Months had turned to years that passed since that first visit to the Uchiha compound. They occurred very much the same, day after day, with the parents discussing topics that Kira neither understood nor took interest in. It was mostly the baby Sasuke that captured Kira's attention. Meanwhile, Itachi had seemed to warm up to Hikaru or perhaps found it easier to simply agree to whatever she had in store for the day, plans that tended to leave out the younger Tottori. But Kira didn't mind. She actually preferred this set up; it gave her plenty of time to go on adventures and explore the compound on her own all while Sasuke slept. Besides, Itachi's stare had become bearable but was still rather unsettling for the young girl and if she could avoid it, she would. She didn't like the way he made her feel.

Despite this and the history between the two clans, Kira was never treated disrespectfully as she wandered throughout the compound. In fact, she was adored by Uruchi who often invited the girl to her bakery, trading off assistance for sweets. And for the most part, she had made acquaintances with the Uchihas of her generation, the most notable being the infamous Shisui. Kira was quite fond of this Uchiha, admiring his abilities as a shinobi. She developed an easy infatuation with him just as she had with Sasuke. However, it didn't take long for her to realize that the feeling was hardly mutual.

Shisui on many occasions teased the young girl, claiming that he would love her if she could complete impossible tasks. Nevertheless, Kira strove to accomplish them to the best of her abilities with the tendency to fail miserably, sending Shisui and his companions roaring with laughter. After realizing her efforts were futile, Kira found herself returning to her normal routine all the while avoiding Shisui like an Uchiha plague.

But on this day, as Kira wandered the streets with a half-eaten cake lolly in hand, she felt a prickle under her skin and at once, the source. Further down the road, she caught sight of Hikaru and Itachi with their attentions directed to a certain show-off. Kira made to spin around to avoid the trio altogether but to her dismay, she was forced to come to a halt when a, "yo!" called after her.

She flinched, turning back towards the others to find a glowering Hikaru, an indifferent Itachi, and a grinning Shisui. He gave a wave and said in a teasing way, "Long time, no see, Kuriketto-chan!"

Kira sent him a quick glare, choosing to blatantly ignore the pet name the boy had christened her with after claiming that she chirped so irritably like the cricket he referred to her as. Instead, she focused her attention on her sister and Itachi, asking what their plans were for the day.

Hikaru latched onto Itachi's arm, smiling lovingly up at the boy. "Itachi-kun's taking to me to the fields outside the compound! Shisui here said that the wildflowers have bloomed and makes for a romantic getaway!"

Shisui slung an arm across Kira's shoulder, an action that made the girl tense up peevishly. "Hey, here's an idea!" His grin grew and Itachi sighed, shaking his head knowing full and well that his best friend was only up to no good. "Kuriketto-chan and I will join you two! It'll be like a double-date, eh?!"

"No!" The sisters snapped in unison. Hikaru would not have a day with Itachi wasted on Shisui's antics and Kira's temper. But well aware that her sister would be miserable in the presence of herself and Shisui, Kira chose that if being tormented by Shisui for one more day meant ruining that of her sister's, it would probably be a fair enough trade. And besides, she had explored just about all there was to see within the compound of the Uchiha's as well as her own. It was time for her to see what rested between the two, the parts of the village she rarely got to see.

"On second thought, I'm in," she said much to Hikaru's chagrin. And with no urge to cause a scene in front of the Uchihas, Hika breathed a small groan and relented.

Once in the field, Hikaru pulled Itachi away, insisting he tell her about things Kira ultimately decided were boring and apparently, Shisui shared the sentiment. Her plan to bother her sister for the day was so easily taken from her and now left with Shisui, her ill-temperament had settled in.

Kira walked deeper through the field of flowers and grass, where it tickled at her thighs and the blooms slowly rose above her head. Shisui followed behind her, hands kept in his pockets leisurely as he whistled to himself. Kira glanced back at him, wondering why he bothered to follow her and he flashed her a crooked grin. She rolled her eyes and scoffed in defiance, turning her attention back to the sea of blossoms before her. She stopped, satisfied with the spot and began to pluck at flowers intent on creating bouquets for Uruchi, Mikoto, her mother, and maybe even Sasuke.

Shisui watched her in mild amusement before he chose to speak. "Kuriketto-chan," he said, a tug at the corner of his lips. "I haven't seen you as much as I used to?"

Though it was an observation, to Kira, it sounded more like a taunt. Rather than giving him any satisfaction, Kira pursed her lips and outright ignored him. But the intensity of his smirk made her skin crawl and she knew he knew that he was unnerving her. With a huff, she set down her bouquets and glared at him. "You know, Uchiha-san," she bit, "you're an even stupider chihuahua than my own sister."

Shisui roared in laughter before abruptly stating, "I like you Kira, and I like you a lot!"

A different sort of heat rose to Kira's cheeks but her scowl persisted. She had no smart retort back so she chose to return to the flowers just as Shisui started whistling once more. The young girl would glance back every so often causing the boys grin to widen little by little each time that he caught her. Finally, he laughed and in a quick motion, he brushed back the bangs on the side of her face and planted a swift kiss on the girl's rosy cheek.

She shrieked, shoving him away as she scrambled to her feet. The action only made Shisui fall into laughter. Kira was quick to put a stop to his merriment by demanding furiously, "Leave me alone, Shisui!" He tilted his head to the side feigning innocence though the grin said otherwise. "I'm not a rag doll that you can play with when you choose!"

"But Kuriketto-chan," he cooed, "you are a doll; you're my doll, my little cricket, don't you see? I only toy with you because I love your silly reactions!"

But before Kira could snap back a piece of her mind, in an instant, Shisui's hand clamped over her mouth, his dangerously narrowed eyes silently warning her not to make a sound. The stalks began to rustle quietly, perhaps shaken softly by the breeze. But the air was thick and even Kira could sense that something was not right. A moment passed and Shisui slowly removed his hold on her but motioned for her to remain quiet. He instructed her to get on his back (to which she objected to no use) and he flitted through the field, heading back to where they had parted from the others. As the stalks cleared away and with her sister and Itachi in clear view, Shisui slowed and Kira slid from his back.

Sensing no threat and seeing no danger, Kira stomped away. "Typical! You're just up to your shenanigans again!" Her exclamations caught the other's attention and they slowly made way to them. "Well, I don't want any part of it, got it?! I'm-!" She was silenced by an object whizzing close past her ear and her flesh broke out into bumps. Her heart thudded as everything seemed to slow down and she took a shuddering breath. She spun around and her eyes widened as three kunai shot at her. She was rooted in her spot, unable to move. She could feel her mouth fall open as though to beg for someone to help. Fortunately, someone heard her plea.

With one arm, Shisui pulled Kira to him and with the other, deflected the kunai with one of his own. She could hear him cry "snap out of it," but it sounded so far off. Everything quickly fell into real time at the sound of her sister's cry. Kira pushed out of Shisui's embrace and desperately turned to Hikaru, relieved to have found Itachi was keeping her safe. In a flash, they appeared beside she and Shisui before sprinting in the direction of the wildflower sea.

"This way!" Shisui ordered, taking hold of Kira's hand and leading Itachi towards the shield of the towering flowers. From within the blooming forest, weapons flew past them, narrowly missing the children's flesh. Hikaru began crying hysterically, fearing the worst for herself and her companions. Shisui hissed at her, "Stop being such a baby and channel your energy to your legs instead of your tears!"

Kira stumbled and glanced back to see what had made her trip, only for Itachi to grab her free arm, stabilizing her and ultimately blocking her view of something she probably wasn't prepared to see. She paled and he urged her forward, pushing on the space between her shoulders before quickly brandishing a kunai and deflecting another attack.

They finally manage to break through to the other side of the field where it opened up to a clay street, lined with the police squad. The sudden appearance surprised the onlookers and forcing their way past the confused officers were none other than Mikoto and Saika. The mother's swept their children into their arms, worried tears streaming down their faces. Shisui headed to Fugaku to whom he reported what he had witnessed just moments before.

As Saika turned her attention to calm the hysterical Hikaru, Shisui headed back to Kira who sported a bemused look. He smiled softly at her in an attempt to settle her nerves, gently placing a hand on her shoulder. She still flinched. "You were pretty brave out there, huh, Kuriketto?" He chuckled lightly. "Heh, you didn't cry once! Not like your sister had. That's pretty brave, you know."

At that, Kira nodded her head once before breaking into tears. She threw her arms around Shisui for comfort, dismissing for the moment that fact that he was quite possibly the most annoying boy she had ever met. He grinned down at her, shaking his head in disbelief before returning the embrace. As Kira clutched onto him, she felt that tingle again, the uncomfortable sensation and she peeked from her shelter in Shisui's arms.

She could feel her face muddle with confusion and she wiped the tears from her cheeks. It was only for a moment but Kira had noticed that Itachi had been staring. From beneath her hand, she felt Shisui's chest rumble with a chuckle.

"Itachi is my best friend." Kira looked up to Shisui as he smirked over to the other Uchiha. "But let me tell you something, Kuriketto-chan. He's not one for competition."

Kira beat on his chest irritably. "Don't speak so mysteriously, you chihuahua!" In time, she would understand.

Author's Note:

In this chapter, 2 years have elapsed since the first. Therefore, Itachi is now 11, Hikaru 11, Kira 10, Shisui 13, and Sasuke 2.

"Kuriketto" translates to cricket so Kira's nickname is essentially "Miss Cricket." Shisui gave this name to her since she talked a lot when they had first met.

The fighting will be covered later on but it is in relation to the feud which is central to this story.

Best,

EC