Disclaimer: I don't own Naruto.


Kaname was ashamed to admit she had been so completely blind sided by the arrival of Uchiha Shisui that she had attempted to end him with a single blow.

Itachi and her had been sitting there in complete silence, sipping on tea and playing the occasional game of Go - which Itachi was ace at much to her reluctantly impressed chagrin, he was lucky this wasn't chess - when the curly haired Uchiha bursted into existence directly behind her.

So reacting like any ninja-born child would, she whirled around with extreme hostility and intent to kill.

Fingers that had dashing out towards his neck halted and she pulled back in shock, immediately inclining her head in an apology.

Damage control was a very important and was drilled into the heads of young clansmen constantly. She may not be pleased with her pairing to the Uchiha but that didn't mean she wouldn't be a prime example of Hyuuga superiority.

"I am sorry for attempting to cause you harm Uchiha-san," She said politely brow internally ticking with mild irritation because she knew he had done that on purpose and after seeing the easy way he had dodged her attack, he had been prepared for it too.

Not to mention his chakra had been purposefully suppressed, so yes. Kaname was stewing in mild annoyance already and she had only been in the Uchiha compound for ten minutes so far.

"But please next time, have a bit more tact when approaching someone training to become a shinobi." She smiled, pleased with the demure sass her next words carried. "If you feel the need to play around I'm sure there are children more similar to yourself who would be a more willing participant than myself."

A bright grin flashed and dark eyes twinkled with mischief as Shusui leaned down until his face was right next to hers.

Kaname barely twitched, already too used used to kids invading her personal space to be bothered with the older boy's actions.

"Ooh, I like you." He cooed, approval stark on his face. "I like her Itachi."

The young Uchiha heir met Shisui's gaze before turning to back face Kaname and he took a sip of his drink.

"I apologize for his behavior Kaname-san." He said politely and she raised a placating hand.

"It's fine, I'm used to that kind of behavior from my two baby cousins." She explained, furthering her tiny slight to Shisui and she watched as the older boy grinned even harder at her words.

"Oh man Ita-chan, she's fun and I like fun." Shisui said, turning particularly happy black eyes towards his cousin. "Your future wife is so much fun so why aren't you? Why are you such a debbie downer?"

Fingers spasming against the ceramic cup at the word wife, she resisted the urge to crush it in her grip and instead forced the brief scowl off of her face.

"If being a 'debbie downer'," Itachi said not bothering to give Shisui a cursory glance. "as you put it means that I'm not constantly forced to swim the span of the Uchiha lake with weights attached to my person because of the surprising amount of property damage I cause then yes, I'm rather drab."

Shisui gasped in faux horror and slapped a palm against his chest.

"And this is why Sasu-chan finds me more entertaining to play with!" He said in a huff as he turned his nose up at the young boy.

"Of course," Itachi agreed, moving a piece on the Go board, putting Kaname in a rather difficult to get out of position. "he finds it amusing to watch someone who is mentally younger than himself act like an idiot."

Shisui whistled low.

"Wow Ita-chan," He simpered. "hit me right where it hurts why don't you?"

Itachi didn't roll his eyes but he was clearly doing so even if his perfectly polite expression didn't give that away.

About to make her move on the Go board - and consequently lose - Kaname glanced over to Shisui who was now staring straight at her and watched as the boy raised both brows and set his chin in his palm.

"So whatcha doin'?" He sang and she paused, eyes flickering down to the board and back up to him.

"...Playing a game of Go."

"Hmmm, and how's that going for ya?"

Once again looking down and up she set down her piece.

"It's going." She said to him and he gave a grin that was positively cheesing.

"So you're losing yeah?" He pointed out and she tightened her jaw. "This is why I don't play this game with him, he always manages to win and it's kinda ego damaging to be honest considering I'm his elder."

Kaname didn't even have to look down to know with the move Itachi made he just won, so instead she gave a polite smile and showed her good sportsmanship by thanking him for the game.

"I'll be honest, Go isn't my strongest forte but chess is something I'm very good at."

Visibly perking up from the other side of the board, Itachi tilted his head to the side in the way she would have called cute if she wasn't currently pissed over this marriage thing.

"Chess?" He said curiously and Shisui groaned.

"Oh man, you've got the board game nut revved to go!" He informed her at when she flashed him confused look.

"Ita-chan loves strategy board games," Shisui explained. "he lives for it actually. You'd think he was a Nara with how much he plays."

"Hm and I'm guessing you'd want to learn how to play considering it's strategy based?" She asked him, curious to see if he could actually pick up the rules. If Itachi managed to understand it then she would have someone to play with. She hadn't had a good game since before she died so she was kind of looking forward to it.

Maybe they'd have something else to fill up the time frame that these horrid meetings lasted for. As much as she loved silence, she needed to report back something productive from these things to her clan.

Pleased that at least two good things for her were going to come out of this marriage meetup BS, Kaname made her offer.

"I'll teach you," She said. "and if you're good enough maybe it can replace our Go games."

Shisui cleared his throat.

"Well those lessons will have to start next time you guys see each other." He said pointing over to the wall and Kaname gave it a glance.

Giving an internally cheer at the fact that she was allowed to run for the hills and she stood and dusted off her immaculate kimono.

"I'll see you next week Itachi." She bowed as quickly and as gracefully as she could. "Shisui-san."

But as she went to leave the oldest Uchiha's voice halted her.

"Oh man I almost forgot!" He exclaimed, slapping a hand to his forehead. "I actually came by to deliver you love birds a message!"

Leaning forward the elder Uchiha gave a grin.

"Apparently the ladies of the four noble clans want to have a shindig so we'll all be seeing each other there tomorrow." He told them and Kaname felt a little dismayed before she recalled that he said the ladies of the four noble clans.

Excited to meet people who didn't belong to her own family or the Uchiha's, Kaname nodded.

"See you there then." And with the closing of the doors she was gone.

It was strange, she mused as she walked down the hallway, to realize that if Uchiha Itachi didn't come with all that baggage he would have certainly made a good candidate for her husband.

Very strange indeed.


Arriving at the multi-clan function Kaname come across a revelation.

Uchiha Sasuke was positively adorable and had imprinted on her like a baby duck.

Sitting seiza she hadn't even noticed as the tiny baby made his way over and attempted to crawl into her lap. She, assuming it was little Nata, hefted him up, set him down properly, and started playing with his hair.

What brought the fact that he wasn't her baby cousin to her attention was when Hinata sidled up and stared curiously at the child who had taken her spot.

Kaname had gracefully covered her embarrassment at making a mistake with an appropriate amount of poise.

Giving his back to his mother, he spent the entire time he was there attempting to get back to her and Kaname felt a little pride in herself. She wasn't called the baby whisperer when she hadn't been Kaname for nothing.

But meeting the rather - dare she say it - jealous eyes of Itachi from across the room as Mikoto finally let Sasuke cuddle up to her, she knew she was going to enjoy this.

Thoroughly.


Edit: 3/25/16

Some food for thought for you guys.

Itachi actually does want to marry Kaname, and it's not because he has a crush on her or particularly likes her. See if you can guess why.

The massacre will not be happening but that doesn't mean no Uchiha will be getting kill. Take from that what you will.

Anyways next chapter Kaname meets Izumi.

Also Shisui and Itachi's relationship in this fic makes me laugh so much because Itachi acts like Shisui annoys him but he loves that boy to pieces!