DISCLAIMER- I own nothing!

Just after eleven the next day, I left the house.

I had carefully dressed in a sapphire-blue yukata with embroidered swallows dancing along the hems, with my hair brushed with a drop of rose oil so it shone like tempered chocolate. I was also holding my best cake tin in my sweaty hands. Icky, I know but…

I was fricking terrified.

This wasn't a 'I've-Just-Died-And-I-Think-I'm-A-Foetus' or even 'That's-A-Bijuu-Look-Kids' kind of fear. It was more the ShitShitShit-What-If-I-Start-Coughing-Or-Trip-On-My-Face?-Maybe-I-Should-Call-In-Sick nerves, like going back to school. Urgh.

I'd woken up super early, Hitoshi curled up around me like my own personal, living and breathing blanket. The sky had still been dark but my head was filled with images of the Massacre, 'Madara' and Danzo. It took a long while for the adrenaline to eventually diffuse and, by then, the birds had started chirping. I had still worried that I wouldn't be able to change anything this time. The Uchiha Massacre had changed everything but, if I succeeded, what if that made Konoha even more dangerous? All those angry warriors still alive? But I couldn't let the innocent children or clan members be killed simply for their blood. But I also couldn't let the same happen to the village.

And this was why I didn't want to try and be a hero.

I had no illusions as to my capabilities. I couldn't do a whole lot but I'd do what I could without getting in too deep. That would only get me killed and then what? I'd have accomplished nothing.

Maybe if I tried to draw the compound out of its isolation, some of the unease would dissipate.

Surely a no-name civilian girl, who had a bit of a rep for baking, could give the clan some good publicity. Even if it was just to make them look more approachable.

Hitoshi, who cut a striking figure with beautifully cleaned and brushed fur (that had taken most of the morning; he was sooooo fastidious for a creature who licked himself), waltzed along a step behind me. I was still tall for my age, 4ft9 already, but Hitoshi was massive enough that he could rest his chin on my head, if he so wished. But, then again, He'd grown alongside me as I aged, having only being a teenager when I was born (summons had the same lifespan of their human counterparts).

Dressed/groomed to perfection, the pair of us gathered some looks as I marched purposefully towards the Uchiha Compound.

The guards gave me an uninterested once-over before disregarding me. Well, that wouldn't do.

"Excuse me, Uchiha-san, Mikoto-hime is expecting me for tea," I blinked as cutely as a child with two black eyes could and, as if to accentuate my point, extended the cake tin towards him slightly. Using 'hime' for Mikoto should butter him up; the title was only really properly used in the Daimyo's court or for Tsunade and Mito.

The guy didn't even blink.

Well, never mind that then.

I sniffed a little, whipping out my best heartbroken expression and clasped the cake to my chest. "B-but, it'll melt soon," which was true "and then the matcha will run everywhere. Mikoto-hime heard that I make new desserts and asked me to bring her one to try…"

Tears, like drops of perfect crystal that clung to my dark lashes, shone like stars against the night-sky of my eyes.

The man visibly wilted. Ha, sucker.

He sighed quietly and before popping his head behind the gate.

"Shunshin, quit training for a moment. There's a visitor here for Mikoto-sama. Take them up to the house."

Shunshin? As in-

A boy with the most beautiful head of black curls stood in front of me, looking for all the world as if he had been there the entire time.

Shisui. AHHHHHHHHHH-

"Hey. Would you please follow me?" he smiled slightly, tilted eyes slowly taking in Hitoshi, the tin and I. As most boys were, he was almost half-a-head shorter than me at this age, even if he had a year over me.

Pulling myself together, as if I didn't just have a mental breakdown at the sight of the Most-Tragic-Suicide-Cinnamon Roll-Ever, a genuine smile flickered across my lips. "Sure thing, thank you."

Hitoshi didn't even deign to acknowledge anyone, not even with a blink. He looked, for lack of a better example, like a particularly massive house-cat, meandering along in my wake.

The Compound was like a mini village- organised like a neighbourhood but with one or two shops open as well. They were obviously built into the converted front of people's homes and I wondered if they only sold exclusively to the Uchiha.

I'd said before that animation didn't do these people justice in real life and I'll frickin' say it again.

Shisui had curls. Not choppy, messy spikes. Honest-to-Kami curls, like some black-haired cherub. With insane ninja skills…

The fandom is really missing out.

Due to our height difference, I had the perfect view of his hair and it was unbelievably distracting. I was too used to playing with Hitoshi's fur and Hana's tresses; my fingers itched to reach out and pet Shisui's head.

The curls on top were tighter, inky black and glossy in the midday sun, but the ones brushing his hitai-ate and neck were loose, flicking out around his head endearingly.

I wanted to touch them so bad.

Remembering that Shisui had apparently been an extraordinarily perceptive person, I scrambled for something to say. Also, I was so not going to pass up on friendship with this little ray of sunshine.

"So, is your name really 'Shunshin'?"

Oh, good going Kiharu! If I didn't already know otherwise, that could have been potentially awkward.

Shisui glanced over his shoulder with a surprised smile before barking out a laugh.

"Nah, its actually Uchiha Shisui,"

Unable to help myself, I drawled out "Really?" glancing around the Compound comprised solely of the Clan, "-I would never have guessed!" He looked surprised again before something that might have been joy flickered in his eyes. We exchanged grins.

I was insufferably pleased to note that his was just as mischievous as mine.

"Dazai Kiharu," I belatedly introduced myself, as we drew closer to a large house and, before he could ask, I continued. "I'm here to have tea with Mikoto-hime-" Well, that name had stuck now, I guessed "-because she wanted to try the desserts I create." I gestured with the tin.

"Oh, really? What's in there?" He looked a bit eager and I wondered if he shared Itachi's love of all things sweet.

"Ah," I grinned cheekily and booped him on the nose with one finger. He went a bit cross eyed and I resolved to do it again, even if it killed me. "It's a surprise, Shisui-kun!" and, well, I couldn't exactly call him Uchiha around here, now could I?

The door slid open to reveal Mikoto, dressed in a lavender kimono that complimented her complexion, and Shisui quickly sketched a bow.

"Kiharu-chan, it's wonderful to see you." She actually smiled, eyes crinkling softly and Shisui did the Uchiha-version of a double-take (his eyes flickered- ooh~).

Geez, why were all Uchiha's so pretty? It was enough to give a girl a complex.

"Good afternoon, Mikoto-hime," I smiled at the surprise in her eyes at the honorific. It felt a bit like a super slick-but-well-meant tease; I mean, when was the last time someone called a grown woman 'princess'? "I brought the matcha green tea mousse cake we talked about and-", I glanced uncertainly at the boy behind me but…he'd perked up at the mention of matcha and I was a sucker for Shisui so…

"Perhaps, if he's not too busy, Shisui-kun could have some too." I resolutely focused on Mikoto's face, worried that I'd been (again) too presumptuous with people. She looked surprised, then considering and then…gleeful?

A shiver of foreboding ran down my spine and I absently made a mental memo to never cross a woman who wanted daughters but got sons.

I risked a glance at Shisui.

He looked…I couldn't tell. His eyes were all soft, which was a good thing I guessed, but his mouth was also clenched. Just a little bit. Why the hell was he hesitating? I wasn't that weird right?

But, more importantly, what boy would turn down a free dessert?

Especially at lunchtime?!

Sora-oba and kaa-san had half killed me when they realised that, along with their generous meals, I was essentially stuffing myself with enough cream and pastries each day to make an Akimichi sick.

I, of course, was unphased. Fullness was for the weak. After all, dessert doesn't go to the stomach. It goes to the heart.

"Well, Shisui? Will you join us?" Mikoto's voice was soft and we both snapped our heads up to look at her.

"Thank you, Mikoto-sama, Kiharu-chan."

I beamed in success and bounded up the stairs before him. Ahh, I love it when a plan comes together, A-Team.

Naturally, Hitoshi followed, not even bothering to check if he was welcomed as well. Then again, this was a really ninja household- maybe he didn't have to ask.

Like he even would, I internally scoffed at the thought.

The interior was very traditionally Japanese and Mikoto lead us through until we reached a small tea-room which had doors open into the garden. The room was washed a soft green with a delicate design of sakura tree's and a low table, surrounded by cushions, was the centrepiece of the room. Baby Sasuke was asleep in a bassinet and Itachi (he was so small!) was crouched next to him, one little finger stroking over his face.

The trees made me wonder if canon Sakura had seen them and considered them a sign from fate that she was destined to marry Sasuke, in some creepy twisted way?

She had been batty enough about the poor boy, that I wouldn't have put it past her.

Mikoto immediately started bustling around with the tea. She looked so motherly I could only stand there for a minute and greedily drink it all in. Whilst she worked, she introduced me to her sons but I didn't get much of a response; Sasuke was a baby and, well, asleep. Boo, you're boring.

And Itachi…At the sight of Itachi, Shisui had perked up, bounding over to the younger boy with a broad smile. It vaguely reminded me of those documentaries, when the joey bounced around Mama Kangaroo.

Wait. Maybe that wasn't the best analogy…

I almost had a cardiac arrest at the sudden expressiveness and felt a sweatdrop form when Itachi was just as solemn as ever. His eyes met mine however and he looked…a little bit happy? Surely, he didn't think I was going to be used as a meatsheild against his cousin? Pfft, no way, gaki.

– Around 30 seconds later –

My eyes flickered to the sky outside, just in case, and- nope, the world wasn't ending. I really had found myself sat between Itachi and Shisui, who both smiled at me. (well…Itachi's eyes were a bit warmer)

Nani?

I set the tin on the table with all the tenderness of a mother and her new-born baby whilst Hitoshi wandered over to the closest patch of sunlight and slumped bonelessly onto the warmth.

Wow, so invested.

The boys' interest was caught though and they gathered around the food like the curious puppies they were. A sudden mental image of the two with silky dog ears and fluffy tails flashed in my mind and I cursed that I had no Sharingan to preserve it forever.

Danzo and Kakashi flashed in my mind and- you know what? Never mind.

When I popped the lid, the Uchiha's leant forward curiously and Mikoto smiled in delight.

"Ah! The gradient, just as you said, Kiharu-chan."

I nodded happily, even as I did the honours and started slicing through the creamy treat. "Ah, the darker the green, the stronger the Matcha flavour!" I agreed, pleased at the anticipation in Shisui's eyes. Itachi was, of course, doing his best impersonation of his own statue. Paint him gold and he'd have been a great street performer.

When everyone (minus the baby and Hitoshi, obviously) took their first bite, I tried to convince myself I wouldn't care if they didn't enjoy it.

(It was a lie, I'd be totally pissed)

Mikoto "hmmm"-ed happily, devouring her slice just as quickly as Shisui, who immediately took matters into his own hands and cut himself another slice (which just happened to be almost a full quarter of the remaining cake but, who was I kidding? I was thrilled).

Itachi chewed his first bite slowly, face as blank as ever, and I tried not to think of him as a connoisseur of all things sweet. I felt strangely reminiscent of that scene in Ratatouille, when Ego took his first bite of Remy's dish.

"Itachi?" Mikoto, the angel, prompted him and her eldest obediently swallowed.

"…It's nice." He looked almost shy and squeezed out the smallest of smiles. I felt just a touch blessed as a scene of falling flower petals developed behind us…I resisted the urge to pull a dad and flop boneless to the ground in relief.

Wait. There was the mental sound of screeching tyres.

Eh?

'nice'?

"Is it better than dango?" I cut straight to the point with all the grilling focus of an industrial laser and Shisui looked like he wanted to die of laughter. If he tried to, he'd probably asphyxiate around the massive mouthful he'd just shovelled in.

"…" Itachi blinked.

I glared a bit and Mikoto hid a smile behind her hair.

"…but, nothing's better than dango, Kiharu-san…?"

Hitoshi wheezed.

"Should I be worried?"

Dad's voice interrupted me as I glazed the jam donuts with classic white icing. The ring ones had been mirror-glazed in a spectrum of reds and oranges and the muffins were lemon and poppy seed.

"None of it's for you, Tou-san!" the sharp crack of my voice had dad's hand, almost touching the red velvet and cream cheese cupcakes, to jerk back as if I'd actually been able to physically strike him.

Once he had carefully retreated to a respectable distance, I relaxed a bit and set down the sharp skewer I'd reflexively grabbed. Oops.

"It's for Itachi." I shrugged.

3,2…1.

"NANI?" Dad exploded, looking like he was on the cusp of a mental breakdown. And, in terms of my dad? That was frickin' severe.

"A boy? Y-y-you're only seven, Ki-chan! I agreed to let you talk to boys when you were thirty, remember?"

"Err, was that when you mumbled to yourself for an hour when I made friends with Izumo and Kotetsu?" I tilted my head. "Conversations are two sided, you know. And anyway, Itachi's five."

Dad looked so relieved at that last nugget of information, he all but fainted.

Tch, such drama.

I resolutely ignored my own behaviour from earlier, when I'd tried to flip the table on Itachi for his little comment.

(the good thing about being civilian? No one had taken me seriously and so didn't hold it against me)

Filling my cart with the treats, safely stowed in recycled take-away tubs, I marched straight back to the Uchiha Compound, which I'd left not three hours earlier.

"Shisui-kun!" I called as I drew closer and saw my new friend (after letting him eat pretty much the entire mousse cake, we better have been) and he smiled, if a bit confused.

"Err, Kiharu-chan…what is that?" he pointed at the selection of five different goodies and I grinned innocently.

"Nothing much…just a little something for Itachi."

He snorted and led me inside anyway. "Yeah, to try to convince him that your desserts are better."

Abandoning all pretences, I slumped forwards, depressed, and wailed, "I thought for sure he would've liked it better than that dry dango stuff!"

His arm slipped around my shoulders, which was a bit hilarious considering the height difference, and reasoned with me easily. His voice was disgustingly cheerful but he was so sweet I didn't kick up a fuss.

"Itachi loves dango. He's got a massive sweet tooth, yeah, but dango is like…on a different level, Kiharu-chan!" Urgh, how dare he sound so reasonable.

"-And anyway, isn't it more important that I loved it? What else have you got for me, ay?"

"Aha! I bet you're only my friend so I'll bake for you!" I accused, my voice triumphant as if I had solved an impossible mystery.

Shisui stuttered and I turned to him in surprise but he met my gaze squarely, smile wide and beaming, and his eyes fairly shone.

"Yeah, I guess we are those kinds of friends, huh!" He acted casual as we started moving again. Feeling gracious for once, I let him natter on about how I should give him premium taste-testing rights for all my recipes. I idly wondered if the peace would be acceptable exchange for the taint on my rep if I poisoned him once or twice.

When we arrived at the porch, Shisui took the back of the cart whilst I carried the front up the steps and, when a bemused Mikoto let us in, he gestured for me to go in first. But I couldn't help but pause on the threshold.

"I…want to be friends with Shisui, for Shisui." I whispered quietly.

A small pinkie briefly locked around mine and I knew he understood.

Shisui was such a character, I had little doubt he'd had a lot of friends but…Danzo was already shit-stirring and I wondered how many he had left once Danzo's rumours about the Uchiha had reached their parents. By his reaction? Probably none.

I was reminded again of what little shits kids could be.

For example?

"But Itachi-chan, Mikoto-hime said you like lemon!"

(Apparently, it just wasn't dango)

Hn, who wanted the approval of a sweetness connoisseur and possible future Nuke-nin anyway?

sigh…me.

….

Five days later, I was delivering the usual tarts to Teuchi (without my carnivorous entourage, for once). The old man had asked for double delivery and I wondered if he was starting to get a higher demand for them or was just being greedy.

It was at that point that Shisui flickered in next to me and I almost threw the box up into the air. He'd been doing that a lot.

"Good morning, Kiharu! What's on the menu today?" and he tried to peek under the lid before I lifted it away from him.

"Nuh-uh, Shisui! This is the delivery for Ichiraku so you can't have any!" I wagged one finger at him and he turned those massive almond eyes on with their full effect-

Until I planted one hand in over them at least.

"Oh no, you don't! That hang-dog look gets you nowhere!" I growled. In response, Shisui's warm hand wrapped around my wrist and pulled it down just far enough for his massive eyes to peek over the top. He blinked slowly and those ridiculously unfair lashes tickled my fingers.

"…you can have a ramen off my tally."

I pointedly ignored his insufferably pleased expression and how, with a glance over my shoulder, he kept a firm grip on my wrist.

An uncomfortable cough interrupted us and we turned in union to see Izumo and Kotetsu. The two were red faced and unhappy. I was half-surprised that Genma-nee was nowhere in sight, making sure they didn't fuck this up. Again. But, well…

Shit. I'd kinda been, well, not avoiding them so much as…avoiding the issue?

"Kiharu-chan." Izumo broke the stilted silence. Shisui had his Uchiha mask turned on full and was glancing between the three of us, undoubtedly already placing pieces together. "Y-your nose and eyes…are you okay?" Izumo eyed my face with naked concern and took one aborted step closer, a small hand raised as if to touch mine, before he apparently thought better of it.

Great. Now it was even more awkward. Part of me wanted to just forgive them already. Another part wanted to break the tension with my fist.

Surely, we'd be even if they both had black eyes too?

"Dad says-" they both (a red-faced Kotetsu was currently staring, apparently absorbed, at my left foot) flinched noticeably but I soldiered on, viciously satisfied at their reaction despite myself. "-that it should start clearing up by the end of the week."

Izumo nodded furiously, looking both deeply relieved and painfully guilty. It was silent for a minute or two as we both visibly floundered, and I desperately tried not to think of all the pointed and undoubtedly embarrassing things Tou-san cornered them about. Knowing dad, he'd probably taken the chance to say something to Genma as well, and wasn't that just even more ridicu-

It was at that point that Kotetsu burst, like water from a dam.

"I'm really sorry, Kiharu! We didn't mean to hurt you! I'm really, really sorry that we didn't listen and for saying that you were a coward…" his head jerk up and, with clenched fists and all but leaning forward towards me, he basically yelled his entire apology for the street to hear.

Two ladies, outside the seamstress's a few feet away, giggled like twits and I felt my eye twitch.

I sighed. I knew they were both sorry but I was a bit…spooked about their opinions. After all, things said in anger always had roots somewhere.

It was depressing to think that most of the ninja probably held similar opinions. Maybe even Shisui…but I didn't really want to go there right now.

At least Dad wasn't an arsehole.

"It's…I won't say that 'it's fine' because it isn't. You really scared me but I'm sorry too, for the things I said." I looked away, scratching my arm self-consciously and thought of all the petty fights teenage girls could get into. At least, boys were simpler to deal with, in general.

Well, I thought that. Up until Shisui took a subtle half-step in front of me before turning his back to the boys.

And that was an insult, a ninja insult, if ever I saw one. To put your back to someone was either a great show of respect and trust…or that you completely disregarded their skills so that they weren't even considered a threat.

Somehow, I didn't think it was the former.

For fuck's sake, Shisui! I'm trying to help your clan's image and I thought you, at least, were going to be helpful!

"Well, Kiharu! You said that you had an appointment to keep with Teuchi, right?" He smiled, perfectly innocent and I almost half believed his little show before catching the devil glares burning into his skull via the duo. Of course, I was too busy trying not to strangle the little bi-polar idiot to really be fooled by anything.

A sweatdrop pressed into my head and I wondered where the serene and unflappable Shisui from Canon had disappeared off to.

Well.

Leaning around Shisui's form (it wasn't hard, he was shorter – much to his annoyance), I smiled warmly at the duo who immediately looked at me hopefully.

"I'll pop round Genma-nee's sometime this week and get him to beat your asses for me, okay?" they gaped and I internally cackled with glee.

"I'll bring Yondaime's!" and bam, look at that! They were perfectly whole again. And, with a wave, I dragged Shisui off.

Turning around towards Ichiraku, Shisui acted like nothing had happened but I knew better. The little shit had done something, like a weird ninja powerplay-

I swore to the Shinigami-No! To fucking Jashin-sama (he was more painful, right?) that if those idiots thought they could have some turf war over 'their' civilian and her cooking…!

I would set both Tou-san and Hitoshi on them all before lulling them into a false sense of security and poisoning them. I wasn't some pathetic girl from one of those OC fics where all the guys fell at her feet and she ended up with most of the main cast thinking the sun shone out of her ass. That was beyond stupid! And we were children. I mean, I certainly wasn't going to be voted 'Miss Popular' anytime soon, considering I had about five friends – one of which was a ninja cat! The boys and Shisui were just being possessive little shits- like when your best friend starts getting popular and you worry they're trying to replace you.

I'd had to forcibly restrain myself from acting that way at some of Noko's parties.

But, just because I understood to a certain extent, didn't mean I wasn't going to tear them into kitty chow for Hitoshi.

Shisui shivered violently for some unknown reason and felt the need to move away from me slightly.

"Teuchi!" I cried joyfully, brushing past the signs and waltzing into the ramen stand, tins held aloft like an award. The man in question grinned at me happily and reached forwards to take the containers. When he cracked the lid and peeked on eye inside;

"Ah, Kiharu-chan, perfect as always! You sure do know your craft!"

I grinned in response, pulling myself onto a stool and ordering, even as Shisui sat next to me and smugly checked his off of my tally. The ramen was done quickly and we were comfortably silent as we stuffed ourselves past-full with noodles and delicious broth. Occasionally, I'd prompt Shisui to start talking and he eagerly told me about getting the drop on his training partner earlier.

He was always so keen to talk and laugh but, sometimes, it was only if I prompted him first. I knew Shisui was an orphan and he had briefly mentioned growing up with his great-uncle Kagami (I'd internally flipped my shit at being the first of the fandom to find out the official link between the two). He'd lost a best friend at the end of the war, which had activated his Mangekyou, and had recently become just as isolated as the other Uchiha children. And I knew the Itachi and Shisui had been like brothers (or more, according to come ships) before his death.

I just never figured I'd have the opportunity to wiggle into that void beforehand.

It had been a week and I was already pretty sure that Shisui would be Shunshining into my life for a very long time.

Speaking of…

"…Why haven't you gone to get your eyes and nose healed at the hospital, Kiharu-chan?" His voice was muted and his eyes fixed on his chopsticks as he swirled them through the last drops of sauce.

I sighed and smiled ruefully. It was one of the things that pissed me off about this world because-

"For civilians, nothing which isn't deemed 'serious' is treated with iryojutsu ('Healing Arts') because the hospital is limited on those who can use it. So, only Shinobi are treated that way for, well, everything in order to maintain their physical bests for training and missions.

"Civilians just have to…deal with it."

His eyes popped wide and his mouth formed a little 'oh'.

"I could…ask around the compound, if you wanted? To see if someone could help?" His hand came up to rub at the back of his head when I turned in surprise, meeting strangely bashful eyes before I smiled warmly.

He'd only known me a week but he was already so caring.

I couldn't let a gem-of-a-friend like him fade away. And I'd probably, like the sentimental imbicile I was, do everything I could to save him and the Uchiha and Konoha.

"Thanks, Shisui-kun. That would be brilliant."

A/N- Yo! So, super quick; Sorry for the wait (by this fic's standards) but I did some artwork of Kiharu and Hitoshi! Which is also my first piece of fanart posted and it's now the image for this fic! Its also listed as a part of my series (which include's this fic) called 'Rebirth could have been...worse?' under the title 'Kiharu and friends'. Now, I think its hilarious if Itachi likes Kiharu (not necessarily like-like he's only 5 jeez) but she's so insulted by the whole 'dango/pocky' thing. Plus, she can't get on with everyone so smoothly/at all- that would be too 'ficcy' or Mary-Sue-ish i think. Also, I think she'd make up pretty quick with Izumo and Kotetsu as that's what kids do. However, they've ignited a civilian-passion inside her and she'll flip her shit next times someone is prejudice. Anyway, thanks for all the lovely comments, I adore you all and i hope you enjoy! xxx