I was inspired by the marvelous "Curse of the Cat" by Hitoko-sama as well as a beloved family film I've loved since I was a child, "My Brother the Pig", to bring this to life. :D It's a heartwarming tale for the whole family - and what I intend to do with this.

To keep the summary short: Itachi Uchiha has it all: a beautiful, loving fiancée, and he's gonna one day take over the family company. Though complications arise between him and Hanaru as well as Sasuke and the others - though his relationship with his little brother has long since been strained for years - and one day life becomes crazier when he is magically transformed into a cat (like Hitoko-sama's fic, albeit reversed). Now Hanaru, her little brother Naruto and his girlfriend Hinata, and Sasuke and his new wife Sakura all race to turn Itachi back into a human. Just when things don't get any worse as they face hilarity and danger on the way...

Disclaimer: Naruto and its characters all belong to the respectable Kishimoto. As for Hanaru, I say she's my OC, but the truth is that she belongs to my lovable boyfriend who loves me using her every now and then, and is SUPER involved. :D

Chapter One

Girl Meets Boy

Goddamn it all!

Her heart burst and then dropped into her stomach when none other than the Blue Screen of Death itself appeared on her precious PC. She had just finished her latest piece for creative writing class and had saved to flash drive in perfect timing when the screen itself flashed to the terror itself, making her scream and tug her hair.

"Just my luck," she spat, tempted to smash the keyboard but knew it would make matters worse. Her precious baby brother had warned her this thing was so old it could die any day. And it had been eight years since Grandpa Jiraiya and Grandma Tsunade got it for her as a middle school graduation present. She felt tears prick the corners of her eyes.

How can my baby go on me like this? I'm not in the mood of restarting again. Which left one option left. Looking at the clock, it was only five, and the place she had in mind wouldn't close until seven. She stood up and walked about her nicely furnished but still sparsely filled apartment to grab her mobile which was beside the lamp, having the tech company number in case something like this ever happened, and it was a damned good thing she did. "Thank you, Naruto, for that suggestion," she said aloud to no one in particular as she hit the number and impatiently went through the answering machine of hitting number three for tech support, her nerves on the frizz because she was so nervous...

"Uchiha Tech and Co. - how may I help you?"

Swallowing, she responded without a stutter. "Yes, my PC has suffered the blue screen, and if there is a way to send someone out here to take a look at it..." She fidgeted her knee-length nightshirt as a mild way to calm herself down, but it did so little.

The man on the other end sounded cheerful and professional at the same time. "Of course, miss; we will send someone out to you as soon as possible."

Hanaru Uzumaki could not have been more relieved. She just wanted her baby back with her so she could continue her life. In the meantime, she might as well stick to heading to the library at the college or asking her brother if she could get on his to type up her future work. She also had her new book to think about.

It was Tuesday, and her papers weren't due until Friday. Good thing she had classes for today, tomorrow and Friday. She'd asked the guy to come out here on Thursday between eleven and two. The sooner, the better. Relieved, she decided to get herself some food, deciding the leftover steak, chicken and rice from the down-the-street steakhouse was settling.

Finally, Thursday arrived, and she was done with the waiting. Three days was bad enough without her baby. At school could only do so much as the library where she would have plenty of time, but it was always limited. Naruto was the big help that he was, but even he was still only a freshman and constantly with his girlfriend and high school sweetheart that he still didn't get on the level his big sister did. You'd ask yourself sometimes how Naruto Uzumaki was still the hyperactive goofball he was and still made it to the top.

Take a look at the storage trunk serving as a coffee table between the soft tan leather sofa and loveseat itself, then onward to fine oak tables that looked like they were made by nature instead of hand. Each lamp was made of artificial bamboo. She just loved natural and organic, believed it from the heart that it was more magical than in-your-face diamonds.

Hanaru tied her red-streaked blonde hair into a high ponytail before picking up the perfume bottle and spraying her neck. The smell of white flowers, creamy vanilla and musk made her feel sophisticated. Finally, she slipped on her jewelry, which was a pair of dragonfly earrings; here in Japan, the beautiful winged insect represented good fortune and protection. Hanaru's necklace was a beautiful amber drop accented above with a smaller tear-shaped aquamarine, resting over her heart. Her watch was a thin black leather band with the frame around the face etched with small blue crystals. The ring around her right third finger had a blue sapphire with a diamond on either side.

She hoped she looked good, but what the hell was she trying to do? It wasn't like she was interested in a dating service! She snorted when she looked over herself in her blue-and-white striped cardigan over her studded gray tee and faded jeans. No guys - all guys are the same: they are interested in one thing and not commitment.

Hanaru Uzumaki had tried dating in high school, but all the potential loves of her life were nothing but hormones that she managed to get out of quickly because she intended a serious relationship; her beaus were the opposite, and when she graduated, she pushed all thoughts of guys aside and focused on her career which included writing and art. She had a great passion for fantasy in various forms: she loved art in every sense, every mythology and literature she'd grasped her hands on. Of course, she did consider getting a job someplace as backup, but she hadn't been successful in that department, either. She was always picky and choosy about everything that came her way.

And here I am in my final year in college, without an idea, still. If I don't choose, then I'm unemployed and forced to move back in with Grandma and Grandpa just like my brother currently lives with them - or maybe go with Naruto and Hinata together when they get their own place.

Her younger brother by three years, Naruto, had such high ambitions to one day become a "badass lawyer", since their parents had been, but she was always wary of that because one of their perps ordered their deaths, orphaning her and her brother, raised by their grandparents. So, yeah, that was her if she didn't find a good job to sustain herself. It was that, or be forced to marry a guy who could take care of her. She hated to rely on some man for that...

The doorbell rang, snapping her out of her thoughts. She blew a sigh of relief. Finally, get this over and done with. She put her clear raspberry gloss on for a shine and flavor before pinching her cheeks for color and making way out of her bedroom, picking up her closed laptop and heading to open the door. "Thank you for coming," she said, not making direct eye contact with the guy, but taking in the clothes he wore and the body build, making herself flushed a bit.

The man was in a white dress shirt tucked into very dark jeans, the sleeves rolled up to his elbows. She was surprised to take in the fact that his nails were painted black. His body was lean and lightly muscled. Around one shoulder was a black leather bag. Hanaru glimpsed his name pinned to the left of his shirt: Itachi U. Her eyes widened a little. He must be an Uchiha...

"Ahem, Uzumaki-san? Are you going to invite me in then?" a rich, velvety voice inquired smoothly, making her snap her eyes to his face, and she gasped, stumbling back by one.

Kami, am I...in...heaven...?

Just how could she describe the extremely handsome face she looked upon, and found herself enraptured within twin pools of lustrous onyx, drowning her like a black hole in space? Beneath those eyes were two downward curving lines; she wasn't sure if they were real scars or if it was natural. His nose was perfect, and his lips...oh, man, what was she thinking? As for his hair, it was long and probably reaching the middle of his back, dark as his eyes and shining like a raven's wing, tied back in a low ponytail.

She realized he'd stepped inside, standing too close to her, and she couldn't believe what a damned idiot she was for staring. "Oh, God! I'm sorry," she stuttered, feeling her cheeks burn with embarrassment. "Yes, please come in." She stepped aside and closed the door behind him. She watched as he took a look at her abode without a change of expression. He was impassive, hard to read, and so smooth yet casual. "Thanks for coming."

"Hn." He stopped gazing at his surroundings and turned his attention back to her. He didn't smile, but his eyes were shining. "Itachi Uchiha is my name."

"Oh, yes...so that means...?" Damn it, she sounded like an idiot. And what the hell am I getting all flushed up for? He's here to take a look at my baby and see if it can be fixed, that's all!

"Indeed, my family runs the company you called." This was when he did smile, and it was slight, penetrating that icily sculpted face of his, deepening the flush in her flesh. "Now, about your little situation..." His voice made her nerves vibrate, but she ignored it and held out her "baby" as the answer. "Hmm, I see. Wouldn't mind if I take a look at it?" Itachi asked smoothly, reaching out with both hands, and that was when she noticed the ring glittering on the third finger of his right hand.

Gods, that looks like something from medieval times. Like, a man winning a lady's heart by joining the battle. The stone was a smooth, deep wine red, set in antique steel fashioned like the cross of those times. It was so perfect being on the hand that opened up the computer and began to examine the issue. Black-tipped fingers, delicate as a piano player's, flew over the board with careful precision. Hanaru was in awe as she watched him, sitting down on the other side of the sofa and feeling like a specter, watching him more than she watched him work.

Her heart was beating rapidly. She hadn't felt like this since high school, so why were the gods playing with her like this? Sending an uber sexy man from the vast tech company of Konoha, run by one of the oldest living families, on her way to take a look at her fate?

Just sitting next to him also enflamed her senses when she smelled him - his aftershave, cologne or whatever, and it seemed damned expensive, but she'd been wrong before; she whiffed something like leather, sandalwood and green tea. It was powerful...stimulating...

"Well, Uzumaki-san -" His voice cleared her to reality. His intense gaze was still glued to the screen. "- it appears that I'm going to have to take this with me overnight so I can give it a new driver. I'm afraid that I won't return it until Saturday morning."

She swallowed and looked at him with horror. "N-n-new dr-driver?" she stuttered, slapping a hand over her mouth in dismay at herself. He looked at her with a raised eyebrow, eyes glittering with bemusement.

"Of course. Now, may I ask how long you have had this piece of work?"

Was she imagining things, or was he mocking her now? Oh, he was hot stuff, but he was also so hot-headed; she would give him that. "Almost ten years. My grandparents got it for me as a middle school grad present," she answered passionately. "Everything I love is on there, and I take care of it constantly." He chuckled.

"Passionate, are we? Do you feel like you can...confide in me as to what you do?" Itachi asked lightly, the words rolling off his tongue like dark chocolate.

"I'm a college student, taking literature and creative writing. I'm also working on my first novel," Hanaru answered proudly, drawing a smile to one corner and another "hn". These Uchiha must not be very good at conversation - much less casual. Her nerves were on fire and not in a good way. But how could she speak to him like this when she asked for his help?

"Rest assured, then, I'll make sure to store your precious work - unless you have backup drives." Itachi stated the obvious. "Not that I would call you a fool or anything."

Hanaru lifted her chin. "I did save it all - but the blue screen hit me out of the blue."

"As it does to anyone." He cleared his throat and closed the laptop before standing and stretching himself. The groans he emitted almost made her do the same. He then bent forward to pick up her precious cargo and wrapped the attached battery cord with great skill before tucking it under his arm. A part of her wanted to grab his arm and see how strong his muscles were -

"Uchiha-san?" He paused at the door to her apartment and raised an eyebrow. "Will I see you again when you...fix the problem?" she asked shyly.

He stared at her for a moment before snorting. "Who else would I entrust your fate with? I assure you, it's safe in my own capable hands," he purred, leaning in close to her face, his hot, sweet breath washing over her senses, and just like that - but not before leaving his business card, price saved for when he returned - he was gone, and Hanaru Uzumaki was left flushed to the face and in a daze.

One, she was happy her baby would come back safe and sound.

Two, the man sent out to her would save her life.

And three, said man was uber sexy...like a GOD.

~o~

Closing time at seven, and he was more than relieved. He was ready to head down to the barbeque place to pick up his and Sakura's usual when dearest big brother walked back in through the doors of their department store. Konoha wasn't a small town, but it wasn't as great as Tokyo, either. They were one of the few in the nation to survive any hardships to be thrown in their direction. Ever since its founding, Uchiha Tech and Co., which their father's great-grandfather established, was the first topmost and reliable in evolving technological standards. Everything from support to competition - small as it was nowadays, given economic crises today.

Itachi would one day take over, but right now, their uncle Madara was in charge. You know how it was with old traditions, and traditional value remained today within the Uchiha. Both Sasuke and Uncle Izuna were second and therefore lower. Izuna was manager here, marking Itachi as assistant - and the pride and prodigy - which left Sasuke Uchiha the lowly one behind the counter, amongst the rest of the staff. All his life of trying to prove himself in his family's eyes, namely his brother's. If their father were alive today, he'd say "That's my boy" to none other than his precious firstborn Itachi.

It had been ten years since Fugaku and Mikoto Uchiha were killed - and by killed, the word was murdered. By a corrupt government official; Fugaku himself had been called in when the staff was shorthanded to repair the man's office computer...and to keep it short, he'd accidentally come across something he shouldn't have. As a result to keep quiet, he and his wife were offed. The demon's hired hand would have gotten his hands on both their sons if Itachi had not been the brave elder to get a hold of the police right away, because Madara had a friend within the force, and it wasn't long before the suspect was caught and testified.

He had been hired, according to the court testimony, and the official who paid him was also brought in as a suspect, but due to the lack of evidence, the man was let go...and the brave lawyer who prosecuted him as well as his wife who was also in the firm were shot and killed soon after.

The son of those two happened to be my best friend. The first person I ever began to trust since Mother and Father were...

"Aniki, is that in need of a repair?" he asked when Itachi passed by his counter after the last customer purchased a new version of malware protection. The elder Uchiha stopped and regarded him, having the PC wrapped with its charging cord underneath his arm.

"Hn, to put it bluntly, the Blue Screen of Death, according to the client herself," Itachi answered, and ended it there to head for his small office. Sasuke glared at him after the door closed, shaking his head.

Big brother, you're never going to forgive me, are you?

If you were wondering, this had nothing to do with the deaths of their parents; that had all been Sasuke's part as he'd closed himself off from Itachi altogether and their uncles who raised them after. Sasuke was only eight at the time; what could you expect of a child who grew up happy and looking up to his big brother, fighting to be recognized by his father one day, washed with love by his mother and spoiled by both his uncles on his father's side? Itachi was the strong one for him, but the younger was wrapped up in his own pain that he didn't know how to deal with his kind, gentle and understanding older brother anymore. His childhood had been taken away from him.

Itachi had known all along and had to express his emotions by the time Sasuke was thirteen and just hitting puberty, when he decided that his pain had to be completely kept in to himself. "You honestly thought you were the only one to lose your innocence, Sasuke?!" he'd exclaimed in dismay, before contorting to anger. "I was traumatized as much as you were, otouto! They were MY parents, too!"

High school got worse, but don't ask the now-adult Sasuke for the details. But know this in short by the time it was over: his and Itachi's relationship was never the same again when Sasuke chose to marry his first love fresh out of graduating.

Sakura Haruno was the first in her family to ever be accepted into medical school on a scholarship; sometimes, Sasuke wondered if he was worthy to marry her, especially so quickly. But she accepted him for who he was and not for who she wanted him to be, so that was the main reason he decided why wait.

Getting on his motorcycle, Sasuke found himself at the Akimichi BBQ and Grill, having been run by Choji's family for the longest time. The majority of the businesses in Konoha were family-oriented, and very few of the young generations ever made it out of here. And few unlike himself and Naruto would truly leave, because this was the home they loved so much. Choji and his father yelled out boisterously to him when he arrived through the front doors in his signature black leather coat, white t-shirt and faded jeans. He was one of their favorite customers, and Naruto when the dobe wasn't obsessively at Ichiraku's next door.

Choza Akimichi bellowed at his favorite Uchiha, making the raven head smirk to one side of his mouth. "Say, Sasuke, the usual for you and the wife?" Before he could answer, the man interrupted him with a wave and more laughter. "No need to answer."

"Thanks, sir," Sasuke answered as he reached into his pockets to fish out his wallet, and when he did and opened it, the first sight he was greeted with was none other than his and Sakura's wedding picture.

He didn't pay attention to her the first time her father brought her to her new husband that day on the local beach beneath a sunset, surrounded by their friends and their family, small and intimate, but she'd worn her mother's dress which accentuated her beautifully. He took in how those lovely parts of her were flaunted: the scalloped lace ended at the knees and were shoved off the shoulders, the sleeves long and fitted to her wrists. Beautiful crystals dangled from her ears in blushing bursts. It hadn't taken much convincing to ask her parents' permission, but for his side, only one person objected and had chosen not to show up on the best day of his life.

Nothing other than giving me Mother and Father's wedding rings, before not showing up to even be my best man. Naruto was the one, but my dear brother...

Sasuke found himself looking down at the snug rose-gold band around his finger; Sakura's was matching, and luck had been on their side when Mikoto's ring hugged her delicate finger as it was supposed to. And you may kiss the bride... The one to perform the service was none other than Uncle Izuna, who had somehow favored him even though Madara loved both his nephews. Madara had been, at first, wary of his youngest nephew tying the knot fresh of turning eighteen soon, but Sasuke was a man now. And it wasn't like he was special as Itachi to face the pressures of taking over family business.

Sasuke paid for the food when it was done and bade the Akimichi men good night before heading home to his wife who had just gotten off her shift at the emergency room and had tons of schoolwork to finish. That was more pressure to deal with than him. Sometimes, Sasuke wondered why he didn't find anything in life that satisfied him, but it wasn't like anything else in particular interested him. He could let it go and let what happened happen, as long as he placed his own foot down.

He reached the apartment he shared with Sakura in no time. It was on the campus of the medical school and Konoha General Hospital. His motorcycle was his life whereas she owned her precious Porsche; someday when they began a family, it meant trading their youthful lives for something bigger and family-oriented. Sasuke would never dream of asking his uncles or even Ice Prince himself for help; he worked his own ass off enough. He yelled to his wife that he was home, and the smell of barbeque got her attention.

Sakura had been lounging on the couch with her medical books and laptop in the mix, dressed in a pink hoodie that reached mid-thigh. He found that sexier than any designer lingerie she would have tried to please him with in high school days. It had been barely a year since they got married, and life was good to them. She beamed and stood to run over and kiss him before helping him take the bags into the small kitchen.

"Hard day again?" She used to press him and try to please him out of all the fangirls he would get hounding him, but she gave up when she was paired with him one day along with Naruto for a class project, and from then on, they hit it off.

"Hn."

She sighed. "Let me guess." She shook her head, knowing him well enough. "When is your brother ever going to stop giving you the cold shoulder over this? He was supposed to be there for you." She kissed his cheek, and he wished he could return it with the same rigorous affection she lavished on him.

I wish so, too...but he's such a bastard. A part of me blames myself for pushing him away after our parents' deaths.

"I'm glad I was an only child, so I didn't have to deal with sibling drama."

Sasuke gave her a wry smirk. "And that's why I envy you." Now he had it in himself to kiss her back on the lips she puckered out for him.

~o~

He took work home with him often, in the privacy of his apartment given to him as a gift from Uncle Madara, but after the first rental, he chose to take care of it on his own because he was a responsible man, not a lazy bum who let others do everything for him. The client's issue was none other than the "Blue Screen of Death", per quote, making him chuckle and begin using it habitually when otouto asked as soon as he walked back in through their doors just before closing time.

In the norm, Itachi Uchiha was irritated at being called at the last minute when he was ready to go home, but this case was special, it seemed, when he learned the name of the woman. Hanaru Uzumaki...

Could she be related to the late Minato and Kushina Uzumaki - and Naruto - somehow?

He remembered the mentioned couple besides their son who happened to be Sasuke's best friend since childhood; they were the only ones ferociously brave enough to stand up to one of the most influential but nefarious men in the system - at the costs of their own lives. The man had been let go without solid proof over the hired murder of his parents, and the impact on his little brother left Sasuke a shell of who he was.

Itachi sighed and pinched the bridge of his nose, closing the device that he promised its owner would be returned to her by Saturday morning, given tomorrow would be too busy for him to make the time for her. He was the one to take personal requests.

Why could Sasuke never understand the losses of Fugaku and Mikoto were also his?

And what was worse: his little brother had to cause trouble in high school before going ahead and getting married soon after graduating.

He did want to admit that Sakura Haruno pulled his brother out of that dark pit, but to go and rush into marriage like that? Being the elder, he confessed that it was too immature to get back at him like that, but he also wanted Sasuke happy. And yet, why did I have to bail on him when he needed me the most, coming up with a last-minute meeting with a client instead of being his best man...? He wanted to say that just being present was spoiling Sasuke's joy - when he knew, deep down, it hurt his brother worse.

"I married the girl I love, the first I ever opened up to - but look at you still lonely and successful. No wonder you're the pride."

Those words hurt Itachi's heart more than the teenage rebellion.

They loved both nephews, but uncles Madara and Izuna sometimes wondered if they should have gotten Sasuke the therapy he needed when he became a teenager and things had gotten worse, but Itachi had to step in and say that it would further shatter any trust that remained. But now, he second-guessed those times and wondered if it was too late...

No, Sasuke's done better now...but I wish I could say the same for our relationship. Is it ever going to repair...?

He stopped his thoughts there and focused on a drink and a good night's rest for tomorrow. Of all the things to look forward to after that, it was that he would return this to the woman and nothing more. But he wouldn't deny that Uzumaki-san had a...spark of life that he hadn't seen in a long time.

When Itachi closed his eyes that night, a pair of bright blue eyes filled with passion penetrated his usually dreary and forgettable night.

To clear up differences with "Curse of the Cat", there is no incest, homosexuality, or even Kyuubi in here. But as for how Itachi will become a cat will be a complete surprise and in different circumstances. :) This is gonna be FUN. But for now, we focus on him and Hanaru meeting and falling in love - and later on complications.

Who HASN'T called Itachi an "Ice Prince" outside me and Hitoko-sama? XD He does give off that vibe.