After having a TERRIBLE writer's block, I finally managed to write this 2,000+ word chapter. Thank God!

(Itachi's POV)

"Remind me, why are we doing this?" I whispered to Shisui.

"Because your Dad still thinks Kara is your soulmate. And it doesn't seem like Naruko is coming back anytime soon." Shisui replied.

"Hey Kara," I turned around, "Mind if I speak with Shisui for a quick minute?"

"S-sure." She froze up.

"Thanks!" I pulled Shisui aside.

"What is it? You're making this weirder. And it's weird enough as it is." Shisui said.

"What is wrong with you?!" I hissed, "I don't want another girl, I love Naruko!"

Shisui put his hands up, "Don't get angry at me, go tell that to your Dad. He's the one who set you up for this."

I cursed, "Damn it Dad! When we meet, I'm gonna~"

"Itachi-sama?" Kara tapped me on the shoulder.

I turned around and smiled, "Yes?"

"I was just told that I could be assigned to a mission soon so I have to leave." Kara said.

Shisui elbowed me in the side and gave me a look. We had an intense eye discussion:

Me: Why the hell are you elbowing me?

Shisui: Whether or not you like her, you're Dad sent us out here in hopes of you two making progress.

Me: You just said I don't like her. How are we going to make progress?

Shisui: Listen, idiot! She'll go report back to your Dad about how you were wasting time and didn't do anything fun.

Me: I hadn't thought about that. But how I have fun with a girl I don't love?

Shisui: Ever heard of friendship? See, it's this amazing thing where two people can have fun without being in a relationship. You should try it some time.

Me: Alright I get it!

I nudged Shisui's elbow away, cleared my throat and said, "Well, you can stick around for a few minutes can't you? I mean, we haven't really done anything yet."

Shisui gave me a thumbs up.

Kara looked surprised and pleased, "O-Of course!"

"Whelp," Shisui stretched his arms in the air, "I for one, have had a good time just walking around. I've done more exercise than I ever would do on a daily basis. Catch you two later."

I looked at Shisui: Where are you going?

Shisui: You've got this. Remember what I told you when you were walking Naruko home? Just improvise.

Me: She isn't Naruko~

"Is something wrong?" Kara asked.

I shook my head, "Not at all."

'Curse Shisui! After Dad, he and I are going to have a long talk about how he bails out on me!'

(Naruko's POV)

The first thing I did when I woke up was pat the other side of the bed. Naruto was gone.

I threw the covers off of me, "Naruto?"

He was nowhere to be seen. I jumped off the bed and opened the door. At the end of the hall, light escaped from a room. I tiptoed into the hallway and did my best to close the door quietly. I walked down the hall and peeked my head into the room. It was a kitchen and Naruto was sitting on the stool, humming happily next to Yashamaru.

I stepped into the room, "What's happening?"

"Oh, Naruko-san!" Yashamaru hugged me, "You looked so engrossed in sleep that I didn't want to wake you."

Naruto handed me a small mirror and I looked at my reflection. My hair was standing up on all ends. I looked like I had been shocked by electricity. I quickly used my left hand and slicked my hair back.

"So Yashamaru," I leaned over his shoulder, "What are you making?"

"Just breakfast. Steamed rice, miso soup and grilled fish." Yashamaru told me.

I took some soy sauce from the top of the cabinet and poured it over the fish.

"N-Naruko-san?" Yashamaru looked at me.

I put my hand up, "Trust me. I've made this various times. It tastes delicious."

I put my hand over his and used the spatula to press the fish down on the grill. His hands were oddly sweaty. But I didn't mind. I deal with Naruto's messy hands when they've been who knows where.

"See, the key to cooking it is to make it show the grill marks. Especially if they're charcoal black. That means it's been cooked thoroughly." I told him.

"Okay." Yashamaru was sweating heavily.

"Are you okay?" I looked at him.

Yashamaru let go of the spatula and backed away, "I think I'm just a little too hot. I haven't taken a shower yet. Maybe if I cool off I'll feel better."

'He's acting really weird.' I thought to myself.

"Alright, I'll finish up." I grabbed another apron.

Yashamaru left the kitchen and I switched off the rice. It was cooked enough. Then I added a little bit of flavoring to the soup and covered the pot. It was just the fish that were left. I covered the rest of them in soy sauce and grilled them to perfection. Naruto sat happily at the table. I decided to engage in conversation.

"Why are you so happy?" I wanted to know.

"Gaara is one of my new friends." Naruto smiled.

"But don't you have Sasuke and~"

'Don't freeze up Naruko! Say his name. It's not like it'll do anything.' I told myself.

"Don't you have Sasuke and Itachi?"

"Don't forget Shisui." Naruto reminded me.

"My point exactly. I'm not saying that you should get new friends, I just don't get why you're so excited." I told him truthfully.

"How do I explain it?" Naruto looked up, "Sasuke's cool and all. But he doesn't understand what it's like to be lonely."

"You're lonely?" This shocked me.

'What am I? A potato?'

Naruto seemed to read my mind, "Now that you're here I'm not lonely. I'm talking about before when no one would talk to me. I had no friends. Gaara's been feeling the same way. That's why, I want to spend a lot of time with him. Nee-chan, you made me happy! I can do the same for Gaara."

I ruffled his hair, "You're only 6 and yet you sound like an old man. Don't grow up too fast, Naruto."

(Itachi's POV)

I walked down the streets of Konoha with Kara by my side. We hadn't really spoke in the past ten minutes.

'Think! What's a good way to start a conversation?' I racked my brain trying to remember, 'If she was Naruko, we could go into the different types of food there are around the world and~! I THOUGHT OF HER AGAIN! GET HER OUT OF YOUR MIND!'

Then it came to me, "Hey Kara."

She looked up, "Yes?"

"Well I was just wondering, why do you want to marry me?" I asked.

She didn't seem like she wanted to answer. Her eyes were all over the place.

'It's probably because we're in public.' I realized.

I grabbed Kara's hand, "Let's go somewhere private."

Kara's face turned tomato red, but she followed me anyways. We ended up sitting down at an empty restaurant. The cashier there said it was fine.

"So, will you tell me why you want to marry me?" I asked Kara.

Kara squeezed her hands tightly together, "Well that's because I..." Her voice faded.

"What?" I cupped my hand to my ear.

"I like you." Kara looked away.

'This is awkward.' I put my hand behind my head.

"But, you know I like another person right?" I told Kara.

She nodded her head, "I know. And whenever I think of her I get so angry I can't function."

"You wouldn't try to do anything to her, right?" I was worried about Naruko.

Kara waved her hand, "Never. But when I see you, Itachi-sama, stressing over another girl I can't help but feel jealous."

'That is love.' I couldn't help but feel bad.

"Kara I`"

Her watch beeped, "I've got to go. The mission!"

"Wait! Let me come with you!" I begged.

"W-What?" Kara wasn't ready for that.

"I want to help you. We still have to talk." I stood up.

Kara scratched her cheek, "I guess. Come on!"

(Naruto's POV)

"Nee-chan that breakfast was delicious!" I told her.

She smiled, "I'm glad you thought so."

"I agree," Gaara's Dad walked into the room, "Thought it's a little embarrassing having a guest cook for us."

Nee-chan finished washing the plates, "Staying here was not in the initial plan so I'm happy to help!"

I drummed my fingers on the table. Gaara was still sleeping.

(Naruko's POV)

'Naruto seems really bored now that Gaara isn't awake. Maybe I should talk to him.' I wondered.

"Again," Rasa spoke, "I really can't thank you enough for getting Gaara to sleep."

I sat down on their sofa, "It's nothing, seriously. I would have done the same if it was Naruto or anyone in the Leaf."

I turned to face him, "Speaking of which, if we head out now do you think we'll get there by midnight or tomorrow morning?"

"Do you have to leave so soon?" Karura walked into the living room.

I nodded my head, "I have to report to the Sandaime. He might be getting worried."

"I could send him a letter," Rasa suggested, "Express delivery. He'd get in two hours."

"Well..." I looked from Rasa's anxious face to Karura's worried smile, "Okay. I guess it wouldn't hurt to stay another day."

"Excellent!" Karura sat next to me, "I can have Yashamaru give you a tour around the village."

"That would be pretty cool. I haven't really done any exploring since I got here." I admitted.

Naruto exhaled loudly

'Can't forget him.' I smiled in my head.

"Can Naruto come along?" I asked.

"Well," Rasa looked at him, "If he wants to it's fine. But I was thinking that Temari and Kankuro would take him to the playground. You know, let him interact with others."

"It's your call Naruto," I looked at him, "Playground or tour?"

"Playground!" Naruto put his hands up in the air.

"Playground it is," I repeated his answer, "When can Yashamaru take me out on the tour?"

"Right now." Yashamaru stepped into the room with a towel draped around his shoulders. He dried his hair as he walked over to me, "Are you ready?"

"Definitely. Let's go!" I got up. Yashamaru pulled on his sandals, "See you later Kara, Rasa, Naruto!"

I grabbed his hand, "Let's go! This is going to be fun!"

(Shisui's POV)

'Hm? Itachi's on the move...with Kara?!' I couldn't believe my eyes.

Even though I had made it look like I had left them alone, I was actually following them the entire time.

'Where are they going?' That was a silly question.

I hopped into the Uchiha Manor, 'So they're coming back home. But why?'

Itachi and Kara went into their separate rooms.

'Well, I guess they can't be doing that. I wonder what's going on...' My curiosity was peaked.

Itachi came out of his room with this ANBU gear on. He knocked on Kara's door. After a minute, she opened it.

'This looks serious! I'd better change too!' I slipped into my room quietly.

(Itachi's POV)

I heard a door click close but when I looked out in the hallway no one was there, 'Must've been my imagination.'

I knocked on Kara's door, "Are you ready?"

"Just a minute." Kara answered.

I leaned against the door and sighed, 'Maybe I should just~'

The door opened and I immediately got off.

"I'm ready." Kara announced.

"Good, we're going to be a little late." I ran out of the manor.

I'm not even sure why I posted this. But then I realized there's supposed to be an epic battle in the next chapter. Or is there?