You softly washed the silk Akatsuki robe. Your fingers ran along the fibers of the cloth, the grooves of your prints moving along the individual threads.

Itachi Uchiha laid against the floor and slowly rubbed his finger up and down your spine, while you scrubbed the blood from the uniform. You couldn't help but flinch from his hand.

The bruises that marked your skin was like paint, splattered across your back and arms.

Itachi's fingers trailed around your back. You bit your lip and hissed at the pain.

You pulled the robe out of the water and stood up. You brought it to the drying rack and hung it carefully.

Two arms slithered around your waist. You closed your eyes and let Itachi hug you close.

"___________ I had another dream about you...."

You looked at your feet, "Yeah....?"

His fingers dug into your sides, "I dreamt that you escaped."

You then turned to him. You brushed some hair out of his face and said softly, with a maternal smile, "I would never do that to you Itachi.... I love you...."

Itachi kissed your lips and hugged you. You hugged back. Itachi was like a child, his nightmares needed to be tended to. He needed to be comforted and reassured.

You knelt down and let Itachi use your lap as a pillow. You smiled at his sleeping figure. You still loved Itachi, despite his violent tendencies.

You blinked away tears and kissed his head. You wanted this to remain. This peaceful time you and Itachi had. However, like a child being shook awake, you needed to be woken from your dream.

~~~

You bowed your head and felt the flogging become numb. Bloody and tired, you hit the ground. Your skin brushed over the wooden floor, and you seethed.

Silk blankets draped over your shoulders. You closed your eyes and breathed out. Itachi laid next to you and curled around you. You felt his strong arms protect you from the horrible outside and nuzzled into his abusive embrace.