After work I called Naruko, explaining things and she promised to have a dress ready by the time I got home. Kakashi waved from the door and said, "Itachi told me to tell you to go ahead, he wanted to stop somewhere."

I nodded and hooked my arm with his. I pointed dramatically out the door, "Then to my bike!"

He glared as everyone stared, "You ruin my reputation daily."

I grinned broadly, leading him to my bike, "Firstly, it's my job. Second, what reputation?"

He glared and I laughed as he climbed up behind me, I had left my side car at home and I let out a battle cry as I gunned it. We got home, luckily in one piece since Kakashi decided to tickle me as revenge. We had nearly run into a dumpster.

I punched his shoulder as we got off and headed to the apartment, "I blame you."

He snorted, rubbing his arm and unable to hide his amusement. I shoved him at his apartment next to mine and entered mine. Naruko was waiting for me with a blue dress. I sighed heavily and she giggled, "It won't bite."

I grumbled, "It might."

She laughed as she drug me to the bedroom, helping me get dressed and presentable.

0o0o0o0o0o

Itachi knocked on Ariana's door, early despite the extra stop he had made before going home, showering and changing. He wasn't surprised when Naruko opened the door, she smiled the bright as daylight smile both Uzumaki's made, "Hey Sir, Ariana is almost ready."

She glanced at his hand and smiled knowingly. His glare told her to say nothing, which only made her smile wider. He rolled his eyes and walked in. Naruko called, "Ariana! Itachi's here!"

He set his gift on the table as the bedroom door opened and it took all his will power for his jaw not to drop. But he was an Uchiha, and Uchiha jaws didn't drop. It was in the Uchiha rule book.

Ariana walked up to him, shy smile in place. She paused and waited for him to say something. It was obvious Naruko had made the dress. It was baby blue, strapless and at her waist was a white band that tipped downward into a point. On the right bottom corner of the skirt part, there was an intricate of swirls like vines. Ariana wore her locket at the base of her throat on a shorter chain.

Naruko had somehow gotten Ariana's hair to fall gracefully in waves at her back. All in all, Ariana looked beautiful.

0o0o0o0o0o00o0o0o

I gazed at Itachi as he gazed at me. He wore an expensive midnight black Armani suit with a white silk shirt and a black tie. On his feet was black dress shoes. I caught the sight of the chain connected to his locket and smiled softly. My smile seemed to snap him out of staring and he smiled, "You look beautiful."

I blushed and smiled shyly, "Thank you." I waved my hand at his attire, "You look hot."

He smirked and then his eyes caught sight of my bare feet. He raised an eyebrow, "Why are you bare foot? You plan to go like that?"

Naruko broke in before I could answer, "Because she refused to wear the shoes I got for her!"

She held up a pair of blue high heels, the heels at least two inches tall. I glared hatefully at them, "Naruko, I'm bad enough with flat feet. You put me in those, I'll bring the whole building down. And break an ankle or leg while I'm at it."

She huffed and went over to her bag, "Well luckily I prepared for this."

She tugged out a new pair of shoes. They looked kind of like slippers, with sparkles around the openings and the same swirls on the top as the dress. She held them out with a thin pair of socks. I smiled thanks, sat in a chair and slipped them on. I stood and spun expertly, "Perfect! Your a genius!"

She waved off my words, "I know. Now you kids have fun."

She walked out and I noticed the bouquet of red roses on the table. Itachi saw my look and picked them up. He bowed gracefully and held them out to me, "For you, my lovely Baka."

I giggled and took them, smelling them, "Why thank you Meathead. Let me put these in a vase and we can go."

I took the bouquet of roses to the kitchen and quickly did so before hurrying back to him. He held out his hand and I took it, twining my fingers with his. Before we even got to the door Naruko burst through it, camera in hand.

She took a picture before we could move and squealed, "So cute!" and disappeared.

I laughed and Itachi shook his head. We headed down the stairs and got in his car. It was a quick drive to the place and I was both nervous and excited. Hardly able to wait to see Jiraiya, and dance with Itachi!

0o0o0o0o0o

Jiraiya sipped at his champagne, as he waited near the door for Itachi and his dear niece to arrive. Konan had briefed him on Chiyo's activities. Apparently she had met with a dangerous man called Mizuki, but they still didn't know why.

He ground his teeth in worry and blinked as Tsunade joined him. She said gently, "Worrying yourself silly isn't going to help anything."

He took a deep breath and let it out, "Your right."

He had already explained things to Tsunade. And she was keeping an eye out for trouble as well. He looked behind her and smiled. She raised an eyebrow, "Why are you looking so pleased?"

He grinned wider, spotting the two coming up, "You'll see."

She scowled at him but then her eyes widened in shock as she turned and Itachi and Ariana walked up. Itachi was smiling! And Ariana was in a beautiful dress and not scowling because she had to wear one!

Ariana spotted them and waved with a smile. Itachi's smiled disappeared but the joy didn't leave his eyes. Jiraiya gently embraced his niece and said proudly, "You look beautiful."

She blushed and he let her go to shake hands with Itachi and for her to hug Tsunade.

0o0o0o0o0o

Tsunade smiled down at me, "You do look good. Both of you."

Her eyes twinkled and I blushed brightly as I let her go, "Yeah well, at least I didn't have to wear heels."

Jiraiya cackled loudly, ignoring my glare, "You are deadly in heels. I remember when I took you to a dance for a charity."

He moved so that I couldn't smash my heel into his foot, "Konan forced her into heels and she literally CRASHED the party. Knocked over everyone trying to stay upright, somehow dumped punch on the DJ and caused a fire. Luckily she didn't break an ankle before she yanked the shoes off, threw them down and snapped, 'I'm out of here!' and left. She has never worn heels again."

I flicked his arm and warned, "If you keep telling stories I'm telling Tsunade about the time with that pond and that frog."

He clapped a hand over my mouth and I smirked through it. He sighed in defeat, "Fine. We'll leave you two love birds alone."

Tsunade winked at me and I knew she wouldn't let Jiraiya alone until she heard the story. I waved happily as they left and Itachi took my hand, "Shall we dance?"

I smiled brightly and he pulled me onto the dance floor.

0o0o0o0o0o0o0

Chiyo was in the corner, peacefully sipping her tea as she spotted her great niece with that damn Uchiha. But knowing that her problems would soon be over, she smiled happily. All she had to do was get Ariana outside.

Jiraiya's eyes narrowed from across the room at Chiyo. Then he full out glared as she stood and went up to Itachi as Ariana quickly went to the bathroom.

Itachi spotted the elder women coming up and full out glared at her. She paused in front of him and hid a shiver, "No need to glare boy. I don't bite. I see your still with that worthless niece of mine."

He said coldly, fury unchecked as he glared, "You best leave before I do something to you that would cause trouble for Jiraiya. Personally I don't think Ariana would care if you dropped dead."

Chiyo involuntary stepped back and growled back the best she could, "You watch your mouth! I am Jiraiya's AUNT! You can't speak to me like that!"

An even colder voice behind her said, "If he can't, then I can."

She spun, nearly toppling over, to glare at her niece, "Ah the bitch returns."

I moved over to Itachi's side, and snarled, "And back from hell I see. Tell me who was on top, you or the devil? Your both evil enough."

She gaped in outrage, Itachi snickered and took my arm, "Come, lets go get some fresh air."

I turned my back on the hateful witch and let him lead me out to the balcony. I took a deep breath of the fresh air and sighed, "Ah, it feels good out here."

Itachi closed the door, glancing to make sure no one else was out here. Jiraiya had called him and told him of the possible threat to Ariana. He explained to her and she had told him she had no vision of anything happening. But still, he was cautious.

He came up beside me and touched my shoulder, "You alright?"

I couldn't help but smile at his protectiveness and turned, hugging him tightly, "Yes, thanks to you. I was about to slug her."

He chuckled, hugging me back just as tightly, "I know. But I'm sure Jiraiya wouldn't like that."

I snorted, "You never know. He might thank me if she had a stroke."

He chuckled and I pulled back to smile at him. We stared deep into each others eyes and I felt the urge to say what I had been wanting to say forever and now could. I took a deep breath and said sincerely, "I love you Itachi."

His eyes widened and I continued, "I love you and only you. I only want you to be mine and I don't ever want to leave you. I won't let anyone else have you."

His crooked smile appeared and he leaned in close, "And I love you Ariana. Your the most important person to me. Your my everything, and I will never let you go."

0o0o0o0o0o

Itachi pulled the smaller body of the women he loved close to him and her small arms wrapped around him. He felt her smiling and could see it as he looked down. He closed his eyes and held her close, not wanting this moment to end.

Neather of them saw the figure dressed in black, hiding in the shadows until Ariana jerked with a scream, knife buried into her back. Itachi caught her as she collapsed and couldn't move as a second knife plunged for his head.