A/N: Hope you all are liking the story so far. Please don't forget to R&R. To explain Verlet's last name here it is. Wakahisa:

"forever young," from the Japanese waka "young" and hisa "longevity, ancient".

If there are any confusions of the sort let me know and I'll try my best to explain. Well here's the next chapter, ENJOY!!!! ^^

Chapter Four: Shopping and Settling in

As soon as Verlet had spoken her mind, reassured Itachi that what had happened was not his fault she walked over to the hospital exit/entrance and met Sakura. She was a kind yet powerful kunoichi, like her mother, and so knew that one day she would want to be like her. Then, before she could think over her request Verlet found her self speaking.

"Umm, Sakura-sensei?" she called. Sakura looked down then, turning her attention to the young girl before her.

"Hai?"

"I was wondering, would you be willing to teach me medical jutsu's? I want to be a medic as well as a kunoichi." Verlet spoke with determination in not only her eyes but her tone of voice as well. In truth she reminded Sakura of how she was when she first went and asked Tsunade for an apprenticeship. Smiling Sakura responded.

"I'll talk to Tsunade-shishou." she said. Verlet smiled and nodded. Not only was she smart, strong and brave but she was patient as well. Sakura knew in that moment that she would be a powerful kunoichi. Verlet turned just as Itachi was approaching and stood waiting for him to speak. Sakura smiled, she hoped to spend a lot of time with her, to be able to help her deal with all of the emotions she chose to lock in side the way she had helped Itachi.

"Sakura." Itachi greeted. Sakura laughed, tears brimming her eyes.

"It went that bad huh?" she said. Verlet looked at her amazed then, surprised that she could read him so well. Itachi simply stayed silent, allowing her to laugh it all out before he spoke. Once she was done he looked at her with warmer eyes.

"Would you care to join us this afternoon. I will be taking Verlet to shop for new items." he said, not sure how to phrase it. Sakura grinned wickedly then, causing Verlet to smile. The man before her seemed solely business like, stoic, cold but as soon as he faced this pink haired kunoichi he was calmer, happier.

"Hmm, I don't know. It's sort of last minute." Sakura taunted, caused Itachi to smile. Verlet felt calmer then. The idea of going out shopping in a new village, being stared at by strangers and feeling all sorts of unfamiliar chakra signals around had been off setting at first but now she could manage. Finally, after a couple of taunting seconds Sakura nodded and off they went.

Their first stop was the clothing store. Itachi had kept a small distance from the two girls, especially so the instant they had stepped into a clothing store. Sakura had instantly taken to Verlet, both of them talking and laughing every now and then. Verlet knew what she liked, what she would be not only willing to wear but could wear and not have any trouble fighting. Verlet tried on may different styles, some of which Sakura had looked over and handed her to try on.

"This should be comfortable. It's not exactly the same as to what I wear my self but it is close." Sakura said, handing her an outfit that nearly matched her own. Verlet looked over it then and couldn't imagine her self in it. It wasn't that she disliked Sakura's taste or look, it was just that it wasn't her. While Sakura kept looking Verlet wondered around the store, all the while keeping note of where Itachi was at all times. Shopping was difficult, especially without a mother to set some boundaries.

When they were done shopping for cloths she had walked out of the store with three pairs of black skin tight shorts, four silver and black shirts, and three pair of crimson skirts. Sakura had encouraged the young girl to pick more, that there was no need to worry but she had refused. When it had come time to pay she had noticed Verlet got serious all of a sudden, down and sad. From cloths they had moved one's basic living necessity items. Her tooth brush, combs for her hair, and most importantly of all weapons. At first Verlet had insisted that she didn't need anything other than the katana she had brought with her from home but in the end Itachi had purchased two kunai kits, one senbon kit and a shuriken kit. Sakura had sided with Verlet, she didn't think she'd need so many weapons so soon but knowing Itachi and Verlet they'd both start on target practice as soon as possible. Once done with the shopping spree the three set off to a ramen stand and had dinner. Itachi hadn't been in the mood for it but it seemed that was the only thing Verlet cared to eat for the moment. When they got to the stand Verlet instantly moved as close as she could to Itachi's side, half hiding her self behind his tall form. Sakura smiled gently at her before taking a seat and greeting the two who were currently eating.

"Hey there Naruto, Sasuke, what you guys up to?" she asked as warmly as ever. It was then that Verlet noticed, realized that it didn't matter who she greeted. Sakura always greeted people with the same warm and welcoming smile that she did. Her heart was out in the open for all to see, and luckily enough she had Itachi to keep it from harm. The blonde man with blue eyes smiled as he slurped on some ramen before answering.

"Teme didn't feel like cooking so we decided to have ramen. Isn't that right teme?" he spoke, all the while teasing Itachi's brother.

"The truth is we haven't gotten any shopping done and I didn't feel like going back to my parents for dinner." Sasuke replied duly. "Ni-san, Verlet." Sasuke soon greeted with a nod of the head. However before Verlet or Itachi could say anything Naruto jumped form his seat and stood next to Verlet. Who was now standing completely behind Itachi.

"Hey, who's the kid?" he asked. Verlet instantly felt annoyed, not being addressed formally all the time would take some getting used to. She looked to Sakura, who was smiling, nodding her head and encouraging Verlet to speak for her self. Then, when she looked up to meet Itachi's own eyes found the same message. Verlet, upon realizing that no one else would, took in a deep breath before speaking.

"Verlet, Verlet Uchiha." she said. Naruto's eyes went wide in a matter of moments. He had never seen an Uchiha with orange hair and pale skin let alone a girl beside Itachi Uchiha. He looked at Sakura and then to the child but couldn't find any resemblance. Sighing upon confirming Sakura hadn't had a child and kept it a secret he smiled.

"Hi Verlet, my name is Naruto. How old are you?" he said, his tone of voice sounding as if though he were talking to a baby. Again Verlet couldn't help but feel annoyed, she wanted to so much send him flying across the street but knew better than to do so.

"Hai, it's nice to meet you. I am eight." she spoke answering his question before moving and calmly taking a seat in between Sakura and Itachi. Naruto grinned, walked back to his seat and went on with his meal.

"Who'd ever thought I'd see the day where Itachi Uchiha had to baby sit one of his clan members." Naruto taunted, before ordering another bowl of ramen. Verlet sighed. She wasn't supposed to tell the truth but she could at least correct his assumption with the lie they had all agree upon. Sasuke knew the truth, he had been told so earlier that day. It was the rest of the shinobi, the village that would need to be told the story.

"I am not blood related to the Uchiha clan. Itachi has adopted me, agreed to be my guardian. My parents were killed, my entire village was....this is my home now." Verlet spoke, softly and gently correcting Naruto. Instantly Sakura was glaring daggers at her team mate while Sasuke slapped him upside the head. Verlet smiled at his actions, it was comforting to know, to be reminded that she was being looked after. That someone still cared about her existence.

"Sorry..." was the last word Naruto said before he ate one more bowl and left for home. Sasuke, Sakura and Itachi sat in silence then. All eating dinner. When Verlet was done with her food she smiled and looked up to Itachi.

"Thank you Itachi-sensei." she said, slightly bowing her head. Itachi wanted to tell her, assure her that there was no need to thank him but wasn't sure how to say it. He had never had to speak so warmly to a child, hell he hadn't even done it when his little brother followed him around and talked to him as a child so how could he start now?

"Hn." was all he said instead. Sasuke sighed as he stood up to leave, handing Verlet a small scroll.

"It's not much but the techniques inside should be helpful." he said before turning to Sakura and Itachi. "I'll see you both later. Don't forget about the mission Sakura. We leave in three days." he said. Sakura smiled and nodded.

"Hai." and with that he was off. Once he was gone and they had all finished their dinner Itachi and Verlet walked Sakura home before heading back to the compound. At night the place felt calmer, gentler and safe. Verlet walked the streets without feeling glared at, without feeling out of place and found her self breathing a bit better. When they reached Itachi's home Verlet noticed that although it wasn't as big as his parents house it was still a good sized home. When he let them both in the lights to the living room went on. Verlet smiled, the fact that the only thing he had in his living room was training equipment didn't surprise her, nor the fact that the dinning room was covered in book shelves and books. Once the door was shut he sighed.

"Your room will be down the hall and to your left." Itachi said. Verlet nodded and then walked off. She wasn't sure what his preparations before bed consisted off but she knew it would be rude to stand by and watch. Upon walking in the room she found that it was the same size her old room had been. The floors and furniture were all made out of maple wood and there was a twin bed by the window. She smiled, at least she'd be able to star gaze every once in a while. Once dong getting the feel for the layout of the room Verlet started unpacking. Her cloths all fit neatly in her draws. They were empty and deserted, begging to not only be filled but to be given a purpose. As soon as the door closed behind Verlet set her bags down by a small closet and then curled her self up in the corner. The place was empty, cold for lack of movement and settlement. Much like it now was at her home, if it was still standing. Her clan's, father's wishes of their allies was that should anything ever happen exposing the clan, the compound be burned to the ground. Instantly tears stained the young girls face. If only she had been strong enough to follow, to watch and help set fire to the place that was her home. It was her duty as not only the clan leader but the last serving member of her clan. Soon soft sobs escaped her mouth as her knees came up to her chest and soon she was breaking down. The pain was unbearable. Too much for her to take. Then, just as she was about to go past the point of no return, before she'd truly break and lost all ability to love and to heal, to cope and move on Itachi appeared in her room. Verlet looked up at him, tears endlessly falling, eyes swollen from how much she was crying. A part of her mind scram at her to toughen up, to hide and get rid of her tears but enough was enough. She needed to cry, to let it all out and allow her self to feel the consequences of her actions, the loss she had suffered and the emptiness that accompanied it.

"Ita..." but before Verlet could finish her excuse, her acknowledgement of him Itachi picked up the young girl in his arms and walked over to the bed. He sat with her there, holding her, comforting her with his arms and silence. This wasn't a time to be alone, not one should ever have to be alone when there was a loss of family. He had learned so when Sakura's parents had passed, died on a mission. Sakura had cried for hours, she had shown smiled and calmness in front of the village and her fellow shinobi but the instant the door shut and no one was around she broke down. He had found her, broken and destroyed in her room, and for the first time in his life Itachi had comforted someone other than his brother. Hold the young girl in his arms, assuring her silently that all would turn out well, that the pain would ease over time was now the second time the Itachi Uchiha had comforted someone other than his younger brother and Sakura.

Itachi had held her for about an hour, letting her cry and desperately holding on to his shirt as if he were her last life line. In all reality it was safe to say that he was. She had no family now, had been allowed to become an Uchiha and he was the only one who would protect her, truly protect her within the compound. When she fell asleep Itachi lay her in bed and tucked her in before turning around and placing her bags in the closet. He would make sure that she had a home, he would help her as much as he could and all the while he made his choice Itachi was thankful to have Sakura by his side.

When next Verlet opened her eyes it was near dawn, she was used to waking up at such times. Her mother would have breakfast ready, her father off to a mission briefing or meeting while she got up and dressed for another day of training. Today however was not like those days. Slowly she unpacked her belongings, she hung up her closed and organized what had been bought for her. Once done Verlet silently walked down to the kitchen and started on breakfast her self. She wasn't sure what Itachi liked or if he ate but none the less she cooked for two and sighed. Unpacking, having stuff bought for her, and now cooking breakfast? Verlet knew these were all signs of how slowly but surely she was now settling in.

A/N: Okay so this was a short chapter but I hope you all enjoyed it. I welcome reviews of all sorts so feel free. Thanks for reading everyone, and take care!!!