"Why don't you come meet them?" Itachi asked, his back against the trunk of a tree as she laid her head across one of his legs, the other was bent at the knee as he rested his right elbow on it.

"It seems like it never rains here-what?" she blinked for a second, comprehending his sentence. "Meet them?" She was thrown off by the question, turning her head to the left to look up at him, one eye opened. His fingers were currently running through her thick brown hair, letting it fall between his fingers as he thought silently. "I don't think your dad will like me. I'm not an Uchiha," she said, almost mockingly.

"My clan doesn't define me, Miyuki. I don't care if you're an Uchiha. I want you to meet them." He looked down at her, reaching her gaze as he smiled. She shook her head silently, covering her face as she sighed heavily. "I've met Sasuke already... but fine," she peeked at him between two fingers, watching him smirk. "Don't you dare leave me alone with your father."

"What if I have to go to the bathroom?" He mused, one eye closing to form a wink.

"You hold it forever, then." She could feel the rumble in his chest as he laughed, his fingers running through her hair once more. His smirk faded, however, thinking about the possible scenarios. Could this go wrong? Was it a mistake? Father would always speak about Izumi to Itachi. The higher Uchiha clan didn't recognize her, but she was still an Uchiha. He knew his preference for her over a non-clan member. Miyuki would always act like Izumi's crush didn't bother her, but he could always tell that it did to some degree. As much as he had tried to push her away, she was stuck on him. It was more annoying than anything.

"We should spar again. I'm ninety percent sure that the last match was a fluke."

Itachi stared down to her, watching a smirk pass her lips. "Miyuki. I feel as if being beat 7 out of 9 times stops becoming a fluke at some point."

"Nah."

He shook his head, lifting her head from his lap.

Miyuki stared at the gates to the Uchiha house, nervously placing her hands behind her back. Her entire body wanted her to walk away from this idea. This stupid, stupid idea. Itachi had decided he wanted her to meet his parents. It was absurd to do. Even Shisui told him it wasn't the best decision. She wasn't an Uchiha; point blank. The whole point to them keeping their relationship a secret was not to piss off his dad. Itachi was such a stubborn person. She sighed heavily, her hands shoving into her pockets. She watched as his head poked into view from his window, her heartbeat quickening as a grin played on his lips when he met her gaze. She moved her hands behind her back, watching his face disappear from view as Sasuke's poked up for a minute, then went as well.

He had walked downstairs quickly, Sasuke trailing behind him as he stopped at the door, putting on his sandals, then looking to his mother.

"I'm having a friend over tonight, mother. Can you set the table for one more?" Itachi asked, watching Sasuke get his sandals on. Mikado looked over at him, surprised for a moment, but then smiled softly.

"Of course. Who is this mystery guest?"

"Miyuki, from special ops."

"Oh, I see." He could see the inquisition in her face, what she wanted to ask him. He shied away from the question, excusing himself from the conversation as a light tapping sounded. He rubbed the top of Sasuke's head as he walked towards it, sliding the door open as he felt his lips tug at a smile. He stepped out, sliding the door shut behind him."Are you wearing a dress?" He asked, bemused by her change of wardrobe. She had gone out and got a dress. It was a dark purple, flowing and pleated at the bottom. Almost like a summer dress, about knee length. He watched her cheeks tint red, her hands in the pockets of it.

"It's got pockets?" She said, more observational as she waved the skirt around. "I didn't want to show up in uniform. It seemed like it may be rude or something." She practically whispered the last part, embarrassment coming over her. She sighed when his fingers touched her cheek, looking up to see him smiling at her. "You look beautiful, Miyuki. Don't be nervous." Those onyx eyes stared into hers, and she could feel her heart beating a little faster.

"Nervous doesn't begin to cover how I am feeling." The door slid open, Sasuke stepping out and standing next to Itachi. He and Miyuki stared each other, and he ran to wrap his arms around one of her legs, hugging her.

"Miyuki! Where have you been?" Sasuke asked, closing one eye as she ruffled his hair with one hand. He smiled up at her, grabbing her hand with his and pulling her.

"I had a mission, Sasuke. Sorry!" She laughed lightly, her left hand rubbing the back of her neck as Sasuke led her inside the house. She had gotten back from a two-week 'mission,' which was one week of mission and another of conditioning with Jiraiya. She had almost lost herself during their last mission. If it hadn't been for Itachi's presence to reel her back, she would have completely lost control. She still didn't know why he could keep her reserved. Just his presence made her feel more in control. Jiraiya was a big help, too, even though he rarely came near Konoha.

She let Sasuke pull her into the house when Itachi slid open the door. "I always hate it when you both go on missions. Brother always says he'll practice with me, then leaves again." Sasuke's voice became pouty, stopping to let her take off her shoes. She slid them off, donning slippers instead of her usual sandals, then walked with the two brothers towards the kitchen. The air was thick with the smell of rice, salmon, and seasonings. She stopped when they reached the kitchen, Mikado standing over the stove. Itachi shifted to the left, giving Miyuki his mother's field of vision. She smiled at Miyuki, stirring the boiling pot.

"Hello! You must be Miyuki!"

Miyuki was caught off guard for a minute but bowed as she nodded. "It's nice to meet you!"

"Oh, thank you," Mikado responded, her lips pursed for a moment as she bowed.

"COME PLAY Miyuki!"

She blinked as Sasuke yelled at her, his finger pointing at her. It had caught the attention of everyone. She laughed, nervous, as she rubbed the back of her neck, looking at Mikado. "Sorry."

"It's okay! He likes seeing you." They both laughed nervously, Sasuke's cheeks tinting for a moment. Itachi's hand ruffled Sasuke's hair, looking down to him as he pried it away, huffing.

"So you're in ANBU as well?" Fugaku asked, chopsticks in hand as he studied Miyuki. She blinked at the question, then nodded, her hands coming to rub the back of her neck.

"Yes. A few years, now, I believe." She had looked over to Itachi as she spoke, him giving the nod as confirmation.

He set down his chopsticks, picking up his drink and taking a sip. "I see. You must have exceptional strength and ability, then."

Miyuki had been seated next to Itachi and looked over at him for a moment before responding. She had moved her hands to her lap, feeling his dad's gaze falling on her once more. "I would hope so." Yes. Be coy. Very nice. She thought about her answers before speaking them. She didn't want anything to come out wrong.

Fugako looked from Itachi to Miyuki, "Itachi was beyond exceptional. He is the youngest ANBU member. He's the Uchiha pride." She could tell the slight brag in his tone as he spoke of Itachi. She understood the need. Why wouldn't you brag about a top shinobi as a son? Itachi seemed to feel differently, though, his fists clenched quietly under the table as he listened to his father. Miyuki sighed in the back of her mind. "Well, Itachi has always been extraordinary to me." Miyuki looked over to Itachi as he looked up, watching a smile creep to the corner of his lip, his fist loosening shortly after.

"That is so sweet of you to say, dear." Mikado smiled warmly, excusing herself from the table with some of her dishes.

"It'll be especially great when he settles down and marries. Keep the Uchiha bloodline strong." Fugaku looked over to Itachi this time, his gaze narrowing somewhat. "You should try to talk and be more approachable, Itachi. It's a wonder Izumi has interest in you."

Miyuki could feel the sting in her chest at the mention of that girl's name. She was always this problem for Miyuki.

"I'm not interested in her, father, We have talked about this previously." Itachi's voice echoed some annoyance, Miyuki's position shifting slightly at the awkwardness of it all.

"She's an Uchiha. While she isn't recognized as our equal, she is still one."

She listened as Itachi took a deep breath, his annoyance growing more thin with each second. She watched his fist clenched once more as he went to speak.

"I am so sorry!" Miyuki yelled, "I completely forgot I had to meet with someone! Please excuse me!" She gave her warmest smile, her hands pressing against the table as she stood up, bowling lowly. "Please forgive me!" Itachi could see the change in her eyes as if she had become defeated at that moment. She was hurt. Itachi could feel the anger rising in him slightly, his hand pressing against the table as the door to their home shut. He stood up, his gaze falling to Fukagu.

"I have no interest in Izumi." He excused himself from the table as Mikado walked back into the room, confusion on her face as he walked to the door.

"Itachi?" She asked questioningly, the slam of the door the only answer as she stared at her husband.

Itachi grunted when he heard his father call his name, the night creeping into the sky slowly. He stopped momentarily, turning to face his father.

"Do you understand what she is, Itachi?" Itachi's eyes had grown large at the question. How could his father possibly know that information?

"She won't hurt anyone."

"I was there the day we brought her to Konoha, Itachi. She had massacred an entire village before she came here. Are you willing to accept that? She is a monster." Fugaku's voice had hardened, his eyes narrowed at Itachi, studying him.

"Yes. I am."

What had she expected would happen? Miyuki stared at the lake outside of her window, perched on the windowsill as she sighed heavily. She watched her nails extend out slightly, her feelings meshing with her inner demon as she thought about Itachi and Izumi together. It was logical to keep the bloodline going with another Uchiha. The Uchiha name was old. Their pride was on the line whenever someone strayed from the clan. She would do more harm than good when it came to kids. She couldn't imagine the Uchiha Kekkei-Genkai winning against her bloodline. She wasn't even sure if a demon could get a Kekkei-Genkai. She felt the tears well up in her eyes once more and wiped them away with the back of her hand, pulling herself back into her room as she sighed heavily. That had been one of the top five- no, three- worst dinners she has had. She looked over to the direction of her bathroom as she sat on her bed, watching her hair slowly grow an inch more in the mirror. "He's right, though. I barely fit into this village. I'm just some orphan half-breed." She didn't deserve someone like Itachi. His heart was pure. He was the most selfless person she had ever met. Deep inside, she was just a monster.

She sat still for a moment when she heard her name from the window. She looked over to see Itachi perched inside of it. He was such a quiet person-great at recon missions because of it. His arms anchored against the sides of the window, pulling himself into the room as he shut it behind him. He moved to sit next to her, turning her body with his so they both sat cross-legged at the foot of the bed.

"That was a quick exit." He said, his gaze focusing on her as she looked up to him. She could feel her shoulders shrug absently, her body sunken. "I didn't want you to say anything you would regret. It seemed like a better idea for me to leave."

His hands rested on her knees, pulling her closer to him as he sighed. "I'm sorry for my father's behavior."

"Don't be. The reasoning isn't completely unfounded."

Itachi let a small grin play on his face, nodding quietly. "It does seem that way. I wasn't aware he knew so much about you." His mind was racking with his talk with his father. Fugaku had told him the history of the Uchiha and her kind.

"Uchihas have always had strange ways about them. I remember the stories Mesame used to tell about the Uchiha clan. She always blamed your clan for the downfall of our kind." Miyuki waved her hand when Itachi's face became more concentrated; like he felt guilty for his clan. "I don't blame anyone, though. War makes people do terrible things. There are dark days to come before then, though." She had dreamed of the fates that lie ahead of Itachi. He would have to do something that even she wouldn't have the strength to do. She watched as his face became blank, glossing over with turmoil.

"What are you thinking about?" She asked quietly. She could tell when he was deep in thought. His brow would furrow, and his finger would manage to come underneath his chin. His eyes would narrow ever so slightly as his expression becomes somewhat vacant. He had that face on the first time she had met him. It was very familiar too. Itachi was always in thought.

She watched Itachi's expression turn, contorted into something else. Contemplative; unsure. He had that on his mind for a few days now. After Shisui's death, probably. She lifted her hand, holding his cheek in hers. His eyes gazed into hers, and she attempted to assure him of his decision with a smile. "If it didn't need to be, you wouldn't do it, Itachi." She could hear a surprised breath escape his lips. "I know you can't tell me some things, but that doesn't stop me from seeing them. If you need to do something like that- I wouldn't want you to- but I would understand if you did." She turned her head to the side, giving him a faint smile. "I know what is important to you." She could feel the heartbreak for a minute, thinking about the inevitable day he would leave her. She had seen it coming well over a year ago. She couldn't stop him. No one could. No, she wouldn't stop him.

"When?" She asked, her voice breaking ever so slightly at the idea.

"Soon," was his only answer, his eyes coming to meet hers once more.

"Do you have a plan for after?" She asked, her legs stretching out as she laid back on her bed. He gave a faint nod, looking down at her as she placed the back of her arm against her forehead to cover her eyes.

"There is a group called the Akatsuki. Their leader is going to take me as a member."

"Isn't Orochimaru a part of that group?" She could feel her skin peel at his name. That creep.

"Yes. Unfortunately." He watched her stick her tongue out at the idea of being around him. "He'll be easier for me to watch."

"You worry about yourself when it comes to the Akatsuki. I'll be okay on my own."

She could feel his next question. It was sitting at the tip of his tongue, waiting for him to ask it. She could feel his demeanor shift in that small moment, his breath holding at the back of his throat. She stared at her hand as it covered her face, nodding silently. "I'll keep an eye on him. I can't make promises, but I'll do what I can. There's going to be a lot of hatred in that boy for you. Are you sure you're okay with that?"

She could feel him resting on the bed as he laid beside her. "Whatever happens Miyuki, I am glad that you were here beforehand. It almost makes it easier, knowing I wasn't completely alone this whole time." She could feel his lips pressed against her forehead, and grinned.

"Yeah, sorry we can't ride into adulthood together."

She could feel his body move, his fingers lacing around her hand and pulling it away from her eyes. Miyuki could feel the heat in her cheeks as he leaned his head down, lips pressing against hers. A smirk played on his face as he pulled away, looking down to her. "Just wait for me, then." The only thing she could manage was a nod at that moment, those onyx orbs pulling her more in love with him.