Part Two

"You're only 17," Kakashi half carried the drunk Ria out of the bar, "You can't drink."

She fell against his chest her arms around him, his heart-beat madly, even now, even after all these years, she was the only one who could do that to him, "Don't you ever want to break the rules sometimes?"

"Not the law," he picked her up, it was easier than having to drag her, she put her arms around his neck snuggling up against him, making the blood rush to his skin.

"Do you ever wonder, if there is more to life than being a shinobi?" she asked as she walked away from the bar, he had no idea where he was taking her.

"What do you mean?"

"I mean do you ever think there is more to life than fighting, worrying, pain, losing people," he looked at her sharply,

"You're still hurting?"

"I'm always hurting," she replied simply, "It hurts being alone, it hurts seeing Itachi be forced into this world, to see my baby brother have to become like this too. There is just no choice, and it hurts. I haven't ever had any, so I guess whenever I do what I want, I'm breaking the rules and it became a habit. I want some choice, even a little," she motioned with her fingers, her words slurring, "I would like to choose to fall in love, to get married and be happy, to have children who can choose their own path and not have the pressures that I get. But that's not going to happen, not for me, I can't even give my brothers that choice how will I ever manage it for me? I don't deserve it."

"You do deserve it, you deserve to love and be loved, you deserve to be happy with whoever you choose," he said to her softly.

She smiled, "You're a good person Kakashi, I can see why as much as Obito hated you he respected you."

"Do you hate me?" he stuttered.

She closed her eyes, "No, I don't hate anyone."

"Do you like me?" he mumbled.

She giggled, "I think you're cute."

He reddened, "You do?"

She burst into more giggles, they were infectious and made him smile, he had never seen Ria so carefree, "I think I'm really, really drunk if Daddy sees me I'm so dead."

"We can do something about that," he headed off towards his apartment, "You can sleep this off at my place, just say you crashed at a friend or was busy training, or whatever lie you always make when you don't return home at night."

She laughed, "I usually just crash by the memorial rock."

"I know, but I think my place will be a little more comfortable, for you, especially with the hangover you are definitely going to have in the morning," he smiled.

"Aren't your neighbors going to be suspicious to see you carrying a girl home?" she mocked fake shock, "Kakashi Hatake has a girl in his room, at night!"

He chuckled, "I'm in the ANBU Ria, I know how to be covert."

She sniggered leaning up she whispered in his ear, "You take many drunk girls to your room?"

He reddened, "You'd be the first."

"I better be the only one, I get really selfish and jealous over things like this," she closed her eyes leaning against his chest, "You smell so nice," she mumbled doing nothing to help the increasing rate of his heart and that dark blush.

Kakashi leaned against his wall as he brushed his teeth, Ria was finally waking up, he sniggered when she sat up, groaning, her hair was a mess, she looked a mess, he had never seen Ria look like that. Tangled, blotchy and still half asleep, she grumbled, grabbed a pillow and threw it at him, "Shut up, my head hurts."

"Of course it does," he chuckled, "You drank like 3 bottles of sake."

"Your voice is so loud, I'm going be sick," she fell out of his bed and ran to his bathroom to throw up. He began busying himself, he had nowhere particular to be, his eyes widened when he heard her turn on the shower, she was naked only meters away from him, it made his heart pound. "You still have your Jonin gear from before?" she asked wrapped in his towel and wearing just her underwear.

"Uh yeah," he choked, not knowing where to look, "Why?" he gestured at his wardrobe, she didn't notice his reaction as she headed over, "Sweet," she grinned, "My clothes all smell like sake," she went through his things, found his old uniform and put it on, not batting an eyelid that she was semi-naked in front of Kakashi who quickly turned around squeaking. "You got a spare forehead protector, I can't remember where I put mine," she scratched her head thinking, "Oh yeah, I put it on Sasuke."

"You put your forehead protector on your brother?" he kept his back to her as he looked in his drawer to find his spare one.

"Well yeah, he's three. He was playing with my hair so I put it on him," she shrugged as if it was nothing, "He, Itachi and Shisui are the most precious people to me, whatever they want I can't help but give and he wanted to wear it."

"Here's my spare," he outstretched his hand to her, she turned her back as she put on fingerless gloves you mind tying it on, trembling he gave in and tied it on, his whole body was completely zoned in on hers, she was so close. She leaned her head back so she could see him from beneath, "Thanks," she grinned, "I gotta go, I have a meeting so bye," with that she disappeared wearing 90% of his things. It made his heart jump and electricity flood through his body. Why did she make him feel so much?

He saw her sitting in Ichiraku Ramen, she was still wearing his old jumper and forehead protector, it was clear she hadn't gone home, he went over and sat beside her, he didn't know why it made him so tingly to see her wearing his clothes. "Wow," he breathed seeing the redness of her eyes, "Still hungover?"

"I don't know what you mean," she muttered darkly, "I feel great."

"You haven't gone home yet?" he asked ordering himself some ramen.

She shook her head, "Just been handed 3 new Gennin," she pointed at the file in front of her, "But I'll probably just fail them, they aren't ready for this."

"Why do you think that?" he took the file and read it.

"They are too young," she focused on her ramen.

"You and I were both younger," he pointed out.

"I never really had a childhood, so I don't want to take someone else's when they are ready they'll move up, but for now they should focus on honing the basics. Anyway, I'd really like to teach my little brother."

"Itachi?" Kakashi frowned, "He's in the ANBU."

"No," she shook her head, "My youngest brother, Sasuke. He's just 4 right now, but when he graduates from the Academy I'm going to ask to be his Jonin, if I don't have a team by then."

"I thought you didn't want a violent relationship with your siblings," he remembered the first time he met Itachi and when Gai asked about his training.

There was a little sadness in her eyes, "I know, but by not training Itachi I couldn't protect him properly, I want to show Sasuke that there is more to life than being a ninja, that violence isn't his only option. I want him to be happy."

"You'll make a great sensei," he said softly, she glanced up at him, surprised by his words,

"You think so?"

Before he could respond two boys jumped out, "Rizzie!" they shouted.

She cringed and covered her ears as they hugged her, "Don't shout."

"Are you drunk?" Shisui crossed his arms narrowing his eyes.

"No," she shook her head, "I'm tired," she covered her face in her arms resting against the table, "And you're so loud."

"That's not your uniform," Itachi picked at her sleeve, Kakashi looked away not wanting to get involved, this could get awkward.

"That's a mans-size," Shisui gasped leaning in.

"And you didn't come home last night," Itachi pointed out.

Shisui covered his mouth his eyes wide, "Do you have a boyfriend?"

Ria grabbed hold of them both covering their mouths and pulling them on her lap, "Stop talking, my head hurts. And you both sound like two old women, gossiping and second-guessing. It was a busy night, I actually do work you know, I didn't have enough time to go home and get changed so I borrowed a uniform off of a friend. Now please shut up."

"Is that friend a boyfriend?" Shisui sniggered his voice muffled by her hand over his mouth.

"I don't need a boyfriend," she kissed his and Itachi's cheek making them both giggle, "I have an annoying cousin and an even more annoying brother to love instead."

Kakashi went over and teased the bottle out of Ria's hand she frowned watching him, "Please, for me, stop drinking."

She moaned, "But drinking helps me calm down, there is just too much in my head."

"But drinking is just hurting you, you're underage as well, and I don't like seeing you like that, please it hurts," his voice was soft, he was so close to her.

"I don't know what to do, nothing else works," she mumbled, "I'm so lonely."

"You have me," he whispered to her.

She lowered her eyes to her leg, where his hand was holding her thigh, he looked down and squeaked, going red, "I'm so sorry, I didn't…" she grabbed his wrist and took off his glove, he had no idea what was happening, she put his bare hand on her leg, her hand over his, he panicked, "What are you…?"

"It feels nice," she mumbled, "It doesn't hurt."

"I would never hurt you," he was sad to hear she thought she would feel pain.

"No," she looked up, her eyes on him, "When I'm with you, my head doesn't hurt," he reached out and brushed her hair from her face, it was such a sweet gesture, she smiled, "That feels nice too."

"Are you drunk?" he asked curiously.

She shook her head, "No."

"Will you stop?" he kept his hand on her cheek, the other still kept down on her leg, her skin was so smooth.

"On one condition," she leaned in closer to him, he was surprised by the cheekiness evident in her eyes, "I want to know what a kiss feels like, so kiss me and I'll stop."

"What?" he squeaked.

"Oh come on," she grinned, "Don't be shy."

"Are you sure you aren't drunk?" he asked, trembling a little.

"Definitely not, I promise," her eyes sparkled, "I won't do anything stupid like fall in love with you, I just want to know what it feels like."

"You've never been kissed?" he was stunned by that revelation, she was the most beautiful person he knew, there were so many boys and men throughout the village who lusted after her.

She shook her head, "Have you?"

He shook his head, she smiled and moved closer to move him and gently lowered his mask, he was too afraid to move, he had never felt fear like this, his body shutting down, "Too slow," she whispered before kissing him. That's when it hit him, it wasn't fear he was feeling, it was the opposite, it was excitement.

She giggled when they broke apart, but didn't move away from him, her eyes locked on his, he was breathless, then he frowned, "Wait, why would it be stupid to fall in love with me?"

She grinned, "Well you are Stupid Kakashi."

"Why do you keep calling me stupid? I'm not exactly…"

Ria interrupted, "Talking and not kissing me back is pretty stupid I think."

He blushed deeply, "You want to do it again…" he barely finished his sentence when she kissed him again, she stopped pulling back all of a sudden,

"Wait…does this make you uncomfortable, have I crossed…" this time Kakashi kissed her, crushing her towards him it was so much more than their previous attempts, this one flooded a sensation in Ria that she never thought she would ever feel. They both breathed heavily keeping close, their noses brushing against one another's she had a blush cover her neck and her cheeks, "Don't stop," she mumbled letting him kiss her again with even more passion than before, her hands going into his hair everything was new, everything was exciting and everything they did was addictive.

"You have the Mangekyo Sharingan?" Kakashi was surprised as he saw Ria's eyes.

She crossed her legs sitting beside him wearing only her Jonin jumper, she nodded, "Since I was 4."

"Don't you have to have killed your best friend to activate it?" he asked her, he didn't know who Ria could possibly have killed by the age of 4 to have activated it.

"Not really, I just saw my best friend die," she mumbled.

"Who?"

She blushed, "Daddy and I didn't always have a bad relationship. We used to be very close," she smiled sadly, "I was his princess, we used to play all the time, we used to be happy. One day I found this little puppy, it was beautiful and tiny and I loved it, I love dogs," her eyes sparkled surprising him further, he didn't know this about her, "I named him Gray, he was everything to me, he was so weak so I fed him and looked after him. All the other Uchiha weren't too happy about it because we are meant to be linked to the ninja cats but I'm allergic."

"You're allergic to cats?" Kakashi stared at her.

She giggled, "Yeah. The Clan was so convinced I wasn't an Uchiha because I didn't have any of the usual traits, I didn't have my Sharingan then, Dad didn't care, he loved me just the way I was. Obito used to help me out with Gray," sadness filled her eyes, "Gray was my best friend. Then one day my Uncles took my puppy away from me, Dad did nothing to stop them, I still don't know why they did it, they kept Obito back as they killed Gray."

"They killed your dog?" he gasped.

She nodded, "In front of me, I got so angry, so angry and my eyes changed, I jumped right into Mangekyo Sharingan, I nearly killed them all but that was when Dad hit me, it was the first time. After that day I wasn't his princess anymore, I could do nothing to make him happy, every act I committed was a grave insult. At least it proved that I was an Uchiha. I spent years training under their regime, it wasn't long before I became better at it than them, I wouldn't let people hurt me, but Daddy…I still love him, I still hope that one day he'll go back to being my Dad and not someone who hates me," a tear fell from her eyes making her laugh, she rubbed it away, "Why am I always crying around you? I'm not such a loser."

He leaned over and kissed her, "I don't think you're a loser, I like that you feel comfortable around me. And I have something you might like," he bit his thumb and conducted the summoning jitsu, she frowned confused as to what he was summoning just then his ninja hounds appeared, her eyes brightened immediately.

"What do you need Boss?" Pakkun yapped.

"I wanted Ria to meet you guys, Ria these are my boys," he introduced them.

They looked at her, waiting for her reaction, she smiled and breathed, "You're all so beautiful," her words made them blush, the way she looked at them, the respect and adoration she had, greatly affected them.

Ria returned angrily back to the ryokan, she got dressed back into her usual cheongsam taking the yukata off, she grabbed her bag and left. Kakashi caught up with her, "Hey, hey, where are you going?"

She scowled turning away from him, "You're embarrassed to be seen with me."

"What?" he squeaked.

"You left me there when you saw Jiraiya!" she tensed her jaw, "I embarrass you," she was really hurt by it.

"What are we Ria?" he asked her, there was sadness in his eyes, his voice soft, "What are we to each other?"

Her shoulders slumped her eyes lowered, "I don't know."

"Neither do I," he replied, "So how am I supposed to explain what we are doing together?"

She turned around and faced him, "You can say we are friends, aren't we?"

"No one would ever believe we were friends, do you really want people to talk, for it to get to your Dad? You know how much he hates me."

She shook her head, not knowing what else to say, "Why is it so difficult to have a holiday? I don't want to have to hide every time we see someone we know."

He had come closer so was standing right in front of her, "I know," he said gently, "I feel the same," she looked up watching him with that innocence in her eyes, "Maybe joining in public festivals isn't for us, maybe we could do something different."

"What?" she was confused as to what he was referring to.

He smiled took her hand in his, "Come on, I'll show you."

They stopped at a secluded cliff face where Kakashi and her erected a tent and a fire, her eyes lit up, "Camping?"

He grinned rubbing his neck, "I know not exactly the luxury of an onsen, but at least we have some privacy."

"I love camping," she grinned forgetting the anger she had felt earlier in an instance, "When I was little really little Dad and I used to camp in our back garden so we could see the stars at night. Then me and Obito used to go together till he…" she couldn't finish the sentence her eyes on the fire, "When Itachi was little he and Shisui they used to crawl into my bed, they still do if I'm home and we'd make a little tent and play games till we fell asleep. Even now, the tradition carries on with Sasuke, he's scared of lightning…"

"So that's why you are never around when there's a storm," Kakashi sat beside her she nodded,

"I don't like it when he's scared, he's my baby brother, he's very special to me, all my brothers are."

"They are very lucky to have you," Kakashi smiled, his eyes on her.

She shook her head, "No, I'm lucky to have them. I think if my parents didn't have Itachi or Sasuke, even if Shisui wasn't born if I didn't have my brothers, I'd have left the village a long time ago."

"Why?" he was hurt at the thought.

"The shinobi life of violence and hate doesn't fulfill me, I don't get pleasure from the pain of others, regardless of the reason. Don't get me wrong, I love the village and the people in it, but to deal with the hate and darkness on a daily basis without my brothers is a step too far for me. I live to see them be happy, I fight so they won't have too, of course it's valiant to fight to protect those you love, your home, but we live in the world of war of fear and destruction. It's senseless. I know it's sad but I feel like its hopeless, but whenever I look at my brothers I think they will find a way to change this, they will find a way to heal the world, not break it. I can't wait for that to happen, and for that reason, for my brothers, I will always stay beside them, they will fight the curse that binds us all."

"Why don't you fight it?" he asked her, "Why do you think you can't?"

She smiled sadly, "I can't even fight the hate my father has for me, how am I ever supposed to fight anyone else's?"

The Academy was abuzz, it was a very special week, they were going to be taught a series of undercover lessons. The young boys were fixated on one of the female teachers, Ria, she was just so beautiful it was hard to look anywhere else. Despite being an active Jonin she was roped in to help out, she had undertaken many lessons only for kunoichi's due to being the highest-ranked kunoichi in the village. The girls were obsessed with her, she had such skill and style it filled them with bright-eyed admiration. All the boys had bought her a flower waiting for a chance to give it to her, it being Valentines Day after all. They were so struck, trembling as she and Iruka taught them the art of dancing, Iruka too found it really hard to concentrate anywhere other than at her. He couldn't believe how he lucked out to be the one who gets to dance with her. After they finished the demonstration, they turned to class asking them to pair up, as every boy jumped towards Ria, every girl aside from Hinata jumped on Sasuke. Iruka stepped in and forced people into pairs, leaving behind a dejected Naruto who felt his anger rise, he was about to run away when Ria performed a transformation jitsu making herself smaller she jumped over and landed in front of him,

"Can I dance with you?" she tilted her head innocently.

He went red staring at her, "You'll dance with me?"

"Sure, come on, let's show everyone how it's supposed to be done," she grinned taking his hand, he was so in shock, his eyes filling with tears as someone noticed him, someone older didn't hate him or push him away. He smiled brightly at the glares he was getting from everyone, they were all jealous. When they finished Ria returned to her normal state taking her place next to Iruka as everyone sat back at their desks, Shikamaru put his hand up lazily, "What was the point of that? Why learn to dance?"

Ria answered, "Your lives are about more than just becoming a ninja, never forget that you are all individuals with hopes and dreams, a future, to focus solely on one thing is ridiculous. You need to seek more in life, experience more than just violence and fighting. Some of us love to play shoji, other's read, we all have our vices. Anyway being able to dance will help all you boys to woo any girl, trust me a boy who can dance is leagues ahead one who can't," that made them all blush and the girls giggle.

Iruka stuttered, "And don't forget, it's a tool that can be used during undercover missions. Some of you may join the ANBU, or become a Jonin where this skill may be necessary."

After the lesson, Naruto gripped hold of a flower he had picked from the playground, he wanted to give it to Ria. He found her sitting on the floor in the corridor, sitting in between her legs, his back against her chest was Sasuke, Naruto ducked and hid behind a wall watching the two of them. Ria was going through a folder whilst he played with her hair, "What are you doing?" he asked her.

"Going through the Gennin list."

"I thought you said you'd train me," he moaned.

She smiled, "I'm definitely training you, but I still have to go through procedures. Don't worry, you are all mine," she hugged him making him giggle, "And what are you doing with my hair?" she looked down at him.

He grinned, tangling his fingers in her strands, "Your hair always smells so good. It feels so nice."

"You're so weird," she muttered, "Come on little man, I'm all done, let's go bother the Hokage," she picked up Sasuke and put him on her back as they left. Naruto stared at the floor, of course this woman would be like the others, she would only ever care about someone like Sasuke, he was nothing. He ended up stumbling into the two as they ordered ice cream, he walked right into Ria's legs,

"Oh sorry," he muttered, staring at the ground.

"Hey Naruto," Ria knelt down facing him, he looked up reddening.

"You remember me?" he was surprised, Sasuke scowled from beside Ria, he had a tall ice cream in his hand.

"Of course I remember you, you're the cutest dance partner I've ever had," she grinned, she had two ice creams, in her hand, she bit one and passed the other to him, "You want it, I got too greedy."

"It's for me? Are you sure?" he asked her in shock.

"Of course, if you don't take it I'm going to have to eat it," she smiled and put it in his hand, his eyes welled up,

"Why don't you hate me?"

She frowned tilting her head, "And why would I want to do something as stupid as that," she ruffled his hair.

"You don't look at me like everyone else, they have so much hate in their eyes…" he began, she interrupted by kissing his forehead, it made him choke up, he had never felt such tenderness, it warmed his whole body up.

"Look Naruto, you can't dictate what people feel, the only thing you can do is be you, the best you and prove to them all that they are wrong about you. You want to be Hokage?" he nodded fervently, "Then become Hokage, don't let anyone ever tell you, you can't, because the only thing in your way is you. Just smile, and believe in yourself, stop caring about insignificant things like the thoughts of other people."

"You think I could become Hokage?" he stuttered.

She nodded, "Of course, if you really want something fight for it."

"Come on Ria," Sasuke tugged on her hem, "Let's go you said we were going to get some ninja tools."

"Fine, fine, you're so bossy Sasuke, you want to join us Naruto?" she asked him making his eyes sparkle.

"Yes," he couldn't believe it, not only had he been given an ice cream, he was getting the opportunity to spend time with this beautiful Jonin. Sasuke pouted but soon gave in when Ria threw him on to her shoulders and took Naruto's hand as they headed to the shop, both boys had so much fun with her as she taught them all about the weapons in the store, usually Naruto would be thrown out in an instant, but this time, being escorted by Ria, they were nice to him. After they had fun buying tools Ria treated the two of them to dinner before taking Naruto home and leaving with Sasuke. For the first time in his life, he went to bed happy.

"What time is it?" Ria mumbled snuggling up against Kakashi, her eyes still closed, her arm resting against his chest. He smiled, running a hand through her hair,

"It's 6," he replied, "You have somewhere to be?"

She sat up, her eyes sparkling, "Today's finally come," she jumped out of bed, and pulled on her clothes.

"What's so special about today?" he watched her, she rarely woke up early and never that happy, she was definitely the lazy type.

"It's Mum and Dad's anniversary and Dad's taking Mum away for the weekend and they said I can look after the boys so I'm taking them out camping, no weapons, no violence, just family."

"A little holiday?" Kakashi confirmed.

"Yes," her eyes were so bright, "We are going to have so much fun. I'll see you when you get back from your mission," she got up and kissed him before leaving.

Kakashi frowned when Itachi dropped by on another branch, they were having a break before they returned home, "Weren't you supposed to go camping with your sister?"

Itachi was surprised that Kakashi was talking to him, "How do you know about that?"

"She mentioned it, she was really excited about going, what happened?"

Itachi was silent for a moment, playing with his kunei, "She was born an Uchiha," he answered, before he could say anymore both of them jumped up, they heard it, it caused them so much pain, without saying a word to their other teammates they ran.

Fugaku was sitting down getting ready to drink some green tea, his anniversary break ruined, he took one sip before the cup fell from his hands, that scream, it was hers, "Ria," he jumped up, not saying a word to his clueless wife as he ran towards that sound. She called for him, it was chilling, every muscle in his body ripped, he stumbled gripping tight the doorframe of the Uchiha Clan Secret Meeting Place, his daughter, his little girl had her clothes ripped, left in a bloody mess in the corner of the room. She was violently shaking, her hands, her eyes had been sealed shut, she could no longer speak, his heart broke, he ran towards her and picked her up into his arms, he could tell she was struggling but couldn't break the seal preventing her from protecting herself. He carried her out, "You're safe Princess, you're safe."

Kakashi and Itachi were on the edge of the forest, their eyes wide in shock as they saw him carry Ria out of the building, it was clear from her state what had happened to her. Anger filled Kakashi, his protective instinct took over her hurried forward to Fugaku,

"We need to remove the Seal before it drains all her chakra," Fugaku was surprised to see him.

"You know this Seal?" Fugaku stared at him.

Kakashi nodded, "It's like the 9 Tails Sealing Jitsu, but that keeps the 9 Tails Chakra sealed, this is sealing hers she could die if we don't remove it quickly, please put her down, we are going to need both our chakra to unseal this."

He nodded and painfully lay Ria down, following Kakashi's movements and orders the two of them unsealed Ria, when her eyes finally opened there was so much fear in them, she let out a scream her shaking hadn't subsided a bit. Fugaku reached out to touch her, her reaction was to flinch, making him pause, then her lip trembled she fell into his arms holding him tightly, "Daddy, Daddy," she cried.

Ria finally opened her eyes, late in the evening, she was attached to so many wires, an oxygen mask on her face, the first thing she saw was Itachi, she touched his hand making him jump, he held on to her tightly,

"Don't ever scare me like that," he warned her, his eyes filling with tears.

Her lip trembled, she hated seeing him in pain, she looked about seeing Shisui fast asleep beside her but no one else, Itachi realized who she was looking for, "Dad made him leave but don't worry, he's sitting on the roof, he promised you he wouldn't go," he had no idea why Ria felt safer with Kakashi then at home, but chose not to question it, she had been through so much already.

"Itachi," a soft voice came, it was their mother, "Take Shisui and Sasuke back home, Ria needs rest."

"But…" he began he didn't want to let go of his sister, the look in his mothers eyes said enough, he nodded and went over kicking Shisui awake who jumped up panicking his kunei out, "We got to go home, come on."

"But…" Shisui stopped halfway when he saw Mikoto, he lowered his head and followed Itachi out.

Mikoto was silent for a moment then went over to Ria, taking a deep breath as she began to sort things out, trying to keep herself from thinking too much, Ria watched her, finally she looked at her daughter, reaching out she brushed a hair from her face, "I know what a miscarriage looks like Ria."

Ria was silent her eyes still on her mother, she couldn't speak, a tear slipped from her eyes, falling across her cheek, Mikoto tensed her jaw, blinking back her own tears, she took a deep breath, "Please tell me you weren't hurt before, please tell me it was your choice…" her voice broke as Ria nodded bursting into tears, Mikoto hugged her tightly soothing her daughter,

"Don't tell Daddy," her voice was raspy and muffled from the oxygen mask.

"I won't, I won't, I love you," she held her closely not wanting to let go of her.

The tears streamed freely, her body trembling, "I lost it, I lost it," her heart rate racketed, Mikoto tried her best to calm Ria down but she was inconsolable she suddenly began having a seizure, all the monitors going crazy,

"Ria," Mikoto shrieked as doctors and Fugaku ran in, both frantic parents were pushed out of the room so they could resuscitate her, luckily her heart began beating again but to prevent another seizure they put Ria under a medically induced coma. It was painful for the whole family to see Ria in such a condition, to know what she went through, only Mikoto and Kakashi knew the extent of it. He slipped in late one night, not once despite the ranging weather did he leave the rooftop, he promised Ria he would stay beside her and that was exactly what he was going to do. He stood next to her hospital bed, she was still in her coma but was breathing unassisted, it was a good sign, his hand found hers, seeing her in this way was unbearable for him. A tear fell from his eye on to her hand as he held it in his, "Please don't leave me," he whispered to her, his eyes were lowered, he couldn't handle the thought of losing anyone else, especially not her. To not see her smile again, to not hear her voice or touch her skin, to talk or laugh without her, it was unimaginable, he didn't want that life.

"Stupid Kakashi," Ria mumbled her eyes flickering open as she squeezed his hand gently, his eyes shot open to hers', she was awake, "I couldn't leave you even if I tried."

"You're okay?" he touched her cheek with his other hand.

She nodded her eyes on his, "Thank you," tears slipped down which he immediately brushed away, "Thank you," she whispered.

"Don't talk, just rest."

"I'm sorry," her voice broke, he stopped her by kissing her forehead,

"Just get better. I know 3 boys and a bunch of ninja hounds who can't wait to see you out of here soon."

Mikoto jumped up when she saw Ria getting ready, she had been home for 2 days and now she was dressed in her Jonin uniform, "Where do you think you're going?"

"Work," she replied simply tying on her headband.

"But you just got back from the hospital, you should be resting," she followed her calling for Fugaku,

"What's all the commotion?"

"Ria is going back to work," Mikoto pointed at her, "Tell her she can't, she has to rest."

"I've done enough resting," she pulled her shoes on knowing both her parents were watching her, everyone in the Clan was watching her, they all knew what had happened.

"She can't be well enough to go out on missions, not after…" Mikoto panicked but Fugaku stopped her putting his hand on her shoulder, she looked at him, her eyes filled with worry.

"I am an Uchiha, and Uchiha's don't sit and sulk it's pathetic," she stood up, and disappeared not saying another word.

Itachi and Shisui blocked Ria's way out of the Uchiha Quarters, their katana's out, she tilted her head, "You know that's not going to work."

"You're not going back to work," Itachi's lip trembled, Shisui nodded, "You're going to go home and you're going to stay with us and you're not going to get hurt," his eyes filled with tears, Ria walked over and knelt down to their height touching both of their cheeks,

"If you cry, I'll start crying and you know I hate being such a loser."

"I didn't protect…" he began.

She stopped him, "Look Itachi, Shisui, you can't stop any bad thing from happening. It's impossible."

"Stop being a Jonin and come home," he demanded, "Then you'll be safe."

She smiled, "I was at home when it happened, Itachi, home is where I least feel safe. I need to work, I need a purpose it's the only thing other than you two that keeps me sane. Please understand, I love you, I love this village, protecting it, protecting you is all I have, don't take that away from me. I wish things were different, I wish none of us had to do this, but this is the hand dealt to us, and I want to do this, for me, the only thing you two can do, is be happy, be my brothers and trust me."

Ria took back to back missions for months, rarely dropping by at home for a bite to eat and to have a shower before leaving again. Finally, things began to return to normal, her first night in her room, made her family relax. Soon, she could handle a whole day, a weekend, a week. She stood by the memorial rock, her head lowered, she felt Kakashi arrive beside her, she turned to look at him and her eyes widened, he smiled rubbing his neck shyly,

"What do you think?"

"You, you've transferred?" she whispered in shock.

He chuckled, "Well not exactly, I got transferred, Gai, Kurenai and Asuma kind of convinced the Third to move me back."

"You're going to be a Jonin-sensei?" she breathed her eyes sparkled.

He nodded, "Yeah, I guess so."

She jumped into his arms, hers going around his neck as her face broke out in a smile he held her close, "We can fail students together!" there was so much excitement in her voice.

That made him laugh so much as he looked down at her, "That's not exactly the job description."

"I know," she grinned, her eyes were sparkling, "You don't know how happy it makes me that you moved, that means that Shisui and Itachi can have a chance too. I can't wait to work with you," she reached up and kissed him. Kakashi blushed it was the first time Ria had kissed him since her attack, and the first time ever in open ground. Neither knew that Saratobi-Sensei and Shisui had seen them together, Shisui was the one most in shock. He couldn't believe it, his beloved older sister, was in a relationship with Kakashi Hatake, the infamous Copy Ninja?

It was another festival in the village, there was that distinct buzz that only a big party could cause. Ria was scowling as she carried a big box of paperwork, she slammed it down on the floor as she waited to pick up another parcel. Kakashi and Gai spotted her, "How come you aren't ready for the party?" Gai asked her, both of them were wearing their yukatas.

She crossed her arms pouting, unlike them she was still in her full uniform, "I would be if the stupid old man wouldn't just push off all his work on me!"

"What has he got you to do?" Kakashi asked, peering into the box.

"Grouping Gennin into teams with sensei's and organizing the next Chunin Exams, it's not like I have free time to be doing paperwork, I have missions too. He needs to decide does he want me to be a pencil pusher or an active shinobi or a teacher!" she kicked the box, "And he wants me to get him some rice cakes!"

"We'll help you out," Kakashi said softly, "You go get ready for the party, I'll get the rice cakes and later we'll go through this paperwork, neither of us has any active missions to focus on, right Gai?" he glanced at Gai who reddened as Ria looked at them both with hopeful eyes, he rubbed his neck grinning,

"Sure anything for you, Ria."

She smiled brightly and hugged him, "Thanks, I owe you both so much!" she kissed him on the cheek making him turn an even darker red, as he nearly passed out. Ria turned to Kakashi and kissed him, though dangerously close to his lips, turning his cheeks pink as well, she grinned her eyes on his, she loved that she could make him do that even after everything they had done together, "I'll find you both later, bye!" she ran off leaving them in the street watching her run away.

Sasuke slid Ria's bedroom door open just a little, he knew she was in, it was fairly rare for her to be home, but he knew how much she loved festivals that she wouldn't want to miss this one. "What do you think Sasuke?" she asked him he blushed looking at her, she was dressed in a summery yukata, the blues and whites shone brightly against her skin, she looked truly beautiful and happy.

"You look amazing," he mumbled, he too was wearing a yukata but it was untied at the front, she took his hand and pulled him in further to her room as she knelt down and began sorting out his clothes.

"What's the matter?"

He looked sad glancing at the floor, "Big brother keeps ignoring me."

"What do you mean?" she tilted her head.

"I wanted to train with him and he always says not now Sasuke, it's never the right time, he doesn't like me," his lip trembled.

"Of course he likes you Sasuke, he loves you, Itachi just gets scared teaching you jitsus," she said softly.

He frowned, "Why would he get scared?" he demanded, "He's in the ANBU a Captain, he's not scared of anything. He's like you."

"I'm scared of a lot of things, Sasuke," his eyes widened as he stared at her, she touched his cheek gently, "I'm scared of ever seeing you hurt, even when a little scratch is on you, it scares me. And I know Itachi feels the same. The thought of anything happening to you, him, Shisui, Mum or Dad, those things, those things keep me awake at night. Just give Itachi time, he's just not confident that he can safely teach, it has nothing to do with him not believing in you, or thinking you aren't ready. You're probably going to be stronger than both of us and you'll teach us cool new jitsu's."

"How do you always make everything better?" he pouted, "I wanted to be angry with Itachi."

She giggled making him blush, "Oh Sasuke brothers will always find a way to get angry at one another, but never forget whatever you two do, or say, you will always love one another and I, I will always love you," she kissed his cheek as he giggled.

"What's going on here?" Itachi asked leaning against her doorframe.

Ria rolled her eyes sighing, "You two are exactly the same, can't even dress yourselves, come here Itachi."

He reddened and shuffled in, Ria sorted out his clothes and tied his yukata on properly making him scowl, "I'm not a little kid…" she hit him on the head,

"Yes you are," she put her arms around his neck resting her chin on his shoulder, "You will always be my little brother, we are going to be like 70 and I'll still call you my little Itachi and you're my baby Sasuke, my two brothers that can't even dress themselves."

"Where am I?" Shisui jumped through her window, all ready to go, "In your little fantasy."

She grinned, "You're my brother Shisui who at least can dress himself, you are my favorite," he beamed proudly whilst Itachi and Sasuke narrowed their eyes at Ria,

"What!"

Shisui put his arm around her, "Who can blame her? You two are useless at everything."

"Hey!" they said in unison, "We aren't useless!"

Kakashi stumbled when he saw Ria standing in his little kitchen she had her back to him as she busied herself chopping up vegetables, "What are you doing?" he stuttered.

She didn't turn around her focus on the food, "Cooking, obviously."

"You cook?" he stared wide-eyed.

She turned and glowered at him, "What's that supposed to mean? Of course I can cook."

"But I've never seen you cook before, you're always eating out," he went over to her, curious as to what she was making. She pouted and carried on, "Just because I've never cooked for you before, doesn't mean I don't know how. I love cooking, I just don't get much access to a kitchen."

"Then why are you cooking today?" he asked her.

"Because I felt like it," she replied simply not adding much more information.

Ria was sitting on Kakashi's bed watching him, she looked so sad, he frowned and went over, taking the place beside her, "What's wrong?"

"I did something stupid," her lip trembled.

"What?" he panicked.

"I said I wouldn't but I can't help it," she replied making him more confused,

"Can't help what?"

"I wasn't going to be like all those stupid girls that go crazy about you, who dream about you, I wasn't going to be like that…but…" she glanced at him, "I love you," there was a little fear in his eyes.

He stared at her in complete and utter shock, "What?" he mumbled.

She covered her face, "I know, I'm such a loser. I told myself I wouldn't do anything as stupid as that, but whenever I'm with you, I'm happy, I feel safe and I want to stay. I'm so sorry, I'm an idiot I know…"

He hugged her making her look at him, his eyes sparkled, "You're not an idiot, or stupid or a loser."

"I am," she groaned hiding in his chest, "You're Stupid Kakashi! I wasn't going to fall for you."

He chuckled, "But you did."

"Don't be mean, you have no idea how traumatizing this is for me," she hit him but stayed in his arms.

"You have no idea how happy you make me," he smiled making her blush hard. When she fell asleep he rifled quietly through his things, he didn't want to wake her, but he couldn't sleep until he found it. When he finally did he was too jittery to sleep, she woke up lazily again, it was so nice to see her back to her usual self. She tried to get out of bed but he pulled her back making her giggle,

"What is it, I'm hungry," she moaned.

"You take forever to eat and I need to ask you something," he sat up making her sit up with him.

She waited patiently rubbing her eyes, "What do you want?"

He took her hands in his, she looked up, she had never seen him act like this, he looked nervous, "I didn't think I'd ever get the chance to say this to you, being Stupid Kakashi after all…" she giggled, "I love you," she stopped smiling her eyes widened, "I have been in love with you since the moment I met you. I never thought I'd ever get you to notice me, to say you felt the same way, you make me so happy."

"You make me happy," she smiled brightly.

"I want to spend the rest of my life with you," he put a box in her hand making her eyes widen more so, she choked, "Maybe would you like to spend yours with me?"

"Yes," she answered immediately making him stare back at her,

"You'll marry me?" he stuttered.

"Yes," she repeated her eyes on him, "Yes, I love you, I love you," she put her arms around him and kissed him making him hold her closer,

"I love you," he had never felt happier than in that moment.

He put the ring on her finger, he couldn't stop smiling, "When I get back from my mission," she touched his cheek, "We are going to go meet my parents, I want everyone to know that you're mine."

The Third Hokage raised an eyebrow as he read the submission Kakashi had handed him, "A change of status," he mused, it was a private meeting between the two of them. Whenever a ninja entered or left a relationship he or she was instructed to submit official papers defining the parameters of such a relationship, as Ria was also a Jonin and they were engaged, he knew it was a formality he had to honor. It was the first official move he had made to announce he and Ria were together. "You chose wisely I see."

Kakashi lowered his eyes, "I hope this isn't an issue."

"It hasn't been so far, and you two have been together how many years now…?"

"7," Kakashi suddenly blurted out, then reddened, "Sorry, technically it wasn't an official relationship but now it is, so I'm just following procedure."

"I hope I'll be invited to the wedding," Saratobi smiled, "You two will be very happy together."

"Thank you," Kakashi bowed his head and stood up.

"Kakashi," Saratobi began, "They would all have been so proud of you, not only have you remained strong you have also kept your heart open."

He rubbed his neck shyly, "I have just been lucky to have met her."

Gai, Kurenai, and Asuma stared at Kakashi in shock, he seemed so happy, his eye so bright a massive grin on his face, they had never seen him like that even before when he was much younger, Kakashi was always withdrawn and sullen.

"What's wrong?" Gai asked, "What have you done with Kakashi?"

"Nothing," he shook his head, "I just..3 days from now don't any of you take up a mission, I have someone I want you to meet, I want to tell you all something just make sure you're free."

The rain was bitterly cold as it poured down on them, every Jonin and Chunin was present, along with all the Uchiha Clan, Kakashi felt nothing. Slowly people left, there was not much to do, there was no body to bury, just a name to inscribe along with all the others.

She was gone.

Soon he was the only one left, he was completely soaked through, he had no idea how long he had stood there, it felt like forever, how many times would he have to stand here, hear those words, how many times would he have to lose those he loved. When the last candle flickered out, he finally turned and walked home, passed his friends in the restaurant, passed the other villagers, everyone had moved on so quickly, but he, he couldn't even think. Each step was labored, he made it to his front door, his apartment feeling so empty, so quiet. He slipped his shoes off and walked into his room, on his table was an envelope, marked with the Hokage Seal, he opened it as he headed for his bed, that was when his legs gave way, he crumpled to the floor his body wracked with pain and tears as he cried, in his hand the official papers declaring his engagement to Ria, the Hokage had accepted it. It was the only thing he had left, proving his love for her. She was gone, and all that was left was this piece of paper, his name with hers.