{ never what it seems to be. [itachi]

[{ ashurii m }]

The day was warm, oddly so for the season, and Ashurii really enjoyed it. She might like the colder seasons, but that didn't mean she hated the warmer weather; the leaves blowing in the warm breeze as she meandered her way through the city was one of her favorite things. I'm so glad it's finally warm, even if it's only for a day or two. Goddess knows we need it. she thought. Maybe the snow will finally melt.

She stopped when she came to the bridge, a small grin on her pale face, light-hued eyes sparkling with remembered emotion; this bridge had been a favorite family gathering spot ever since she was a little girl. "This place hardly ever seems to change." she murmured, leaning against the sturdy side and hoisting herself onto the rail- one of the few things involving movement that she could safely do.

[Itachi Uchiha]

He was out. After putting up with the fights of the other Akatsuki and the TV blaring 24/7, he was out of there. It had been a while since he had time to spend time with his own thoughts. What better way to enjoy them then a walk? Besides, he had to admit, it was rather nice out. Not icy like it usually was this time of year, but warm. It was odd, but enjoyable. Well, global warming got one thing right. He was passing the park now, where he would then head across the bridge and then head back. It wasn't a marathon walk or something, but Pein liked to know where his members were, so Itachi expected he would be a little irritated if he stayed out for too long.

As he continued his stroll. the bridge came into sight. Most of the citizens of Konoha had loved this bridge as a child, and h had been no exception. When they were younger, he would sit in front of the rail with Sasuke, pointing out all of the fish in the stream or leaves that floated down the river. Everything seemed to be the same... apart from that girl. Itachi knew her from school, Ashurri Mitsukai. She had givent eh Akatsuki a bit of grief, threatening to curse Deidara once. The blonde had told the Akatsuki about it when they returned from school, and Hidan promptly complained about her 'fake religion' and boasted about Jashinism. Everyone had left at this point, except for Konan, who just sat and listened.

Itachi walked up to the rail, looking at the river. He wasn't going to try and make conversation with her, seeing as she would most likely just scold him for terrorizing students and such. No, he would just have a look, and go. He didn't want to keep Pein waiting too long, after all.

OOC: ... I think that was my first post as Itachi that didn't fail. THIS SITE IS MAGICAL! *flail*

[{ ashurii m }]

It was strange how quiet the area was; with weather like this, she would expect tons of children and their families to be there. The silence and solitude were welcome, though; she had discovered that she liked being alone more than she liked being around people. People were okay, she supposed, when you were in the mood for them- but she never really was. Able to immerse herself completely in other activities easily, she viewed people as more of a distraction than anything else.

And speak of the devil. Who else would come sauntering up the path but Itachi Uchiha, whom she had never liked or gotten along with, and who seemed to enjoy terrorizing her at most opportunities. She stifled a low groan as he headed towards the bridge... and then stopped by her. Wonderful. Just wonderful. With her kind of luck he'd push her into the water.

[Itachi Uchiha]

If he wanted to, he could have smirked as he saw how uncomfortable he was making her. He had to give it to her though, most would've moved away rather quickly. Hmm, this was actually turning out to be fun, he might stick around a little longer. He'd just have to cut back on his walk. But seeing this reaction from her was worth it. It wasn't like he was studying her, like Sasori did, or recording how she acted. It was just good to see someone feel something.

The river was also rather nice, light reflecting off it. Well, it wasn't really reflecting off water. But the ice was starting to melt, so he supposed it could count as water. It was starting to warm up already, which was a bit of a relief. It meant the other Akatsuki members would start getting out more.

[{ ashurii m }]

If I pretend that he isn't here maybe he'll disappear. Yeah, just disappear. Like a hallucination or something. she thought hopefully. But she was relatively sane, sober, totally clean, so she highly doubted she was imagining him. If she was imagining anything, it definitely wouldn't be him, anyways. Well, if you couldn't make them disappear by thinking and wishing really, really hard... It couldn't hurt to talk to him. Well, not much anyways. If he was going to push her off the bridge he would have already.

"Hi, Itachi." she said, rather too cheerful to really be believed, but it wasn't like she could be calm and cheery talking to him. With her luck, he would rape her or something equally unpleasant. Why did I talk to him? What possessed me? she wondered. Well, it was too late to not talk now.

[Itachi Uchiha]

His eyes shifted over to her as she spoke, slightly surprised she had actually decided to speak to him. After all, she made it clear what her feelings for him, and the rest of the Akatsuki were. Still, his face remained as stoic as ever. Hm, well, we're outside of school. that means any physical harm could be taken to the police.

"Hello." He responded, looking back at the water... ice... whatever it was. He could see that the ice was melting anyway, but you never knew, it might start snowing again. "So, what brings you here?"

[{ ashurii m }]

So far, so good. He seemed rather surprised, though it wasn't like she could blame him; after all, no one usually made a point of chatting up their enemies... especially not the enemies that could easily kick her ass, if they so desired. But at least he was talking back and not seeming so violent.

"Nothing much... reminiscing, I suppose. My family used to have picnics here all the time when I was a little girl." Ashurii replied, in a much calmer and believable tone. His lack of outward violence was rather reassuring... to a point anyways. "What about you?" She didn't expect an answer from him, though; he'd probably confess his love for Kisame before answering a question of hers. Well... okay, so maybe not. But something equally impossible, but involving fewer oddly sized men with a taste for blood and guts.

[Itachi Uchiha]

Ah, another happy family moment on the bridge. How cliche. Still, what else was there to expect? This bridge wasn't all that exciting otherwise. But it was relatively calm, which was a god send in a town like this one. After all, with the crime rate. obesity... and himself and the rest of the Akatsuki, this town was anything but peaceful.

"That's personal." She really expected him to answer that? Sure, he had asked the same thing, but there was no way he would answer that question. The idea was ludicrous... to him anyway. Besides, he didn't want to give away anything about the Akatsuki, even if it was just the fact that living with the Akatsuki was worse then staying with a bunch of bitchy teenage girls.

[{ ashurii m }]

"I knew you were going to say that." Ashurii told him, tone amused. It wasn't like she really cared, unless he was looking for someone to abuse, because then it would probably be her. "It isn't like I'm honestly curious about anything you do or why." That was a white lie, though; sometimes she wondered about what he did in his free time, just because she was naturally curious.

She touched a hand to her necklace, fingering the small pendant like she always did when she was rather nervous. He would most likely notice and take advantage- he wouldn't be Itachi if he didn't.

[Itachi Uchiha]

If Itachi had been someone else, he would've scoffed at that. He wasn't that naive. In fact, he wasn't naive in the least. It came with being a member of the Akatsuki, he supposed. "Really now? Then why did you ask?" Ashurri was easy for him to read, but he had a feeling that she was trying to analyze him as well. He expected it wouldn't be as easy, but then again, how was he to know?

He watched curiously as she played with the pendant hanging around her neck, which he recognized what he thought was the Wicca symbol. He walked over to wards the girl, feeling the chance to fulfill some of his quota. technically, they weren't in school, but he supposed this would count anyway. He stopped a few feet in front of her, watching her fidget with the pendant. Even though he was sure he knew the answer, asking wouldn't hurt. "What does that pendant symbolize?" He inquired, his face blank as usual.

[{ ashurii m }]

Ashurii shrugged at him. "I asked because I could." she told him simply. That, and the fact that he had asked her the very same question, which she wasn't too reluctant to answer. She studied him, wondering if anyone ever really knew what he was thinking; somehow, she highly doubted that. She twitched slightly as he stepped closer. Joy. Here came the violence, because there was no way someone like him wouldn't make it violent, and it wasn't like Ashurii could do much of anything to stop him, she with the ability to fall when standing completely still.

"This? Oh, it's a symbol of peace and protection, good will and intentions, and the presence of the Goddess, at least it is to me." she replied as calmly as she could with him staring at her like that- which wasn't very calmly at all.

[Itachi Uchiha]

Protection? How was a little necklace supposed to protect someone? Unless it created some invisible shield around her or something, he doubted it actually had a practical purpose. A little trinket used to assure oneself about their safety, even though they knew it would do nothing to help them in a real life situation. Though, so far he was doing well. While she struggled to look calm, it was easy to see how uncomfortable she was.

"Protection? I doubt that could protect someone. For instance," He grabbed her arm, eyes icy cold. This was all part of being an Akatsuki, keeping a strong hold on the school on their students. However, they preferred to use force. "It wouldn't be able to stop me from pushing you off this bridge."

[{ ashurii m }]

"Actually, I meant spiritual protection, not physical protection." she told him matter-of-factly, trying- and failing- to not flinch when he suddenly took a hold of her arm. This was certainly going to be as unpleasant as he could make it, wasn't it? "I would really appreciate not being pushed off the bridge. It's not at all necessary." Ashurii informed him with a little nervous laugh. Okay, maybe she was becoming psychic or something... He wouldn't really push her off a bridge, would he?

The ice in his eyes said he would. But... she was having a hard time believing him. A very hard time. Why would he do anything outside of school, where she could easily call the police? ...well, she could call the police if she hadn't dropped her cell phone in a pot of tea. Okay, well, she was officially screwed.

[Itachi Uchiha]

"Perhaps not. Still, I never really asked you whether you would appreciate it or not." Still, she had a point. Why did he want to push her off the bridge? He put it down to stress release. After putting up with the other member's bitching, he needed someone to take it out on. Ashurri seemed like a good choice.

OOC: So short! DX *flail*

[{ ashurii m }]

"Let me rephrase that. Please don't push me off the bridge." Ashurii pleaded. Really, he didn't need to push her off of it. Why didn't he just beat the crap out of her like any other Akatsuki member would do? But no- he was the creative one. "I really don't need to end up in the hospital again." Because then her parents would start asking questions, and she preferred her life as question-free as possible. Pleas don't push me off, please don't push me off. she chanted in her mind. "Isn't there something else you'd rather do? Like, I don't know, go find some masochist or one of your worshipers to push off a bridge?"

[Itachi Uchiha]

Again? Ah, so she had been in a hospital before. Well, at least she would be somewhat familiar with the experience. Still, it annoyed him at how she was trying to work her way out of it. She couldn't just accept that he was going to push her off the bridge? She might as well save her breath for when she tried to swim to shore once she hit the water.

"Not really. I think I'll work with what I have already. It would be a shame to waste an opportunity such as this one." For split second he thought about just pushing her off now. Still, he wanted to mess with her. While it was annoying how she pleaded to be set free, he still wanted to hear it.

OOC: Itachi, you little pretend sadist. XD

[{ ashurii m }]

Ashurii twitched again, staring at him. "Why can't you be a normal sadist instead of a creative one? Would that really be difficult?" she asked him, only half serious. Why did he have to be sadistic at all? "Um. Well then. Is there anything you want to do that doesn't involve me and bridges?" She hoped to the Goddess he might have something else slightly more pleasant in mind... Probably not. But it never hurt to ask. She was even trying to smile a little bit.

[Itachi Uchiha]

"No, but I find this to be a lot more fulfilling." With every word she uttered, this became less appealing. Or was it the other way around? Whichever, if he didn't push her off soon, he'd lose the chance. Still, he wouldn't do that mid question. It would make him seem ignorant. Besides, messing with others mentally worked as well as it did physically. And they had no proof unless there was a witness.

"Not really, this is the only thing that comes to mind." His grip on her arm tightened, deciding that no would have to be the moment. "And stand straight as you hit the water." With that, he attempted to push her over the rail, eyes void of emotion.

[{ ashurii m }]

"And I find it rather painful." Ashurii chimed in. "You need to find a hobby that doesn't involve potentially killing people." Which was basically any hobby on the planet. But of course he wouldn't listen to her; no one ever did. "If I were you, I would take up a hobby like hapkido or painting or anything but being a violent asshat." With that said, she uttered another small, nervous chuckle, before finding herself attempting to cling to the bridge railing.

"Damn you!" she yelped, losing her grip on it and falling onto the amalgamation of ice and water that was the river. Within a few seconds she was out cold, having hit her head on a rather large chunk of glittering ice.

[Itachi Uchiha]

Itachi watched as the girl fell over the edge, yelling at him as she did so. He watched she slipped out of consciousness, watching her with an unreadable expression. "Foolish girl, I'm already damned." He murmured, turning to walk away. However as he did so, he felt a stabbing in his chest, flooded with memories. The dead bodies of his kin, blood on his fourteen year old hands. He remembered his little brothers' awestruck face... and his shaking as he ran away.

I know I'm going to regret this. He jumped onto the bank of the river, slowly wading onto the still frozen ice. he had to move quickly, or she could be frozen beneath the ice. Reaching the middle of the river, he carefully lifted her body out of the icy water. As they reached the shore again, he placed his hand against her wrist, finding her pulse. Thank Kami. Still, if we stay out here any longer she could get hypothermia. He began to head away from the bridge, walking towards the hospital.

OOC: So, shall we start a new thread at the currently nonexistent hospital? XD

[{ ashurii m }]

ooc;; hospital here, derppp. and yus, thread would be nice.

Ashurii let out a small groan as he lifted her from the icy river, limp and shivering.

failpost.

[Itachi Uchiha]

Itachi sped up as the hospital came into view, looking down at Ashurri. Yup, she was going to kill him. He entered the parking lot, heading towards the building. Now he just has to hope he hadn't killed her.

END THREAD