Over the next few months Itachi continued to learn under Shisui-san. He flourished under his careful teachings and it was the beginning of a solid friendship. I couldn't be happier for him. Now that Shisui-san was always around, I got to know him as well. He wasn't such a mean guy after all.

When Itachi was spending time at the Military Police Force, I spent time with Naruto. Especially once it was apparent that I was to be his guardian too. And since he was an orphan, he needed more help than Itachi. And Naruto wasn't kidding about everyone hating him; you could cut the animosity with a knife whenever we walked through town. I admired how much he tried to act like it didn't bother him.

I eventually succeeded in finding work; a part-time job in Yamanaka's Flower Shop. With my new funds, I was able to get us off the streets, just in time for fall. It wasn't much of a place, located in a rough part of town, but it was certainly better than being out in the open. Now I was saving up for some winter clothes. My salary was not that big and I couldn't afford to take on more hours. Maybe Kakashi-san was right, taking on an extra job was almost too much to handle. But if Naruto and I were going to survive the winter, we had to find a way to make ends meet.

I still went to the Uchiha settlement every night and Itachi would be waiting by the gate. We always had a lot of fun; getting a bite to eat at some café or another, talking and joking around. It made me so glad to see him open up and be a kid, just like he should be. I think he still understood that much was expected of him by the rest of the clan, but it bothered him less than it used to.

Winter came sooner than I had expected. By the first snowfall, Naruto had what he needed, but I was still lacking the essentials. By nightfall, the snow was three inches deep. Discouraged, I turned to go home after work. It was too cold to spend the evening in mittens and a scarf. I hoped that Itachi wouldn't wait long before he would realize that I wasn't coming. I hunched over, hugging my arms close to my chest, pushing through the brisk breeze. The street lights came on earlier than usual, lighting the path before me.

I felt a hand on my shoulder, stopping me in my tracks. "Hey Miko, hold up."

I turned to see Itachi. "What are you doing here?"

Then he looked down at my clothes. "Where is your coat? Aren't you freezing?"

"Of course I am!" I snapped. "I don't have one, so if you'll excuse me I need to get home before I become an icicle."

He frowned worriedly as he noticed that my clothes were a little threadbare. "Is this all you have?"

I looked away in shame. "For now, but its no big deal. I'll get a coat in two weeks when I get paid. So don't worry about me ok?"

He quickly took off his coat and put it around my shoulders, and put his hat on my head. "Of course I'm going to worry. That's what friends do, after all." He took me by the hand and led me towards the settlement. "Why don't you come home with me? I've got some old winter clothes you can have. My mom will be making her famous vegetable soup because Sasuke has a cold. It's just the thing to warm you up."

"But you can't do this!" I protested. "You've done too much for me already."

"Apparently not enough," he grumbled as he glanced at me over his shoulder. "Why didn't you tell me that you were living in the Rakugosha District?"

"How did you find out?" I asked, turning red in embarrassment. It was starting to snow heavily again.

"Just now when I asking around for you." He said as he moved quickly. Already his hand was red from the cold. "Anything else you're not telling me?"

"Only a few more things," I admitted.

"Well, I hope that one day you'll trust me enough to tell me," he said softly.

I bristled at this. "It's not a matter of trust! It just wasn't any of your business! I can take care of myself. I don't need your protection."

He stopped and looked me in the eye. "It's not protection that I'm offering. You've been a good friend to me and I want to return the favor." He reached out and gently brushed snow from my cheek. "I can't do that if you don't tell me when you need help."

My shoulders sagged and I sighed. "Alright, I'll just borrow a few things. But I'll return them when I get the money to buy some for myself."

"Don't waste your money," he said as he led the way again. "These hand-me-downs are nearly new. Is there anything else you'll need?"

I thought about it. "Does Sasuke have any hand-me-downs too? I'm kinda taking care of a little kid too."

He nodded. "I'm sure he has something or other he doesn't need anymore. C'mon, we're nearly there."

Once we arrived, his mother rushed outside to meet us. "Itachi! Where have you been? Don't you realize just how late-" She stopped as she saw how soaked he was and that I was wearing his winter clothes.

"I didn't mean to worry you, mother," he said bowing his head respectfully. "My friend here doesn't have winter clothes of her own and I thought she could use some of my old stuff."

Her gaze softened. "Well hurry instead before you both catch colds." She showed me where I could hang up his coat and hat and led me into the kitchen. Itachi went to take a hot bath to warm up. I could smell the soup on the stove and the aroma was mouth-watering. She set a bowl before me and sat down across from me. "At last we meet, Miko-san. You must be the friend that Itachi talks so much about."

"One of many, I'm sure," I said modestly.

"He is popular, to be sure." She agreed. "But he doesn't talk about any other girl. You must be very special to him indeed."

My cheeks flushed, though I had no idea why I should feel embarrassed about that. "This is very delicious," I said, trying to draw attention away from myself. "And thank you for welcoming me in your home. I will not take too much of your time."

"Its no trouble at all," she assured me with a gentle smile. "It's great to meet any friend of Itachi's."

"Miko's here?" A little boy's voice echoed from the hallway. "This I've got to see!"

A little boy, just Naruto's age, bounded into the kitchen. He stood right next to me and peered into my face. "Why do you have big ears and a tail? Itachi didn't say anything about you having those. Are you sure you're Miko?"

"Sasuke!" His mother scolded. "Apologize to Miko-san!"

I laughed and waved away her concern. "No worries, I get asked this a lot and I always answer the same way." I cupped a hand against my mouth, leaned towards Sasuke, and spoke in a loud whisper. "I was born to stand out so that's what I do."

I wiggled my ears mischievously and his eyes widened in wonder. "Wow, that's so cool!" He snuggled closer. "Can you teach me to do that?"

"Sure thing," I teased. "Once you get ears like mine I'll teach you."

He turned toward his mother. "Can I get some mom?"

We both laughed out loud and poor Sasuke pouted. "What's so funny?"

Just as I finished my soup, Itachi came into the room. "Whenever you're ready Miko, I have the things ready in my room."

I thanked his mother once again for the meal and followed him down the hall. Sasuke followed after us. "Do you like Itachi?"

"Of course I do." I said.

"Has he given you a kiss yet?" He persisted.

"No, when will I get one?" I asked Itachi curiously. He blinked in surprise, growing red.

"What?" I asked naively. "Is it too big for me to carry home on my own?"

Both brothers looked dumbfounded and I fidgeted uncomfortably. It was obvious that they knew something about kisses that I didn't. Now I had made a complete fool out of myself. "Don't bother," I grumbled. "I didn't want it anyway."

"If you don't want his, can I give you one?" Sasuke asked as he puckered his lips. Itachi grabbed him by the collar and shoved him out of the room. "Sorry about that," he stammered, his eyes on the ground. "He can be a bit of a brat sometimes." He pointed at his bed. "I gathered up my old things as well as Sasuke's. There are some old toys of his too that you're welcome to take back as well. I didn't know how old the kid is that you're taking care of."

I was still pretty embarrassed, but I needed to know so I could avoid a repeat incident. "Itachi, what is a kiss?"

"You mean you really don't know?" He asked in surprise. "I thought you were trying to be funny on purpose."

I shook my head. "I've never heard of it before."

"Not even seen one?" He asked as he sat on the corner of his bed.

"I've lived a very…sheltered life," I admitted.

Itachi folded his arms across his chest and chose his words carefully. "A kiss is something you give someone you love."

I cocked my head to the side. "What's love?"

He looked shocked. "You don't know what love is either?"

I shook my head. "Why, should I?"

"Everyone else does. But I don't know if I'm the best person to ask since I've never fallen in love," he admitted.

"So it's like a hole in the ground then? Why would someone want to fall into it then? Wouldn't that hurt?"

Itachi burst out laughing and I glared at him. "I'm sorry! I'm sorry!" He said as he wiped tears from his eyes. "I wasn't trying to make fun of you. I get the feeling that it would take some time to explain it and it's getting pretty late. So why don't we talk about it another time?"

Don't bother, I thought grudgingly, feeling a little hurt that he laughed at me. He was right though, it was very late. I quickly looked through the clothes and toys and put the best ones in a bag. Itachi offered to walk me home, but my pride hadn't recovered enough yet so I turned him down.

As I walked towards the main gateway, I crossed paths with Fugaku-san. We locked eyes. His eyes narrowed suspiciously at me as he passed by and muttered the word "Kitsune" under his breath before spitting on the ground in contempt. A shiver ran down my spine. He knew me for what I was, and unlike Kakashi-san, he had no respect for my position. Did he know that I was Itachi's guardian? I was going to have to be more careful from now on.