had gotten with his blond, a big, meaty hand on the other shinboi's shoulder. Now completely distracted and nearly drawing blood as he continued to bite the inside of his lip, he took a second to steady the sudden unbalancing anger. Okay, he wasn't jealous. That would imply he didn't trust Deidara which he did. He just didn't like other people touching what belonged to him.

The blond must have noticed his stare because he casually shrugged the offending hand off, gesturing wildly with his hands and grinning all the while. The man must not have realized anything was amiss for he seemed cordial enough, pointing to some direction off to the right. It felt like forever until the blond was waving and slinking gracefully through the crowd to join his companion. Itachi kept his expression carefully schooled to nothing at all but he knew the other man caught the angry shadows shifting behind his eyes. The reassurance was in the subtle touch upon the outside of his thigh as the blond reiterated the directions he'd received.

Still feeling like he wanted to go back and separate that man's hand from his wrist, he used the movement of the crowd so that he was right up behind the blond, sliding his hand along the exposed mesh shirt that was the only thing that clothed the tan abdomen, visible thanks to the cropped shirt Deidara wore. As his fingers moved over the warm skin, he felt a little better, reestablishing possession over what was his. Sapphire of the brightest hues flickered to him over a shy smile, the man leaning into the touch in acknowledgement, the surging sea of humanity keeping the moment between them.

After a year and a half, no words were needed for them to understand each other, to comprehend the motivation between a glance or a touch. It made him strangely happy that he had done what he did that day at the lake; glad that he had let his mask slip just for those few precious hours. Just those few long moments, just that one single day and he had gained an entire lifetime…

By the time they reached the palace, the sun was low in the sky, most of their day eaten away with travel. The place was bigger than he expected, standing separate from the rest of the city by a low gate and wide, sweeping gardens. It was extravagant but it seemed, considering the low security, everything was peaceful. Well, it wouldn't be for very long if that treaty proposal wasn't delivered. Hence the reason they were there. The palace itself was situated on a tall rise, its light, rosy walls dyed red in the bloody light of the waning sun. He couldn't help but admire the structure's beauty, with its traditional style architecture done over in pale colors that seemed to suit those painted in the sky. The only thing that was really dark was the big, sweeping roofs with their dark red tiles that hung low over the building's walls.

The place itself sprawled magnificently, the chaos with which the wings had been constructed only adding to the splendor. Despite all of that, there was nothing defensible about it, besides its height advantage over the rest of the city, with the many wide windows not even having some kind of glass shielding. He supposed they had devised some fashion of protecting the interiors during a storm but other than that, it was a wide open invitation for anyone who wished to see it as one. This fact was what put him at ease. The people here valued their peace and would no doubt go through great lengths to see it maintained.

There were two guards at the main gate who seemed to have been expecting them as they gave the scroll Itachi presented that was their entry pass a perfunctory glance before waving them through. The Uchiha glanced at his companion but the blue eyes were lost among the wide, well-kept gardens on either side of the winding path leading up to the main doors.

"Huh," the blonde's voice seemed to fit in smoothly with the rosy lighting and softened surroundings as he broke the silence as soon as they stepped out of the guard's hearing range, "Pretty place they have here," and Itachi was not inclined to disagree. The little road was made of little round stones that were mostly white but would sometimes have rose or teal mixed in somewhere. It was shadowed under the biggest row of sakura trees he was sure he had ever seen and though most of the branches had shed their little pink flowers, giving way to dark green leaves, the air was still fragrant with their scent. It was the gardens that impressed him the most, neatly filled with all kinds of plants and flowers, many of the likes he had never even seen before. The patterns and colors were intriguing so that even while he was still instinctively diligently on guard for any possible threat, he found his gaze swinging back and forth, admiring the display.

It took him a moment to realize that Deidara was no longer walking beside him but had stopped and stepped a little ways into the garden, crouching down so he could admire one of the flowers closely. The dark haired man blinked at his companion, trying to figure out why the blond had stopped when one slender hand reached out and plucked one of the blossoms, holding it to his nose before he straightened again, returning to Itachi's side, all the while admiring the flower. The man remained silent as they resumed walking, sapphire eyes fixed on the dusky petals that were a deep crimson that darkened the further in it got so that the center of the flower almost looked black. It was unlike Deidara to be cryptic but the Uchiha was hesitant to break the silence, knowing that somewhere along the way, the blond would have to say something about his unusual behavior. Finally he pressed the blossom to his nose breathing in deep.

"It reminds me of your eyes," the man said softly, gaze remaining fixed on the flower he twirled between his fingers, taking Itachi by surprise. He knew how much the blond hated the Sharingan and it was just about a written rule that they don't talk about it; which was why he was so taken back when Diedara brought it up. Dark eyes flickered to his companion, taking in the thoughtful features and how one long finger was stroking the velvety petals.

"Then why did you take it?" he asked, despite himself. It had never really bothered him that the blond had a problem with his Kekkei Genkai. It was part of who he was but it didn't define him; at least, not like it used to. He may still be an Uchiha with the blood traits to go along with the name but he was other things too. Deidara was one of the very few people that had made an effort to see past the name and the reputation and look at who he really was. For that, he was eternally grateful, and even if he didn't put it into words, he knew the blond understood.

They were nearly at the doors, wide, sweeping staircase that led to the entrance coming into view when the other man pulled his eyes away from the flower and gave Itachi a sideways glace. It was shy, a small smile curling at the corners of the full lips that were hidden from view for a moment as the blond swept the flower against them. The dark haired man understood the expression but not the reason for it, taking in the light flush that painted itself over the tan cheekbones enticingly. Deidara only got like that when he was thinking about saying something that might make the Uchiha close off or scoff, which he rarely did anymore. But that bright gaze fell to the flower again and it seemed the blond wanted to respond enough that he would risk his companion's annoyance.

"Well, because they're your eyes, right?" and the blond twitched uncomfortably under the full blown scrutiny of the dark gaze. Why Deidara would get weird over something like that, Itachi would never know but the blond had a tendency of shying away from saying anything he might consider romantic. It was rather endearing, actually, and the dark haired man wished it didn't embarrass the blond so much because he rather liked it. Because they were so close to the doors and under the scrutiny of the guards, he just smiled at the blond, which earned him an even deeper blush.

Deidara surprised him then by reaching out as they began climbing the first of the stairs and holding his arm still so the blond could slide the stem of the dark red flower into his armband, the rich color bright against the dark hues of his clothing. The gesture was shocking and out of character, making his step falter and he stared at it, barely even paying attention to where he was walking, gaze taking in how the soft petals bounced slightly with each stride. When he glanced at his companion again, the blond had his head turned away, no doubt to hide his discomfort. Itachi swallowed the lump that had formed in his throat, wishing he could reach out and touch the blond. But they were being watched now and they needed to look the part. Suggestive physical contact was unprofessional.

"Thank you," he whispered as they reached the last step before turning his attention to the row of guards standing before the wide, double doors made of a light, carved wood. Their hands rested easily on the hilts of their swords, eyes distrustful. It was the same everywhere. Those that knew what the hitai-ite meant where always leery of ninja that did not have their allegiance clearly carved into the metal bands. Only one set of eyes flickered to the crimson flower he now wore proudly on his arm and he gave that guard a longer consideration than the others.

As suspicious as they might have been, they couldn't ignore the scroll written in their own employer's hand that requested their aid and grudgingly stepped aside, allowing both of them through. A set of dark eyes followed him, flickering from him to Deidara and he frowned. Curiosity was never a good thing.

A servant dressed in a plain yellowish kimono greeted them as soon as they stepped into the bright front hall, softly requesting that they follow her to meet with the Feudal Lord, at his request. He just nodded as Deidara seemed to be too distracted with the architecture of the palace to pay attention. Itachi had to admit, though, the place was quite spectacular. Everything was very open, the big windows facing towards both the front and the back letting in enough light that even with the onset of dusk, lights would not need to be lit until the sun actually disappeared from the sky. Everything was done in light, airy colors, walls stretching high on either side to disappear amid the exposed rafters above their heads. The walls themselves were made from rice paper and it was a nice mix of western styling and traditional. It was the view he caught out the windows as they walked, though, that really impressed him. The city lay stretched out before the palace but beyond it was this great, glittering expanse of…here he paused, pondering, unable to keep from staring. It looked like light, reaching out towards the horizon but he realized it was actually water, just colored with the burning fire of the setting sun.

"Cool, huh?" Deidara at his shoulder startled him and he glanced at the blond, realizing how wide his eyes were. The man laughed at his expression, amusement sparkling in his bright gaze and the sound attracted the notice of the dark haired servant. Deidara grinned at her, jerking his thumb in Itachi's direction, "Can you believe he's never see the ocean before, un?" which earned him a rather caustic glare from the dark haired Uchiha and making the girl walking in front of them giggle behind her hand. She regarded Itachi for a moment, her thoughts well hidden.

"Well, it is always an impressive sight, even for those of us who have lived under its influence our whole lives," her smile was only a little bit teasing before she focused her attention ahead of her again, letting the Uchiha strain for another glimpse or two of the shining stretch of sea. The blond just offered him a sideways grin that meant a promise for later and then they were turning a corner, the sight getting lost, much to his disappointment. He really hoped they would have time to explore the ocean some before they had to turn around and head back again. It seemed like a place that had many things to offer and he had always been curious as to what people found so appealing about it. Even from his quick glimpse, he was beginning to understand.

The girl led them through three more hallways that always ended in a sharp turn, her stocking-clad feet as silent as their own as he idly watched the dark flow of hair sway with each step. When they finally stopped at a door that looked like all the others, he was a bit surprised. He would have thought that the Lord's greeting hall would be a bit more…decorous. The servant bowed respectfully before pulling back the door and announcing them into the seemingly empty room, her soft voice echoing through the space. Deidara thanked her cheerfully as they entered the room, both of their gazes flickering around the big space.

It was a strange place, with light wooden floors and very little decoration yet the lamp that hung in the middle of the ceiling was extremely ornate, hung over with gold figures and brightly colored tassels. There was no furniture save for the big chair pushed all the way against the wall to their left, hung over with colorful silks, surrounded and nearly covered by many differently shaped pillows. Beside it was a stand that held an elegant tea pot and a cup that looked like it had been used then forgotten about. The far wall was nothing but a row of sliding paper doors that lead out onto a wooden balcony upon which he caught movement.

"Welcome," the voice threaded through the space, followed by the source of the movement he had seen, a very young man with dark hair and skin and the greenest eyes he was sure he had ever seen. Itachi managed not to blink in surprise at how young this country's Feudal leader was. It was quick thinking on his part to hide his reaction behind a shallow bow, pulling the blond with him when he realized Deidara had not masked his shock as well, "Please, there is no need for formalities. I get quite enough of that from my own people," The Uchiha straightened, assessing the young Lord that had stopped only a few feet from the doorway he had entered and was watching both shinobi calmly.

"As you wish," he replied blandly, keeping his face expressionless and he felt his companion shift restlessly at his side. The boy smiled slightly, tipping his head to the side to study them.

"I must thank you for replying so swiftly to my request. At this time it will take another day or two for the drafting of the treaty documents to be completed but you will be given quarters here and I will see to it that your stay is as comfortable as possible. I must admit, I have never been in the predicament of needing the service of ninja before," that bright gaze was keenly intelligent as it studied them, questions caught in their depths. Itachi marveled at this young man's intelligence, though he supposed he would have to be, to be the Feudal Lord at such a young age. He couldn't be older than sixteen and yet he looked like he belonged there, head held at an angle that screamed authority.

"Why is it that you contacted us and not shinobi with a specific allegiance, like from the Water country, un?" Deidara was usually their voice as he got along better with people than Itachi did, his brighter looks inspiring more trust. Not that he minded. The dark haired Uchiha like observing better, reading the people in whose employ they had found themselves in order to gauge the situation. He was inclined to like this boy; he was sharp and bright and seemed to be honest, though all politicians he had ever come across were well practiced at keeping things hidden.

"Ah, well, you see I have been put in an awkward situation. There has been a blood feud going on between two of this country's most prestigious families for generations and I would like it to be settled during my rein. Unfortunately, a few merchants from Suna had gotten involved and were killed for taking a side, along with the two ninja traveling with them for protection," Itachi blinked at this. They had not known the specifics before coming here, assuming there had been some kind of simple misunderstanding. But he knew that all shinobi nations were very protective of their ninja, especially if there was some kind of outside conflict involved. That would explain the importance of such a treaty, "As you can imagine, my country is not equipped for a conflict with a powerful nation such as the Land of Wind," his voice was melodic and the Uchiha studied him, the open expression in his face, in his wide, startling eyes. He didn't suspect a lie but there was something more there that he couldn't put a finger on.

"Undoubtedly, un. But then why us?" the reiteration of the question brought a rather attractive smile to the young Lord's face, another tilting of his dark head so that the long hair that was loosely held back by an adornment of pearls and long, thin rods off which dangled precious stones slid over his shoulder, hissing along the silk robes he wore.

"It would be rather imprudent of me to request such a favor from another country, as it would certainly be seen as kind of declaration of recruiting allies, would it not? I have been hearing of your reputations for nearly a year now. Never had a failed mission, regardless of its nature. Impressive, I must say," the news of a preceding reputation was rather startling. Itachi hadn't thought about that kind of thing when he had joined up with the blond. But it was true. As far as a team went, they worked flawlessly together, better than any he had ever been a part of, even during his time among the ranks of Konoha's ANBU. And never once had he ever botched a mission, Deidara or no. Only once…and then he didn't really consider that a mistake. Said blond seemed to perk up at the praise.

"Really, un? I had not realized," he felt the blue gaze on him and he glanced at his companion for a moment, realizing just how pleased the news seemed to make the blond. It almost made him smile. Almost. When his onyx gaze turned back to the green eyes Lord, the boy was watching them with a shrewd interest that made him suddenly uneasy, especially when he started walking towards them, steps making the soft fall of his elaborate outfit rustle faintly.

"You two are an anomaly, I am to understand. No loyalties to anyone, selling your skills to anyone who has a deep enough purse regardless of who they might be. I must admit that I am curious. Did you originate from somewhere or have you always been like this?" now the boy was standing only a few feet in front of them, green eyes regarding Itachi more than they did the blond, for which he was grateful. The searching looks they were both getting were rather unsettling.

"That information is not relevant to this mission and despite where we may have come from, what is important is that those places are no longer home," it was Itachi who spoke, deep voice reverberating throughout the wide space and it drew blue and green gazes alike. He remained impassive as the young Lord smiled, lips curling slyly before he nodded in acknowledgement.

"I suppose you're right. I can't help but be curious, as I have never met anyone quite like you before," the sharp gaze flickered over their weapon pouches, the katana still proudly strapped to his back and the faceless metal bands tied snugly around their arms. A dark, slender hand reached out and brushed over the cool silver on Itachi's arm, dark eyes watching on impassively as the blond at his side stiffened. The boy must have caught the action because he glanced at Deidara for a moment, considering, "So that is how it is," the comment was almost made to himself as he stepped back, earning the brunt of both shinobi's sharp gazes. They tried to make it a point that none of the people who employed them knew about their specific circumstances but no one had tried to touch either of them either. As a matter of fact, it had been a long time since he had met anyone quite like this boy. Biting the inside of his lip in order to maintain his icy mask, he lifted his chin, dark gaze hard as it met glittering jade.

"Is there anything else you wish to tell us that is relevant to this mission?" the blond was uncharacteristically quiet by his side and he could guess the man was none too pleased the young Lord had ventured to lay a finger on the Uchiha. Itachi somewhat expected people to do such to his companion but no one had ever done so to him. The boy lifted one hand to card through the loose strands of his hair, eyes once again dropping to his armband and the flower still tucked into it.

"I believe that is all," another smile, this one a bit plastic for his taste and he wondered at what it might be hiding, "Again, I must thank you for taking on my request. You will be summoned once the draft has been completed. Until then, you will be given your own wing within the palace. Someone will show you the way," those words must have been some kind of cue, for the doors behind them slid open again and this time, when they bowed, they received no discouragement. He could feel the wide green gaze boring into his back as they retreated from the room.

It was the first time that someone had put him so on his guard that he had to consciously let himself feel the blond walking beside him to help ease the tension, taking comfort from the fact that he was not alone. Deidara seemed to be sharing his discomfort because the golden features were closed off, the full lips pulled down in a frown. Honestly, he would have been more worried if the boy's attention had focused more on the blond as he hated when other people tried to take liberties with the other man's open demeanor and bright good looks. Though he was a bit surprised at the kid's audacity to even approach the Uchiha.

One thing was for certain, though. Those sharp eyes had seen too much and had wanted to see even more.

The servant that guided them this time was different, an older man with deep red hair pulled back sharply off his face in a small tail, his robes holding a bit more decoration than the girl's had. He didn't speak to them at all, keeping his dark gaze in front of him in the darkening halls, not even venturing to peek at them in curiosity. There was an unfamiliar sensation of unease crawling under his skin that seemed to dissipate with every step he took from that room and he wondered at it, thinking about those knowing green eyes that seemed to try to pick them apart. He could understand curiosity but that had been something else.

After enough twists and turns to nearly get even Itachi lost, the man stopped at a door that was partially open, clear, reddish light spilling through the rooms beyond it. They were informed in a soft, formal voice that they had this entire wing to themselves and could come and go as they pleased. With that, the man turned and left, leaving them finally alone.

Deidara, let out a loud sigh as soon as he closed the door behind them, dropping his pack to the ground before he launched himself at the dark haired Uchiha, catching him slightly off balance. The slim arms wound around Itachi's neck as the blond leaned into his back, his face pressed into the crook of one pale shoulder, heedless of the sword strapped on his back. The younger man blinked at the sudden display even as he reached out to wrap his fingers around the hands clasped at his neck. The blond muttered something into his hair that he couldn't understand, making dark eyes roll in exasperation.

"I missed that," he said dryly, earning himself a breathy chuckle before the other man turned his head, warm breath ghosting over his pale neck and making him shiver at how close those full lips were to his ear.

"I said that kid scared the crap out of me, un. I didn't like the way he was looking at you," the arms wound around his shoulders tightened and he leaned back into the heat at his back, letting his tense muscles relax slightly. It was good to be able to touch his lover like this, to be touched like this and for a moment he let the complexity of such a feeling erase the slinking unease he had been feeling.

"Neither did I. I get the feeling we are here for more than to just ensure the safety of this document," there was a rumble of agreement against his back, the sharp nose burrowing against his skin and he felt the tingle of the touch throughout his body, forgetting ruthless emerald eyes in favor of the familiar heat radiating through him from the blond still draped over him, feeling it settle around his bones. A moment of silence stretched between them before the arms once again tightened, the hard chest rubbing against his shoulder blades so that the other man's lips could reach his neck. The sharp, biting suck against his skin made him gasp softly, the unexpected display of possessiveness from his partner making his blood heat. The action was meant to mark him and it was in a place that would not be missed, especially of someone is looking for it.

"Well, he can look all he wants, un, but you're already taken, Uchiha," the man hissed and he smiled as he fingered the flower still tucked into his hitai-ite. Who was he to disagree to such an adamant statement and he shot the blond a look as he was released, ignoring how cold it was without the added warmth pressed to his back.

"You aren't worried, are you?" he asked as they studied the room they were in, which seemed to be some kind of sitting room, with comfortable chairs and couches, thick rugs and wide windows that looked out over the city. He was disappointed to note that there was no view of the ocean here. The room led right into what seemed to be a spacious bathing room, of which he couldn't make out much from where he stood. At the other end of the sitting room were the sleeping quarters. To his surprise, there seemed to be only one room. Dazzling blue pinned him as Deidara moved his pack to one of the chairs while walking over to the windows.

"Well…wait, you didn't notice?" Itachi blinked at such a question, pausing in his own path to the bedroom, loosening the straps from the katana around his chest so he could pull the weapon free and prop it against the wall.

"Notice what?" he asked, wondering what the blond could have been going on about. Yet his question seemed to put the other man at ease, the broad shoulders lowering slightly as he laughed, running fingers through bright, golden hair.

"Sometimes I wonder about you, un. Our little Lord was frickin' adorable, man! And he couldn't stop staring at you," again he blinked, mouth opening in surprise just to close again, bewilderment showing on his face. He had known the kid was staring at him but he hadn't really thought much about his looks. He supposed in a way the boy was attractive but as his coal colored gaze took in the blond standing in the window, still looking at the Uchiha with amusement written all over his face, he didn't really care about that boy. There was no need for him to notice those kinds of things anyway. He just shrugged, moving to the bedroom and nearly falling over in shock at its monstrous size.

"No, I had not noticed," he answered, not really paying much attention to the conversation anymore in favor of taking in the room. There was a chuckle from the outer room, the blond mumbling something about an oblivious Uchiha and he couldn't help but smirk. Then he was back to staring, marveling at the extravagance. The bed was a platform under the wide windows, covered with silk draping and nearly swallowed by pillows that dripped embroidery and braided cord. From the ceiling hung more gauzy draping, every color used rich and surprisingly dark. There were two steps leading up to the platform made of a dark stone he had never seen before, the surface of it looking rough. The rest of the floor was a deep, dark wood and in the corners there was an abundance of unlit paper lamps, their colors and sizes varying and matching the rest of the room's beauty. There was a low stand with an ornate covering that looked like might hold incense and a tall, freestanding mirror in one of the corners reflecting the light coming in from the window. A sudden image of a certain blond sprawled out on the shimmering silks and pillows made his mouth go dry and he could definitely get used to use extravagance if he got to see that.

There was movement in the other room of said blond moving from the windows before there was a sudden excited whoop that meant Deidara must have taken a look at the bathroom.

"Holy crap, Itachi! You should see this bathroom, un!" the dark haired man smiled at the outburst, wondering if it was as spectacular as the bedroom was. The answer to that was probably yes.

"You should see the bedroom," he returned, voice carrying through the suite. There was the sound of running water and a loud laugh that told him the other man had heard his offhanded comment.

"Is that an invitation?" the light tenor was slightly muffled and the dark haired Uchiha grinned for the first time in a long while, turning away from the bedroom and leaning casually on the doorframe, looking across the main room to where the sound of the running water was coming from. The blond returned the expression in the bathroom doorway, eyes sparkling. Itachi feigned disgust.

"Perhaps not. I caught a whiff of you before, you stink," the blonde's jaw dropped, much to Itachi's amusement before Deidara crossed his arms over his chest, glowering.

"Well, un, I'm sorry to offend your delicate Uchiha sensibilities. I'll remember that for next time. And let me just inform you, Mr. Oh-high-and-mighty, you didn't smell all that great, either," and the blond wrinkled his nose just to prove his point. The dark haired man's grin widened, stepping away from the door he was currently leaning on and advancing on the other man. Blue eyes widened at his expression.

"Then we'll just have to do something about that," his voice was pitched low, the way the other man liked and he saw the sapphire gaze darken slightly, remaining pinned on him as he continued to close the distance between him and the blond.

"Oh? And what might that be, hmm?" here Itachi reached the doorway and he lifted one eyebrow at the other man, leaning in so they stood very close.

"A bath," he growled and was pleased when the blond seemed to catch what he wanted him to say next.

"I think that can be arranged, un," and his blood warmed the slightest bit when a slender hand reached out and pressed against his chest, impressing the blonde's next words, "Only if I'm there to make sure you're doing it right, though," and Itachi breathed the smallest laugh as he drew the other man to him, pushing thick blond hair from the tawny skin to press a kiss behind one ear.

"Of course, Deidara-sama…"

Water dripped from his hand as he lazily watched blood-red petals twirl between his fingertips, absently admiring the soft, unexpected beauty of the flower Deidara had given him earlier.

The bathroom had been a rather pleasant surprise. It wasn't very big, shockingly enough, but it was spacious and done in white and gold marble. There were the normal bathroom necessities but it was the little extra things that lent the room its beauty. Like the large oval mirror over the sink with its shimmering golden edges and the freestanding tub that was larger than any he had ever seen, made out of beaten copper. Over the tub from the ceiling hung draperies much like those in the bedroom, their colors once again deep and rich. But what really caught his attention were the ceiling to floor windows cut into two of the four walls that led out onto a small private balcony. The best part was that from one such window could be seen the sea.

The sun had long since set and yet the wide expanse of the water still glittered faintly, from the light of the city or another source, he didn't know. Whatever it was, it transfixed him in its raw beauty.

"You know, un, he never asked our names and he didn't give us his," the words were pressed to his damp skin, warm breath making him realize that the water they were submerged in was beginning to cool. Bright yellow hair darkened to a warm bronze spread over his chest and shoulders as the other man pressed his face against Itachi's neck. The flower was the only thing that had really survived their rather violent undressing but he wasn't too concerned with the fate of their clothes as they were in desperate need of new ones by now anyway. No doubt if they asked they could request a set of kimono. Yet as of right now, clothes were the last thing on his mind. It was hard to form solid thoughts when his limbs were still buzzing pleasantly with the left over heat of an orgasm and his cock still buried in the tight heat of the blond straddling his lap. Somehow, he formed a reply, making himself concentrate on a conversation.

"I did notice that," his mumbled, eyes still hungrily on the glittering horizon even as he was hyper aware of Deidara pressed against him. It was moments like these that he forgot about the shadow of his past that constantly haunted him, forgot about the blood that stained his hands and was just allowed to be himself, allowed to show who he truly was without the fear of abandonment or pain. The line of small, round paper lamps strung across the ceiling rocked gently in the balmy, fragrant breeze wafting in through the open windows. A sigh hissed across the line of his neck and he grunted softly when the blond shifted his weight, not quite ready to leave that velvety heat.

"No doubt that was done on purpose," Itachi agreed with a soft hum, trailing blood red petals through lukewarm water, "I wonder what he's playing at, un," the soft tone drew his attention and he finally dropped his eyes to the blond head leaning against his shoulder.

"You think he's playing a game?" he mused aloud, thinking back on the meeting they had with the young Feudal Lord, those green eyes seeming to glow in his memory. Yet he wondered. Clearly, the boy wanted something beyond the aid of delivering a scroll. And he highly doubted, despite what Deidara had said, it had anything to do with himself and more to do with who he was; a powerful shinobi with no attachment to any place and nowhere he called home. Water shifted in easy ripples, the sound of it filling the quiet bathroom when the blond sat up, blue eyes studying the pale features of the man whose lap he still sat upon.

"Don't you? Otherwise, why wouldn't he give us his name? Or ask us ours, un? You have to admit, there's something more to this that we aren't seeing," tawny fingers swirled around the waving strands of black hair caught up in the bathwater and he watched them idly, thinking not for the first time that he really liked how his dark hair looked curled around that light golden color of his lover's skin.

"Indeed…" he paused, pursing his lips, "but I am inclined to think that it is not ill intent or with the wish to harm us," it was true. He had gotten no malicious vibes from the young man. More like an intense curiosity that would not be slacked no matter how many questions they were to answer. Deidara tipped his head to the side, long hair trailing through the water and over pale skin, something he did when he was thinking something over.

"Hmm, yeah, I guess…" then those blue eyes were studying the Uchiha's face, the expression in them darkening into something very familiar. A mischievous smile curled over those full lips as the blond leaned forward, arms coming up and around to drape casually around the younger man's shoulders, "So, before, you said something about the bedroom, un," he left it hanging, smile widening even as his lips parted when he felt the dark haired man's cock twitch to life while still inside the blonde's tight warmth. Itachi didn't smile but he lifted one eyebrow, suppressing the heat beginning to once again pool in his groin.

"Something, yes," his voice was always calm, a trait that often drove the other man mad but this time Deidara just smirked before he lifted himself off Itachi's lap, both of them gasping at the feeling of his erection pulling free of the blond. He watched as the lithe figure gracefully stepped over the rim of the tub, water running over the dips and curves of his muscles, leaving a puddle on the marble floors. Blue eyes were dark with desire as they regarded the Uchiha still reclining in the tub, well aware that the dark haired man was fully hard now from the show. Indeed, how could he not be while he eagerly watched clear drops follow the line of the blonde's body, the man's own cock stirring under the scrutiny of the onyx gaze.

"Maybe you'd like to show me what that something is, eh?" a little lift of those strong shoulders before the man was sweeping from the room, shooting him a sharp, meaningful look before he disappeared beyond the doorway, careless of the fact that he was still wet and completely naked. Itachi watched how the firm globes of the taught buttocks dipped with each step, catching how the flushed arousal bobbed in time with the blonde's steps. Well, when put like that…

The dark gaze just looked back out the window once before he was following the line of little puddles on the floor, evening air cool against his damp skin as he added to the trail of water that led to the bedroom. Then, as he rounded the corner, there was no more room for anything but the beautiful, golden haired man sprawled out among the thick pillows and silky cloths of the bed, body shimmering slightly in the soft lights of the lamps spread around the room. Nothing but the elegant line of his body, of the way he spread himself out, waiting for the younger man, of the small smile curled on those lips the Uchiha had grown to love so much.

The real thing, he decided, was better than what his imagination could ever come up with.

And in the blue, blue eyes that darkened with desire, there was his heart…

…End part 1…

*sighs* well, tell me what you all think because I'm still not sure about it...=_=