0o0o0o0o0o0 One Week Later 0o0o0o0o0o0o0o0

Today was the funeral. I looked over a few feet where Itachi's parents were buried. i guessed they already had a funeral and Orochimaru made some excuse as to why i didn't show. i lit some insense before i stood infront of my parents tombstone. Uncle Jiraiya was next to me and some of our reletives came. The only one who was absent was my Great Aunt Chiyo, and I was glad. I had called her to tell her the date of the funeral and all she had to say was, "Glad that mutt of a woman is dead, I won't come show respect for her or Darian."

I hung up on her and wished I could hit her for saying such things. Jiraiya shrugged and said, "Better without her."

I nodded and here we were. I cried silently next to Jiraiya as the funeral dude said his piece and I lit some incense. After the funeral I listened to my relatives whisper and say pity things to me like, "Oh a shame! And so young!" "They are in a better place dear."

I didn't need them to take pity on me, and I didn't need them whispering about how none of them wanted to take me in. I turned to the Uncle who had said it and said calmly, "You don't need to worry. I'm living on my own. None of you have to worry about sulying your hands with me."

they gapped like fish and I held my head high as Jiraiya put his arm around my shoulders, glared at them and we left. Uncle Jiraiya grinned at me in the car and said, "Nice ending there."

I grinned back and we headed back to the house to continue working, and grabbed some take out on the way. I didn't cry any more, I knew my parents were watching over me and I knew I would be alright.

0o0o0 A month later 0o0o0o

I still couldn't contact Itachi. I even went to the Uchiha building but was told they hadn't seen him or Sasuke. I packed up the last of my belonging's and sighed sadly, "I won't even get to tell them good bye."

I turned to Uncle Jiraiya and hugged him, "Thanks for everything."

He hugged me tightly and said, "Remember."

I grinned as he let me go, "Call at least once a month and expect you for every holiday."

He nodded with a grin and got into his taxi, "See you soon kiddo."

I blew him a kiss and watched the taxi drive away. I went inside the sold house, it empty now, and lifted the first box and took it to the taxi waiting outside. It was filled with Itachi's family albums.

The movers Orochimaru sent , tossed them and most of the stuff out. I was able to sneak these and some belonging's away before it was carted off. Then the house was sold. It was like they fell off the face of the earth.

I put the last box in the trunk of the taxi and had a sudden hunch. Telling the driver I'd be right back I made my way down to the river. Going to our secret hiding place I gasped when I saw a small box in the middle of it. Sitting I quickly opened it and found a letter.

It read, "Ariana,

Orochimaru is taking us to America to 'get better schooling.' I don't know when we'll be back but I promise we will someday. Sasuke and I are fine. I hope your doing well. Leave a return message in this box for me to find. Your best friend, Itachi Uchiha."

I smiled at it, and found a blank paper and a pen in the box. I quickly wrote, "I'm glad your fine, I'm doing ok too. I'm going to school in the next city but I swear as well, that I'll be back in this city and waiting for you. Take care of yourself and what ever you do, don't trust Orochimaru. But I'm sure you know that. Give Sasuke a hug for me. From your best friend, Ariana."

Putting it in the box I folded the letter in my pocket and hurried back to the taxi, feeling myself ready for anything, knowing I'd see them again.

Itachi read the letter and quickly folded it and put it in his wallet. Going out of the hiding place. He ran down the river and made his way through the back streets to the Uchiha Enterprise. Orochimaru elected some moron to be president while they were gone.

Sasuke waited at the door, and looked over as Itachi walked up. He whispered eagerly, "Well?"

Itachi stood next to him, looking regal and proper. But he handed Sasuke the letter and he read it over quickly before handing it back. he hid a smile, "I can't wait until we see her again."

Itachi nodded, "Me too little brother."

Orochimaru walked out of the building and the Uchiha brothers turned to statues. Orochimaru smiled and said, "Come, our plane is ready."

They followed him into the limo and as they sat next to each other they caught each others eye and it was clear in their eyes, "Let the game begin."

I got to my new apartment and paid the taxi driver. I was glad my apartment was on the first floor and I went and talked with the landlord, signed papers, opened the door and started dragging the boxes inside. There were only ten, but it seemed like more from moving them so much.

As I grabbed the last box I sighed in relief. About to close the door I blinked as a truck and trailer pulled up in front of me, something covered on the trailer. I watched curiously and the driver came up to me and asked, "Are you Ariana McKing?"

I nodded slowly and he held out a clip board with papers on it, "Sign here. And heres a note."

I took the note first and it read, "Ariana, since you didn't want a car and was convinced motorcycles are more awesome and cool then a hunk of steel on four wheels, heres a present for you. Drive carefully. Love, Uncle Jiraiya."

I gapped and quickly signed the paper and watched eagerly as the guy flipped back the canvas and showed a black 2008 Suzuki VStrom 1000. My jaw hit the dirt and the driver chuckled, "yeah, it's pretty awesome isn't it?"

I nodded dumbly and he parked it in front of me and reached into his truck and handed me a black helmet and a pair of saddle bags. I thanked him and he nodded and left. I grinned eagerly, locked my apartment back up and put the saddle bags on my new bike and strapped on the helmet. I stiffled a squeal of excitement, now realizing why Uncle Jiraiya had me get my drivers license and motorcycle license.

Running my hands over it, I kicked the starter and did squeal as it came to life. Kicking up the kick stand I took off. Making sure to drive the speed limit I felt like I was flying as I came into the country side and hit it. Skidding around corners, I got my excitement out of my system and headed back home.

Sighing happily I stopped and shut it off in front of my apartment, glad I had a small garage. Again, Uncle Jiraiya's idea. I pushed it in and locked the door before going into my apartment and decideing to make some dinner and get some sleep before I started school tomorrow.