A/N: Hello, this is rather a short chapter. I've been sooo busy with Masquerade, because I like it more ;-). Ok before I dis all my stories let's continue...

Disclaimer: Naruto... not... owned... by... me

Part 4

Auko Nuriko shivered in the cold night; her back leaned against a stone wall of an alleyway. The noise of the festival annoyed her greatly, but she had no choice to be here. Standing in the she adjusted her mask. Earlier that day she had received a scroll telling her that she was to wear a mask. This ordered contributed more to her annoyance. She did not want to be any part of the celebration. Quivering again she let out a small breath, which turned white when it hit the cold air.

She growled out of frustration and was about to rip the mask off when a hand stopped hers. She gave the person a glare, but it changed into a smile when she registered who it was. " Itachi-san… good evening."

Itachi nodded in recognition. Although his cloak covered half his face, Nuriko noticed the black mask outlining his red eyes. There was a moment of awkward silence. The girl turned toward the crowd. " We'll have to go through the festival,"

"Ah," the Uchiha replied, " If you try anything, I'll have to kill you… Nuriko-san."

"I understand," she tightened her fists, "shall we go?"

As they moved in between the swarm of people Itachi stuck close to the girl in front of him. She was fast and would have been a good ninja if she were given the chance.

Uchiha Itachi stopped abruptly when Nuriko crashed into someone ahead of her. She fell to the ground and mumbled an apology while rubbing her head. It seemed that she found a habit of bumping into people.

Nuriko was about to lift herself up when a fat hand was offered before her. " Are you ok little miss?" Her eyes widened. Before her was the round man that she had stolen from yesterday. She scrambled up and nodded. The male squinted his eyes and spoke again. " You look familiar girl, do I know you?" Nuriko pushed her mask up against her nose, " I don't think so sir, enjoy the night further." She walked past him, but was stopped when his hand grabbed her upper arm.

" Are you sure?" he said uncertain. Nuriko swallowed hard. The man's free hand lifted to pull the mask off…

"Nuriko," the chubby man and girl both turned their heads to a teenager, who was now stood next to Nuriko. Her eyebrows furrowed in confusion. Did she know this boy? It dawned on her who it was when she examined the mask he had on. "Itachi-kun…"

The man let go of Nuriko's arm and crossed his own. " Are you with her young man?"

"Yes,"

Nuriko took a mouthful of air and moved closer to Itachi, she then laced her fingers with his and leaned against his shoulder. " You must be mistaken with someone else, sir. I'm sorry that I rudely bumped into you…" she looked up at Itachi, " shall we go dear?"

The Uchiha nodded and closed his hand around hers. Leading them away he looked back to see the man scratching his baldhead.