Itachi glared at his blurred form in the mirror. It wasn't fair to say that Futaba's experiment was a complete failure, but nor could it be called a resounding success. He could see shapes, figures, and motions just as well as before. But details were lost on him.

While he could still fight nearly as well as before, his favorite hobby - paperwork - was now a distant dream. He couldn't help but cringe at the memory of finding a proper assistant to read the paperwork for him; as writing was no challenge to him.

Naruto had been both his first pick and volunteer, it worked for a while then it became apparent that Naruto's vocabulary wasn't up to snuff, and her spending the entire day trapped in a room was counter intuitive to her training.

Shisui told him no, in hindsight that one made sense, keeping two of the most powerful ninja in the village locked to paperwork was a bad idea.

There was an attempt to simply make Tsunade the Hokage. She said that she would do it if he could drink her under the table. He refused the bet based on principle.

A dozen or so attempts later and he was no closer to finding an assistant than he was achieving a lasting peace. With a sigh, Itachi ran his hand through his hair and began the process of tying it into a ponytail. It had gotten far too long during his stay at the hospital.

Somehow his family had convinced him to join them in a birthday/out of the hospital party -though really they just had Naruto tell him - where he was the guest of honor. He was not a fan of parties for or about him, he rarely attended any parties or festivals and if he did only for a few moments to make an appearance.

"Itachi!" His front door was slammed open in a familiar way and Naruto's voice echoed throughout his home. Her light footsteps pattered up to his room, where she came to a stop. "Itachi! You're dressed right?"

"Yes, come in Naruto." Itachi allowed himself to smile as the blond entered his room with a hop in a skip. She was dressed in a blue blur that had fuzzy bits of orange swirled in for good measure, her blond hair was in a different shape that before. Odd how her hair seemed stubbornly cling to some clarity despite his withered eyes. "Have you come to escort me to the party?"

Naruto's hair waved as her head blurred eagerly up and down. "I can't believe we get to have a party together!"

Ahh yes, the third reason for the party. It was Naruto's going away party. Sure he had agreed to Jiraiya's original request. But he was going to miss the blond, she had become the little sister that he never had. Or at least that's what he had been telling himself of late. Despite what everybody else said about their relationship. Naruto was nothing more than his little sister.

Itachi gave Naruto a nod. "I'm certain it will be fun."

"How do I look?" Naruto's footsteps were like those of a mouse as she spun in a small circle with her arms outstretched. Her voice held a nervous excitement, it was her first time wearing a Yukata. When she stopped Itachi could barely make out her blue eyes staring at him.

"You're a lovely blur," Itachi replied with a bit more bitterness than he intended.

"Oh right!" Naruto's giddy outburst prevented him from amending his tone. She spun around trying to grab something that was just out of her reach, much like a dog trying to chase its tail. Then at long last, she pulled out a black shape. "These are from Futaba! She said to make sure you wear them!"

The black object was nothing more than a case. Seeing the object through tactile sensation only Itachi opened it and felt the smoothness of glass inside of it. His heartbeat quickened. "Glasses?"

Naruto probably nodded as her hair moved. "Yea! She won't be at the party because she hasn't slept making them once she found out you were as blind as a bat. But I think she wanted to avoid the party anyways."

The likely truth behind Naruto's words were numbed to Itachi's ears. He had thought his sight was lost, could it really be corrected by a simple pair of glasses. With a steady hand, he put the glasses on.

The world snapped into clarity. He could see as well if not better than he could before. Itachi whirled back into the mirror and examined the sleek square framed glasses that now rested on his nose. Oddly they looked natural as though he was always meant to wear glasses.

"What do you think?" When he turned to face Naruto she squeaked, her face went red, hands clasped over her mouth, with wide eyes that refused to directly meet his gaze only skirting along his eyes. "That bad?"

Naruto shook her head no, her unbound hair roiled like a calm ocean day. She squeaked again, with a muffled scream, she unclasped her hands just long enough to peep out. "Never take them off."

Itachi looked back at the mirror, then back at Naruto - she squeaked again- then back at the case. A note rested in there that read. 'Epic Item Futaba's sexy glasses Removes blindness + 10 sex appeal to blonds.'

The note was punctuated with a caricature of Futaba and Shisui giving him a peace sign.

If Shisui made Naruto attracted to men in glasses he was going to remove his friend's eyes himself. Preferably with Shisui still coherent.

Shaking the scowl from his face Itachi looked once more at Naruto, her face still flushed but her hand's hand dropped her her sides. She had on an Uchiha blue Yukata highlighted with orange, it was a very Naruto outfit. "Now that I see clearly you do look cute."

Naruto beamed at him. "Great! You look awesome too! Especially the glasses! They suit you! Now come on! Let's go!"

She grabbed him by the arm with such force he nearly lost his shoe.

The party was an interesting affair, far less stuffy than the dinner when Naruto had been placed under Uchiha care. Mikoto had forced him and Naruto to sit at the head of the table as the honored guest and reason for their party.

There was more than one allusion to him and Naruto appearing as though they were promised to each other.

Naruto left the next morning with the blessing of the village and a heart set to return.

XXXX

Itachi frowned as he read Naruto's latest letter. Her training was progressing well, but it was her misadventures that caused him to frown. He knew that Naruto had a good heart and that she would trust people and do her best to help them. It wasn't that she didn't trust Naruto or Jiraiya for that matter.

It was that he didn't trust this Ryuji fellow that had apparently bought Naruto dinner several times in a row. allegedly he could eat just as much ramen as she could. Surely Naruto knew that this… this… this boy! Was just trying to get into her pants and that she could do so so so much better.

Like…well Nobody. Nobody was good enough to marry Naruto, not even Sasuke who was rising through the ranks of anbu quickly.

A light knock on his door brought Itachi out of his musings. "Lord Hokage are you busy? There are a few uh, guests here to see you."

Itachi blinked, he didn't have any scheduled appointments today. "Who are they?"

"You wouldn't believe me if I told you, Kakashi is currently keeping the peace and the other Jounins are on the way, might I send in the first of them?"

Itachi rose from his seat intent on finding out what exactly was happening. When he peeked his head out the door he had to wonder if he was in a genjutsu or if his glasses were playing tricks on his eyes.

Several notable figures, including every single Kage, was standing in his hallway all waiting patiently. His secretary stood off to the side with a clipboard.

"I believe the Lord Kazekage was first." His assistant pointed towards the front of the line where the Sand's most recent leader stood flanked on either side by his siblings. Temari if he recalled her name correctly was dressed up and had a natural beauty to her.

She had pretty hair but it wasn't as pretty as Naruto's.

Itachi looked at his secretary and then back at the hallway that seemed to crackle with energy as the people of power glared at one another. The Fourth Shinobi War was about to break out in his hallway. "Okay, but why are they here?"

His Secretary shrugged. "Most of them want treaties or trade deals."

"Very well, find a caterer and enlist as much help as you need to." Itachi turned to the young Kazekage and smiled. "Please come on in… Gaara correct?"

The stoic young man nodded as he entered Itachi's office. "Yes, it is a pleasure to meet you Lord Itachi."

Gaara sat opposite of Itachi for a few awkward moments before he spoke in a slow deliberate tone. "I wish to get directly to the point."

"Please do, I suddenly have a rather busy day," Itachi mumbled the last part just loud enough for Gaara to hear.

"My apologies," Gaara mumbled. "I heard that the MIzukage was coming with a proposal similar to mine so I had to act quickly."

"And that is?" Itachi was already growing tired of this game, he managed to wear his normally stoic mask.

Gaara placed a scroll onto the desk and seemed to collect himself for a moment. Itachi could have sworn he got the slightest bit of flush on Gaara's face. "I wish to propose a lasting alliance between our villages sealed with a pair of political marriages."

Itachi felt his heart sink and his eyes darted to Temari who did not look happy in the slightest. "I see and who would these marriages be between?"

"My sister has given consented to marry into the leaf and becoming your bride, while I would become the husband of Naruto Uzumaki." If Gaara noted that Itachi's pen had suddenly snapped in half he didn't show it. "I understand that Naruto is the container of the Kyuubi and likely the next candidate as the Hokage, she would not be required to stay in Suna, but I would encourage as frequent visits between the two of us."

For the good of Konoha for the good of Konoha for the good of Konoha. Itachi breathed deeply and tried to separate his desires from the logical choice. He succeeded but only desire remained. "With all due respect Gaara, I have no intent on marrying Naruto against her will, instead of forcing a political marriage between our Shinobi I suggest that we allow our ninja to intermarry I believe this would make for a stronger bond."

"If Naruto should choose to marry me?" Gaara asked this desire was the core reason for this meeting between Kages.

With tight lips, Itachi stressed. "I would support her right to choose."

Gaara stood abruptly. "I will begin courting her once she returns from her training trip.

And so began Itachi's third or fourth longest day.

The Mizukage had a similar proposal to Gaara's only she offered to marry him herself, while Naruto would be paired with the infamous Haku. Itachi did not like Haku and had to resist setting the overly polite ninja aflame throughout the meeting. It ended similarly to the one with Gaara.

Albeit with the Mei Terumi saying that she will be waiting for him in her quarters that night.

Towards the end of the day, Itachi had come to a single conclusion.

Nobody was going to marry Naruto.

AN: 2nd part is very campy! 1st part is very fluffy! Naruto returns next chapter and I can start the actual romance!

SOMEBODY HOLD ME!