Pheonix: Ah, my dearest marz, or shall I call you twix? You have the vaguest ideas of what is pertaining to the oncoming chapters. Let all be jealous of my beautiful twix for know more than them! Mwafwawa. I don't know why talking like this entertains me so. And, and so you all know, I LIKE TO LISTEN TO MUSIC WHILE I WRITE. Right now, I'm listening to Jillian (I'd give my heart) by Within Temptations. I'm not sure that knowing this will make reading this anymore enjoyable, but if you have limewire and want to search up the song and listen to it, it might be kinda nice. Good song…

Disclaimer: I've seen kingdoms… Oops, that's a lyric, children. I shouldn't be singing. I don't own anything, you see, so no reason to be happy… But sing I shall, dammit!

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Shirikima looked up from her brother and their sparring match at the calling from a familiar voice. Yup, that was her name, alright. Sasuke, not officially thinking anything of it for a few seconds, attacked Shirikima with a kunai, which she blocked daftly with her sword before signaling to him that they were done. He didn't seem disappointed, or anything, for that matter, merely replaced his kunai and walked back to join the other members of team seven. As the figure came closer, Shirikima gave a rather surprisingly joyful squeal and launched forward, embracing the girl before her in a warm hug.

"Kinta!" The Uchiha girl held Kinta at arms length, examining her as if she were a prime rib ready to be bought at a market stall.

Which, by the way, Shirikima HAD LEARNED HOW TO SHOP! (AN: That will be explored in a one shot story that I am planning as a humorous side story to this… Look forward to it.)

"Shirikima!" It had been about two weeks since their first meeting in the hot springs, and now they were both extremely acquainted. Iruka and Kakashi had taken to calling them the beginning of the apocalypse, as they managed to be completely different and alike at the same time. Shirikima had, obviously, grown rather attached.

"You can let go now, Shirikima." Kinta sweat dropped, and Shirikima laughed lightly while releasing her friend.

"I wonder why the newest fiancée I know finds it fit to interrupt a training session?" HIS voice alerted her to his presence right next to her, and Shirikima stepped away begrudgingly to stand beside Kinta instead. Kakashi made silent note of this, but said nothing.

"Of course you do." Kinta said, turning away from Kakashi to giggle excitedly in Shirikima's direction.

"What?" Shirikima asked. Giggle.

"No, seriously."

Giggle.

"Tell me, you worthless piece of garbage!"

Some serious, hysterical giggling. With a rather affective glomp, Shirikima had the woman's attention, finally, and Kinta blinked apologetically before stating her purpose.

"A party! Shirikima, you're coming."

"I know I am."

"But how, I just told you!"

"Have you forgotten my amazing mind reading abilities?" This bought another giggle.

"Of course I haven't. How would I dare?"

"So, what's the party FOR?" Kakashi had been silent until now, by this time fully knowing that interrupting them too frequently could lead to even greater confusion.

"Duh – Wedding?" Kinta and Shirikima turned on him, hands on their hips.

"When?"

"Tonight."

"Ahhh… Where?"

"Damn you, Kakashi! So curious. Just follow the crowds." Shirikima teased him, and he scowled, remembering what had happened last time…

(AN: I know you guys are getting confused. Which is my secret plan. I'm making you confused about what they're talking about so that you'll want to read the side story to find out. Heehee)

"See you later, Kakashi." His reminiscing leaving him slightly behind in the conversation, he looked to see Shirikima chuckling as she waved good bye to him, and the girl turned to catch up with Kinta.

Kakashi sighed. It definetly wasn't the first time Shirikima had left their training sessions to spend time with the girl, and he knew that it didn't matter all that much.

After Shirikima's first week in Konoha, as promised, there had been an evaluation. Shirikima had gotten the role of playing guard at… Dun dun dun. The Hospital. At first, the girl had been thrown off course, but now that she knew she was guarding within talking distance of the secretary's office, she had been mollified into a rather happy night job. And even though she worked nights, she was still with them for training. The Hokage had not elaborated to Kakashi as what his reasons were for not giving Shirikima a harder job, but Kakashi had his suspicions.

One, she didn't know much of anything about chakra, never mind how to use it.

Two? She had a slight case of insanity at times.

……………………………………………………

Shirikima nodded admiringly as Kinta came out wearing a sleeveless night dress, a deep flame color that matched perfectly with the woman's deep red hair. It reached passed her friends knees, hovering amiably above the ground. It was rather low cut, and fit the curves everywhere in just the right spot.

"Perfect." Kinta agreed, as she looked at herself in the mirror.

"Now, girly…" Shirikima stiffened. Yup, that was definitely a determined smirk in her direction. Crap.

"Off we go!"

If anyone had ever used the term kicking and screaming to be hilarious, it was fittingly so now. Shirikima fought valiantly, but Kinta had a rather effective hold on her hair, and soon it was clear that all efforts were in vain as they explored the many dress choices, finally settling on a deep indigo/almost black dress, with thin straps going smoothly over Shirikima's pale shoulders, and an intricate tie-up in the back, exposing most of the skin found there. It had a low cut, v-neck front, accentuating the curve of her breasts in a beautiful, yet completely respectable manner. It redeemed itself easily by having a rather long and flowing skirt, extra bits of fabric sewn into the bottom to add a bit of straight, yet fluttering frill. (AN: You know, like straightened hair blows in the wind? Well, ya, you don't know. But I do, and if your imagining frill as in tutu, go get your head out of the slipper wearing contortionist area and come back when you're settled.)

"Ah, and now these!" Kinta presented her with a pair of high heels, a rather nice looked black pair with a rather skinny two inch heel at the back, and long, stretchy straps attached so as to hold the shoe in place on her feet. These straps reached above her ankle then stopped, leaving yet more elegance to the ensemble. They looked almost exactly like Kinta's, except the bride-to-be's heels were shorter and a bit more stocky, due to her lack of coordination, or so the red head had tried to explain. Shirikima slipped these on, and paid the end total. Getting herself used to the heels rather quickly; it was all a matter of balance, really, she walked out confidently into the street, which was now turning to dusk. Kinta had obviously chosen to do this on a night when they didn't have to work, as their work schedules were the same.

Reaching the bar, which Shirikima had cringed at, they heard the commotion. Three tables were fitted together, three rather large tables, and there was so many faces that she didn't recognize. A lot of jounins, chuunins (AN: I cant remember if I'm spelling that right at the moment, I'm so hyper…) and it looked like quite a few genins as well. She recognized Kakashi and team seven, who had apparently been let in at the grace of the bar owner. She waved and smiled, trying to ignore the fact that this was the fanciest thing she had worn… Ever. Kakashi motioned to the seat next to him that was vacant as soon as he noticed her well hidden, but obvious discomfort. She smiled in relief, and at Kinta's un-needed urging, went to sit beside the jounin, at once being presented with some Sake. She shook her head vigorously, and the kind waitress told her that shed leave it there to see if it would be of any use in the later hours. Shirikima glanced at it, then chose to ignore it.

"I can see a certain fiancée took you shopping." The voice behind her surprised her, but only for a moment, and she smiled warmly as she turned to greet Iruka.

"Hai, and she has an impeccable habit of finding amazing things." Shirikima had learned manners, mostly at Sakuru's urging and insistence that she could not be a Neanderthal forever. Shirikima, of course, had been at offense for a while, before accepting her fate as such…

"…Three weeks…" Iruka paused as he noticed her expression. "Shirikima?"

"Hm? Oh, sorry, Iruka, were you talking to me?" Shirikima sweat dropped, and resisted the urge to rub her head as she so often saw Kakashi doing. It was hard, living with him her first week, becoming attached, then moving into an apartment on the other side of town. She was near-by to Sakura's place, but it didn't change the fact that her former roommate seemed so out of reach. And what of the kitty-cat, you ask? Shamrock was displeased. And that's saying it in a nice way.

"I was saying," Iruka made sure he had her attention before continuing, "How Kinta wants you to be her maid of honor at the wedding in three weeks."

Shirikima's eyes widened, and she said, "Not a more long time friend?"

"Nope," Iruka grinned. "She said that a long time friend was nothing compared to a new sister."

Shirikima was silent now, extremely touched by her friend's obvious care for her.
She had to say she felt the same way, of course. Iruka was called away, and with an apologetic wave he made his way towards the person calling, and Shirikima turned back to see Naruto and Sasuke glaring at each other. She sighed to see Sakura doing much the same to Ino, the blonde girl who still sent shivers down Shirikima's spine. Her hand unconsciously reached to her shoulder. The wound had scarred nicely, and was just finishing the healing process with only a bit of dry skin waiting to be officially 'attached'. She hadn't been wary at all of showing this wound off with her dress, knowing that wounds were a fact of life in a hidden village such as this one.

"So, who is everyone?" Shirikima asked, turning to Kakashi to see him contemplating something silently.

"Oi, baka." Shirikima sweat dropped as he blinked and looked to her.

"Yes?"

"I said," Shirikima began to talk very slowly, just to annoy him. She was still mad, of course… "Who-is-everyone?"

"Friends." Oh yes, she could have killed him. How over tempting!

"Gai-sensei! You've come!" A joyful voice and a rather overjoyed response hit her ears, and she saw Kakashi sigh. Gai… That was the freak?! Shirikima resisted yelping, and watched with an eyebrow raised as the sensei and his identical student, or at least assumed student, embraced.

"Great, the freaks have arrived." Shirikima muttered, and Kakashi, whom had caught that, smirked lightly. Shirikima may not have been doing it unintentionally, but within the space of fifteen seconds she had completely forgotten about revenge on him. It was rather interesting, her mood changes as well as changes of opinion. He just couldn't figure her out if her tried. But then again, why try when she would subconsciously feed him information? He had learned that she did this quite often, almost as a rule.

Sakura, as well, seemed keen on not going noticed by the enthusiastic boy.

That, my dear friends, is when the sound of doom caught her ears.

"You look gorgeous, Kinta-chan! The Image of Youth!" Gai was exclaiming profusely, pouring over Kinta's hand, to which Iruka was trying to regain claim.

Kinta sighed, and said, patiently, "Thank you, Gai. But oh, haven't you seen Shirikima's dress?" Within an instant, Kakashi had stiffened, and Shirikima had felt hands encircle one of hers as she stared with bewilderment into the heart shaped eyes of one very… How we say this… GAY looking Gai as he verbally praised her. Finally, she snapped.

"GET OFF!" She half yelped, half screeched, as to which Gai blinked and straightened slightly.

"A challenge! I shall graciously accept, dear lady Shirikima, as your extreme youth gives me strength to do all things! If I do not succeed in gaining a place in your heart, than it will be 10,000 laps around Konoha!" Shirikima skillfully wrenched her hands free, and darted behind Kakashi's chair.

"What are you doing?"

"Ah, Kakashi, you're such a willing sacrifice." Shirikima replied, as Gai quickly advanced.

"Does this mean you two are together?! Have I missed my chance? Kakashi, what is the meaning of this!? I challenge you right now to a fight to win Shirikima's beautiful heart!"

"You've never seen my heart, you dumbass!"

"I am sorry, but I must object to you calling my sensei such!"

Oh yes, this was getting out of hand. After about half an hour of arguing, yelping, running, hiding, and more of the like, the group had settled to order some food and talk in a more civil manner. Shirikima was still panting, fanning herself with a folded napkin as if she would die from lack of oxygen. Kakashi had been unwillingly dragged into a conversation with Gai over how they were now tied in their eternal feud. Sasuke was staring ahead, ignoring Sakura's excited jabbering, and Shirikima didn't know which one to feel bad for. Her brother sensed her gaze and looked up, his expression unchanging, except that she noticed a slight glint in his eye. She must have just mistaken it, but she could swear it had looked like confusion, or possibly a silent question. But he obviously wasn't that interested in much right now, as he looked back to the opposite wall. At least, that's what she assumed he was looking at. She herself looked across the table, and her eyes met with the brown eyes of the other man who had appeared along with Itachi and Gai that day… What was his name? Genma… The senbon in his mouth flicked a bit as he noticed her curious stare, and he smirked. She shifted in her seat, allowing her gaze to travel away from his cocky expression to fall onto her 'sister'. Kinta was laughing with Iruka and a few other people about something, but turned her eyes to wave at Shirikima gleefully. Shirikima chuckled and returned her friend's friendly wave. Sitting next to her, Shirikima realized, was a young boy much the same as Sasuke in actions, his light colored eyes staring ahead as a girl with buns on either side of her head talked to him about something. But he made responses, the first difference from her brother that Shirikima noticed in him, either a nod of the head or a hummed agreement, a shake of the head doing for disagreement on the conversation. Sometimes he'd even shift his gaze for a few moments to look to something the girl was describing.

She felt breath on her neck, and yelped, looking behind her quickly. An inch away from her, was Genma, leaning down with that smirk on his face.

"So, you must be Shirikima Uchiha."

"And you're Genma." Shirikima replied, feeling slightly uncomfortable and pulling back a few inches.

"Interested in a drink?"

"Non-alcoholic?" Shirikima reminded herself that she had to be careful not to touch any sake, or anything alcoholic for that matter.

"Sure, non-alcoholic. Any other specifics in mind?" Genma was running the charm at full throttle, and it seemed to be working. Shirikima shook her head slightly, her black eyes still a bit wide, and he straightened before walking to the bar to get her a drink. Shirikima turned around, shaking her head, bewildered, and glanced at her half drunk water. Her eyes turned to gaze at Kakashi, and noticed that his water was empty and he had a sake bottle in front of him. Though it wasn't yet touched, she could tell he had the full intention of drinking it at some point. She wondered how she had not noticed his mask come down to drink his water. Trying to convince herself that she didn't care what was under the self-absorbed ninja's mask, she turned away to see an arm reaching over her shoulder, placing her drink in front of her. It was pink, and she thanked him. Genma hid his wolfish grin under a charming smile, and resumed his seat across from her.

Without pausing to smell the drink, Shirikima put the straw into her mouth and took a few sips, noticing the overly sweet taste. But that aftertaste… Before she knew why, she was grinning, and she put down her drink with disdain. She looked to Genma to see him smirking, and knew what had happened… Somewhere in her mind she knew she was now drunk. She stopped drinking the pink colored drink, sniffing disdainfully. Naruto's voice seemed awfully loud to her ears, and she shivered with discomfort. He was talking about dragging his teammates to the ramen stand instead, and Sakura was beginning to vouch for it out of her boredom. Watching the genins leave in what seemed like a very fast order, but which actually turned out to be an hour of her silent and intoxicated observation, she suddenly giggled. Kinta looked to her, and shook her head with a smile, blowing a kiss. This was one of their inside jokes, and Shirikima sluggishly 'caught' it, pretending to put it in her pocket and wink at the same time. This obviously was taking too much concentration, because she let loose another giggle. She felt Kakashi's eyes on her in a split second, instantly curious, and she turned to meet his gaze with a lopsided grin.

"What's goin'on?" She slurred, trying to raise an eyebrow. She looked to her drink and took another sip, getting up and walking over to Kinta with a grin.

"D'y'know wha' this is?" She questioned, kneeling beside her friend with some difficulty and showing her the spiked drink.

"Hmm," Kinta took a look, and said, "Well, sake, and Shirley temple. That's what it is, Shirikima." She threw her black haired friend a worried look as Shirikima struggled to stand, then her eyes widened.

"Oh my gosh, Shirikima, are you drunk?"

"Hm? Maybe. I dunno… Am I drunk, Kakashi?" She looked around the room dazedly, trying to pin-point the silver haired man, but then felt a stern hand on her shoulder.

"Yes, Shirikima, I do believe you are. Come on, let's take you home now." It was Kakashi's hand on her shoulder and his kind but commanding voice drifting into her doting ears, and she was all too happy to agree. Genma seemed disappointed, but Shirikima missed the threatening look her escort sent the older man as he passed.

Walking out into the street, Shirikima barely made it over the threshold, stumbling and grabbing onto Kakashi's shoulder for the sake of balance. It was a bit of a reach for her, to say the least, especially in her crouched, drunken state.

Light green eyes watched from the rooftops with interest and a mixture of disdain…

Pheonix: Yes, in case you are wondering, this has MAJOR FILLER written all over it! But if I didn't put this up I'm afraid Marissa may have stabbed me or something else more drastic. So, to preserve my life, I've thrown this together, and now have to organize my ideas on the one shot side story that I was telling you so much about throughout the chapter. Well, if you could excuse me:)