A/N: Second update in a day, hopefully I can keep up a good pace.

I said before I have a few pre-written chapters, but I am beta-ing for myself so do let me know if I have any terrible mistakes.

This chapter and the next are all about building the relationship between Shisui and Akira since he's a main character, he helps to lead it into an ItachiXOC fic.

Enjoy! x

The morning came around in no time, and despite the jittering butterflies that were slowly beginning to swarm in my stomach, I hurried to get myself ready. I had never been to anything like this before, and I was going on memory from previous years of observing from afar.

I picked out a pretty, knee-length pastel blue dress and my favourite pair of white leggings with small navy heels to match. I tied my hair into a scruffy bun allowing a couple of loose teal strands to fall around my face. Satisfied, I skipped to my window and pulled open the heavy curtains to reveal the already hectic crowds hurrying through the streets toward the Hokage tower.

I wandered outside to join them, and as we came to a halt in front of the village leaders home, I couldn't help but gasp at it's enormity.

'Couldn't resist seeing me again, huh?' Shisui's voice made me jump as he appeared beside me, and I was mildly impressed that he had managed to force his way through the crowds so swiftly.

'Yeah, you wish.' I smirked at him as he pouted. 'I've never been to one of these things… I was curious.'

'Curiosity killed the cat, you know.' He winked and before I could respond, the crowd was silenced as the Third Hokage graced us with his appearance at the top of the building.

'My fellow people, I would first like to thank you all on behalf of the elders and respected village leaders for your attendance on this day. I sincerely wish you all the very best in this coming season, and the many more to come. Without further ado, I declare the Konaha Cherry Blossom Festival… Open!' There was a light explosion from either side of the tower, and a flurry of pearl-coloured flower petals came tumbling over the now-deafening crowd.

I grinned, my eyes following one of the delicate pink flecks as it floated into the sea of heads. Shisui tugged on my arm and we began to make our way towards the marketplace where I had met him the day before.

'They do all the interesting stuff later, but during the day they mainly just have the stalls set up. Things like fairground amusements and souvenir tradesmen.'

I felt my eyes light up at the mention of souvenir stalls. I always liked to collect little keepsakes from each village I moved from, it was sort of a hobby I had developed.

As we arrived, a wave of guilt washed over me as something hit me. 'Umm, as much as I appreciate the company I don't want to keep you from anything. I mean, you probably want to be here with your friends and family, right?'

A strange expression crossed his face for a brief second before his eyes softened and he regained his usual playful smirk. 'I'm sure we'll bump into them here at some point. Pretty much the whole village is here!'

I nodded as something on one of the stalls caught my eye. I brushed my fingers over the small wooden box, the village symbol carved finely onto the lid. I smiled and my eyes met with the vendor, who had noticed my interest.

'That's 2000 yen, if you're interested, miss,' He grinned at me and I went to pull out my purse, but a hand on my arm stunted my action.

'I'll get that.'

I gaped at the Uchiha accompanying me momentarily before shaking my head. 'You don't have to do that–'

'Call it a welcome present, my treat!' He paid before I could stop him and handed me the small container. Tucking it carefully into my bag, I looked up and beamed at him.

'Thanks, Shisui! No one's ever bought me anything before!' He seemed surprised by this statement but simply rubbed the back of his neck and told me not to mention it.

We rounded a corner and something hard collided with my stomach and making an 'oof' sound. I looked down startled and my gaze was met by two small black eyes staring back.

'Hey, watch where you're going!' The kid frowned at me, his lips moving into a childish pout. I resisted the urge to laugh at his attempt of looking angry when all I could think of was how cute he looked. He was probably about 7 or 8, with short black hair that stuck out slightly at the back.

'Erm, I think you'll find it was you who ran into her, Sasuke…' Shisui retorted scuffling the boy's hair and smirking at his irritated expression. He must be another Uchiha… This village is overrun with them! I mused silently.

Chuckling at the sight, I leaned forward slightly to regain Sasuke's attention. 'No you're right, I do apologise, Sasuke. I'll be sure to keep an eye out next time,' I winked.

He stared at me for a moment before crossing his arms and puffing up his chest. 'That's alright, I'll let it slide this time!'

'Tsk…' I grinned as the older Uchiha rolled his eyes and mumbled something incoherent about how kids always get away with things.

'Sasuke, who are you pestering now…' Another voice sounded from behind us. A hauntingly familiar voice.

I just barely managed to convince myself to turn around as Shisui greeted the voice's owner.

'Itachi! I knew you'd be here. You oughta keep a better eyes on that brother of yours…' He trailed off as he picked up on the intense glare between Itachi and myself. His red gaze flickered from mine to his, until finally something clicked. 'Do you two… Know each other?'

'You could say that.' I snapped, harsher than I had intended. It wasn't Shisui's fault this guy was such an arrogant pain in my neck.

'We've been… Acquainted.' Itachi kept a stoic expression but I couldn't help but let a small glower taint my features. 'Akira Haiyuka, was it?'

I scowled in response, briefly forgetting where I was. Sasuke broke the tension by bounding between us, his small fingers curling around his brother's wrists, tugging them, excitedly.

''tachi, you said you'd help me with Shuriken toss! Come on, we have to join the queue!' He bounded off in another direction and my blue eyes softened as I watched him pause when he realised he wasn't being followed. ''tachi!'

Shisui, who was still been trying to figure out the obvious irritation, slapped us both hard on the backs and shoved us forward after the young Uchiha. 'Come on, you guys. Baby-sitting duty calls!'

My eyes stayed fixed on the little head leading the way and I kept silent until we arrived at the game stall. I vaguely listened to Shisui giving an unnecessarily complicated explanation of the rules to Sasuke and watched with amusement as he tried to tell his cousin – I had learned – that he already knew how to play.

I risked a glance at Itachi, who had also been silent for most of the journey, only giving the occasional grunt in response to convince Shisui he was still listening. He was watching me, and I snapped my eyes forward again feeling my cheeks begin to heat up.

'Akira! Your turn!' Sasuke's little voice pulled me out of my thoughts. I hadn't even considered having a go… I wasn't terrible at hitting a target, but I prayed all the same that I wouldn't mess up so terribly in front of the oh-so-wonderful Uchiha members.

I picked up the first of my weapons, and, cocking my head to the side in an attempt of assessing the distance, tossed it towards the target. It hit, not the centre but within range all the same. The second followed in a similar manner, but I was relieved to see the third land almost perfectly.

'Not bad, but step aside and let the master show you all how it's done!' Shisui's three shuriken all hit the target's centre, each knocking the previous out of position and taking it's place. I had to admit I was impressed.

'Brother! Your go!' The youngster bounced on the spot and looked up at me excitedly. ''tachi's the best at this! He never misses!'

I raised an eyebrow and tried to refrain from coating my tone with a heavy layer of sarcasm, cautious not to offend the wrong person. 'I'm sure he is…'

Of course his round was even better than his cousins. When he finished he turned and looked me in the eye, a cocky glint in his black irises. I scowled again, and was about to give him a piece of my mind when Shisui broke my train of thought.

'Okay, what'd I miss here?' He tapped his foot impatiently, red eyes swirling subconsciously. Mr fantastic spoke first.

'I don't know Shisui. I guess some people just can't deal with perfection…'

I scoffed. 'I hardly call hitting a target a few times perfection.'

'Better than your attempt. Even your third one didn't really hit it.'

'Oh I'm terribly sorry, I missed the lessons on how to trample all over someone's dignity!'

'I would never dream of such a thing, would I, Sasuke?'

'Don't bring your brother into it, jackass!'

'Aw does the little outsider have a soft spot for kids?'

'Screw you!' I snarled, spinning around and stomping off into the crowd, leaving a very stunned Shisui and a slightly frightened looking Sasuke.

xXx

I had been sitting on the step outside my apartment block for the remainder of the afternoon, silently seething and plotting my comebacks should I happen to come across that jerk again. I must have been so deep in thought that I was completely oblivious to the new presence that was now seated by my side until he spoke.

'So what was all that about?' Shisui.

I jumped at the sudden intrusion, but relaxed again as recognition dawned on me. I had forgotten about him and Sasuke in my anger and I felt a pang of guilt shoot through me. 'I'm sorry I marched off like that… I hope I didn't scare Sasuke too much…'

To my surprise, he smirked. 'Actually he found the whole situation rather funny. If it makes you feel better, I think he's still giving Itachi grief for it.'

'Really? How come?'

'Sasuke may only be young but he can be very gentlemanly. He's been hounding his brother since you left about how rude it is to upset women like that.'

I smiled as I remembered the youngster's cheeky attitude.

'…So do I get an explanation?'

'Oh… Yeah, sorry. A couple of days ago I was training on the outskirts of the village when Itachi interrupted my session.' I hesitated, unsure of how to explain the next part, but Shisui answered for me.

'Let me guess, you sparred, he won and rubbed it in your face?' His eyes were amused but he tried to keep a straight face as he spoke. I appreciated the gesture.

'Hey, I wasn't that easy to beat! Well… I was that time… But if I was more prepared I could wipe that cocky grin right off his face!'

'I'd like to see you do that sometime. You let me know when you are more prepared.' He flashed a grin and I couldn't help but laugh at how pathetic it all sounded. 'So…'

I watched his expression change slowly to curiosity and I knew that Itachi had also given him his side of the story.

'Your Kekkei Genkai? Sounds pretty unique to be immune to the Sharingan…'

I grimaced at the mention but Shisui laughed it off. 'Don't worry, I won't even ask! Come on, you're gonna miss the fireworks if you sit around here all night!'

A/N: Aw I like Shisui. It's a shame he died in the anime. Actually the whole Uchiha story is a shame. Poor Itachi :(

Anyway, back to the point, I hope you liked this chapter, I'm working on chapter 6 at the moment but don't want to send all the chapters out too fast and then have a big gap between the later ones...

Anyway, thank you for reading! Please let me know how I'm doing :) x