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Chapter 11: The Night Before

Kisara breathed deeply then let it all out in one big exhale. Finally, the day was almost here, she would be married to Lord Matsuoka by this time tomorrow. She sighed once more to herself. Since the incident in his room, Kisara and Yahiko had barely spoken. They had done so only when necessary and Kisara could still feel his eyes on her, even now as she prepared for the rehearsal dinner though she was alone in her room.

She knew he was outside, waiting for her to finish dressing. They would go down to the main hall from there and await her brother who would be arriving soon. She had to admit, as uncomfortable as everything was, she really wanted to see Kira. She wanted to hug him and cry to him like when she was a little girl and he would hug her and grin like any big brother would. She knew that when Kira was with her, everything was alright.

Steeling herself, she finished the last touches on her kimono. This one was of silver silk, the under robes a light blue cotton in honor of her clan and the icy land they called their home. She exited her rooms, glancing momentarily to her left but then stepping forward, knowing of course that Yahiko would be falling into step behind her. She avoided looking at his face.

The two walked in silence, an awkward silence at least for Kisara, down the hallway and down the stairs. At the bottom she could see Lord Matsuoka, chatting lightly with some other expensively robed nobles. He paused in his conversation to smile up at her, presumably an innocent gesture, but it still made her uncomfortable.

She swallowed heavily and joined the party. She was offered a glass of a bubbly beverage she had never tried before and began sipping it rather fast, finding it both delicious and alcoholic. She quickly drained her first glass and was immediately offered a second by a passing servant.

Yahiko who had been behind her and to the left during her first glass leaned slightly forward and said, "Kisara-sama, you need to slow down."

Kisara started badly, almost spilling her nearly-full second glass on the floor. She had been so preoccupied with her own feelings she had somehow forgotten Yahiko was there. "I can take care of myself, thanks." She said icily and without looking at him.

She only heard a low and exasperated sign in response.

As agitated as she was, she did heed Yahiko's advice and sipped her second drink slower. Luckily there were also little trays of appetizers floating around and she took care to eat a few, barely tasting what must have been delicious favors as a result of her nerves.

The party continued for several minutes, she lingered by Lord Matsuoka's side, unsure what to do or who to talk to. Though this was supposed to be their rehearsal dinner, Kisara found she didn't know anyone who was invited aside from the Raikage, whom she had only met the one time.

She fiddled with the bracelet on her left hand, feeing more and more uncomfortable by the minute when finally it was announced that the representatives from the Land of Snow had arrived. Kisara found that she was so happy in that moment that almost all of her other feelings vanished.

Through the large double-doors walked Kira along with several other members of the Yukidurama household, including…Yuri! Kisara had to force herself not to cry in front of everyone, but she walked up to her family, the members of her clan, and felt immediately at home.

"Hey there little sis." Kira said, an almost sly grin crossing his handsome features. He crinkled his blue eyes at her, an expression she knew he made when he was excited about something. "You don't look terrible in that kimono." He teased.

She grinned at him and didn't even bother throwing a comeback his way.

"My Lord Yukikage, welcome to my humble home." Lord Matsuoka interrupted their playful banter.

"Thank you so much for hosting this much anticipated and happy event, Lord Matsuoka." Kira stated, suddenly all business and charm. He bowed slightly to the Lord.

"It had been my pleasure having my betrothed here, she has been nothing but a delight. But of course you must know that. For now, I expect you are much fatigued by your journey, please, enjoy yourself and relax." He smiled his overly-friendly smile and returned to mingling with his guests.

By this time the party was in full swing and most of the guests were awaiting their dinner with anticipation. When it was finally announced, everyone filed into the dining area and took their seats. Lord Matsuoka sat at the head of the table, Kisara seated at his right, the Raikage seated on his left, and Kira sat on the other side of Kisara. Kisara glanced around and spied Yahiko leaning against the wall behind her, Haru having joined him, propping up the wall adjacent to him as usual. Haru caught her eye and grinned at her, a smile she was more than happy to return. She turned around, not sparing a glance for Yahiko. He is a distraction I can't afford to have, she told herself firmly.

The dinner continued and concluded without a hitch, each guest expressing satisfaction with their meal and company. For Kisara, she couldn't wait for it to be over, she was hoping for a much needed conversation with her brother and with Yuri. She sensed that they too, wished to speak to her alone. As soon as dessert was concluded and whisked away, the Lord stood up to address his party.

"Dear friends and guests, thank you so much for your support on the eve of the happiest day of my life" he paused to smile down at Kisara before continuing, "I trust that you have enjoyed our delicious meal, and now I ask for all of the guests to retire and allow us all to get some much needed rest for our continued celebration tomorrow."

The guests murmured their congratulations and thanks for the meal as they filed out. Once they exited the dining room, only Kisara, Yuri, Kira, Lord Matsuoka, the Raikage and both of her bodyguards remained.

"My dear, I trust you must be very tired." The Lord said in a kindly way, "please retire yourself and I will see you in the morrow." He smiled at her, effectively churning the duck and roast lamb that, up until that moment, had been laying deliciously in her stomach.

"Yes my Lord, see you tomorrow." She inclined her head towards the Lord. "May I ask to have Yuri and Lord Yukikage accompany me?"

The Lord looked slightly taken aback at her request. "My apologies, my dear. I was expecting the Lord Yukikage to accompany myself and the Lord Raikage to my study for a nightcap."

"Oh, yes, of course." Kisara said, suddenly disappointed. With that clear dismissal, and with nothing to use as her defense other than her brother's shrug and his whisper of the word 'later', she and Yuri climbed the stairs back to her room, Yahiko and Haru trailing along as usual.

"Good to see you again, Yuri-chan." Haru cooed at Yuri, little hearts practically swimming above his head.

Yuri dimpled at Haru, "You as well, how are you, Haru-san?"

"Never better, Kisara-sama's been a pain in the ass, but—" He was interrupted by Yahiko swiftly elbowing him in the ribs.

"My apologies Yuri-san, please forgive my colleague, he likes to joke now and again as I am sure you remember." Yahiko responded, mild annoyance clear in his dry tone.

"Of course, Yahiko-san, no offence was taken." Yuri said, both hands raised in order to calm the situation.

"Well gang, here we are. I suppose it's time the two men left you to your marry-making." Haru said, having recovered from the vicious jab to his abdomen.

"Oh, right, will you two be…?" Kisara asked.

"Right here." Haru finished, "All. Night. Long." He waggled his eyebrows as the ladies both of whom giggled.

Kisara turned to Yahiko, the same question in her eyes.

"And I'll be in my quarters, if you find you should need my assistance with anything." His deep black eyes burrowed into hers, all at the same time saying everything, and nothing to her.

"See you tomorrow, then." Kisara said softly, and together she and Yuri stepped across the threshold to her room.


"So wait, you kissed him?" Yuri asked, absolutely dumbfounded.

"Yes…" Kisara said, face hidden behind her pillow in embarrassment.

"Well, I don't blame you, he is seriously hot. He has that tough-guy-waif-thing about him."

"The 'what-thing'?" She asked, peeking out from the padded surface.

"You know, someone who you know can take care of himself, and you if it came to it, but at the same time has a dark past or something. Like he's the one who really needs to be taken care of. You know? Super hot." After making her point, she reached for her glass of wine, her third of the evening so far.

"Huh, now that you say that, I wonder how true that really is. I mean, the guy never smiles or anything. But I will tell you, the kiss was amazing." She signed.

"Kisa-chan, I am happy that you got to make out with such a hot guy, but don't forget." Yuki warned.

"I know, I know. My duty." Kisara sighed. Also reaching for her glass of wine, this one her fourth.

The Lord had gifted Kisara with an early wedding gift, three bottles of sweet wine and various snacks to munch on and share. She had to admit that she was touched. Maybe the Lord wouldn't be so bad after all. I mean, he did manage to think of things that made her happy, at least on an intrinsic level.

She fingered her glass for a few minutes, unsure of what to say next. She always liked the silences she could have with Yuri. They were never awkward or uncomfortable. She could just be herself. She didn't have to worry about politics or any double meanings. She sighed with bliss. She didn't realize how much she had missed this.

"Do you think Haru-san is seeing anyone?" Yuri broke the silence a little too innocently for Kisara not to catch on.

"You like him, don't you?" Kisara said, disbelief in her voice.

"So what? Don't judge me because you like your waif-man." She said, slightly embarrassed that Kisara had discovered her secret.

"I would never! And don't call Yahiko-san a waif-man." Kisara laughed, inwardly concerned that if Yahiko ever heard that nickname she wasn't sure what he would do.

The two giggled together for some time before finally falling asleep, on one hand dreaming of possibilities on the other trying not to think too hard about the future.


Itachi paced around his room, having finished packing his meager supply of belongings that he had brought with him on this mission, he was restless. Tomorrow, shortly after the ceremony, he and Kisame would be on their way back to Hidden Rain with their reward in hand and the information they had collected on the Eight Tails safely in their heads.

All-in-all, it had been a successful mission, one carried our flawlessly, well, almost anyway. Even so, Itachi could not bring himself to think of Kisara as a flaw. If anything she had been the best reward he could have asked for. Something far more valuable than money, though he was sure that if Kakuzu was here he would have something to say about that.

Itachi continued his pacing, convinced by this point that he would be up until dawn, when a brief knock at his door made him pause. For one wild moment he hoped it was Kisara, but he then immediately dismissed the thought, stupid of him to think that.

"Yes?"

"Yahiko-san, Lord Matsuoka has requested your presence." A servant's voice answered.

Frowning almost imperceptibly, he opened the door and followed the servant, an adolescent boy who couldn't have been older than Sasuke, down the hall to the Lord's study.

Itachi knocked on the Lord's door and received permission to enter after hearing Matsuoka's muffled reply. He expected that the Lord would be alone, and he was not disappointed. It seemed that both of the Kage's had retired in preparation for the ceremony. The Lord himself was seated behind his desk just like every other time Itachi had entered the room. However, he had only ever been here once before without Kisara, and that had been when he had looked around for information about the Eight Tails. He had been in the room without the Lord then of course as well, but he of course wasn't to know that.

"Ah, Yahiko-san, thank you for meeting with me so late. I hope I didn't wake you?"

"Not at all Matsuoka-sama. I was merely preparing for the return journey tomorrow."

"Of course, of course. I would imagine you traveled far to get here?" It was a loaded question.

Itachi chose not to respond, sending a wordless message to the Lord not to pry.

Lord Matsuoka took the hint and continued, "I wonder if you would be interested in an additional…assignment?"

Itachi blinked. "Would it require additional time?" Part of him hoped that would be the case.

"Not much time, no. In fact, it could be accomplished within the day tomorrow." He replied offhandedly. "Of course, you and Hatsuharu-san would be compensated for your extra efforts." He concluded.

"…What is the assignment?"


Kisame sat in front of Kisara's room in his usual spot. About an about an hour ago he was entertained by the sound of gleeful laughter coming through the wall, but he was pretty sure that Kisara and her lovely friend had long since fallen asleep. He whistled softly to himself to pass the time, unconsciously savoring each moment as this was officially his last night on guard duty.

He looked up suddenly, not because he heard a noise of anything, but because he felt something. Unsurprised, he found Itachi standing in front of him. Thankfully the two had been working together for so long that this action no longer surprised him otherwise he was pretty sure he would have jumped three feet in the air.

"Yahiko-san, fancy seeing you here this late. I would have thought that you would have been asleep." He grinned.

"Kisame." That one word was enough to trigger alarm bells in his head. Itachi hadn't used Kisame's real name since they arrived in Hidden Frost several weeks ago. The fact that he had used it now wasn't very reassuring.

"Itachi." He answered, the question though unspoken rang out clearly in the hallway.

"We have a problem."