"So, you never told me who you were with when I covered for you."

"Shisui…" Itachi sighed, throwing his head back.

"I don't get why you're so against telling me. We are like brothers. If you don't want anyone else to know, then they won't. I'm a shinobi after all. My lips are sealed." He zipped his mouth.

"I was just hanging out with someone, relaxing by the lake."

"Do I know this someone?"

"I doubt it. I'm sure you've seen them around, but I'm not sure if you've worked together," he explained. Kokoa casually walked towards the two, on her way to the Hokage's for a meeting. She froze upon seeing Itachi.

'Should I talk to him, or keep going? I'm not sure if that guy is on Itachi's side, or his father's…'' she thought. Itachi nodded slightly, indicating she could come.

"Itachi-san," she smiled.

"Hello Kokoa. This is Uchiha Shisui. He's a friend of mine."

"So you're the Shisui Itachi always talks about. It's nice to meet you."

"It's nice to meet you as well, and…always talks about? Wait a second…" He turned to his friend.

"Is she who you were with?" he inquired. Itachi avoided his eyes. "Hah, she is, you are." He pointed at Kokoa.

"Wait…are you two…an item?"

"Shisui please –"

"Answer the question Itachi."

"Yes. We are."

"That's why you didn't want your father knowing."

"He says I don't have time for friends or games. Imagine what he would say if he knew I was seeing Kokoa. I won't risk it. What she and I have, it's good, and I'm not letting him end it."

"You can't keep hiding forever Itachi."

"I know, but at least until he isn't on my case all the time."

"I doubt that time will ever come. You're the clan's prodigy, the pride of the Uchiha. Everyone has their eyes on you," shisui said.

"That's why no one but my mother knows. She forced it out of me."

"How do you feel about all this?" Shisui turned to her.

"It's difficult at times, but Itachi means a lot to me. We didn't just meet. We were friends first. I'll do anything it takes to make this work."

"Dedication, I like it. She's a keeper." He nudged his friend.

"Shisui…now that you know, please keep it quiet."

"Of course Itachi. She obviously means a lot to you. I can tell just by the way you smiled when you saw her. I don't see that much, you smiling that is. I'll cover for you again if it comes to it."

"Thank you."

"I should head off before the Hokage gets angry. I'll see you two," she smiled, walking away.

"Huh, I never thought I'd live to see the day when Uchiha Itachi fell in love," shisui swooned.

"That's enough."

"How sweet. The elite shinobi also has a soft spot for a charming young girl."

"Are you finished?"

"Yes. Oh, your father would kill you if he knew."

"Thanks for reminding me Shisui."

"Anytime."

"Your father isn't home. He was called in for something," Mikoto said.

"Is that so?" Itachi raised an eyebrow, lying across the futon.

"You should help me practice instead of being so lazy," Sasuke commented.

"Sasuke, I just got home, and Father isn't here to order me around. Let me rest. Some other time, ok?"

"You always say that." He crossed his arms.

"Sasuke, how about you run over to Uruchi and Teyaki's bakery to pick up some senbei?" Mikoto suggested.

"I guess I'll go see Auntie and Uncle. Why not…" he mumbled.

"Itachi?" Mikoto said once Sasuke had left.

"Hm?" He glanced over. She motioned for him to follow. "What is it?"

"I want to give you something," she said, searching through her items in the bedroom.

"Give me something?"

"Mhm. I'm not sure how serious you are about Kokoa," she started. He gave her a confused look.

"But I want you to take this and give it to her. I got it ages ago. Instead of locking it away forever, why not pass it to you?" She placed a chain in the palm of his hand. Looped in it was a pendant of the Uchiha crest.

"I used to wear it all the time, but I eventually grew out of it. Even though she isn't an Uchiha, she's still a part of your life. If you feel that she's committed, that you could see yourself with her…I'm not sure how long you've been seeing her, but you've done an excellent job at hiding it from your father. I assume she knows you're walking on eggshells around him."

"I told her from the beginning that it wouldn't be easy, and that we would have to hide it from just about everyone. She didn't seem to care about any of that, as long as we could see each other. She understands." He closed his fingers over the necklace. "She understands my responsibilities to my father and the clan. She's never gotten angry with me for not being able to see her."

"Then she's worthy of wearing our clan's symbol. If you care for and trust her, then so will I. She puts you first and understands your obligations as a shinobi and son. I am happy for you Itachi." She smiled, pushing the hair from his face. "I bet she'll make a wonderful wife," she teased. He smiled, shaking his head.

"I wanted to invite her to dinner a while back, but…I guess dinner and several other things will just have to wait."

"Don't worry, my son. Love always finds a way. Now go get some rest while you can." She pushed him out playfully.

Kokoa glanced to her right when the bell of the Academy sounded. Students came rushing out. Walking casually through the crowd was Sasuke. He spotted her. She stopped and waved.

"I'm seeing you everywhere," he said.

"Small village," she grinned. "How was school?"

"Easy. I got my grades, see?" He shoved the paper in her face.

"Hmm, top of the class eh? How much did you pay your teacher to pass you?" she teased.

"Hey! I earned those grades."

"I know. I'm only kidding. Good for you Sasuke. You'll make a fine shinobi."

"Just like Ni-san."

"Maybe even better."

"I doubt it, but it doesn't hurt to try."

"Very true," she agreed.

"So when are you going to marry my brother?"

"What?" she choked, stopping to look at him.

"You and Itachi, you aren't together?"

"No. Why think that?"

"You're always looking for him, and I see you walking sometimes."

"For missions and tasks around the village. Itachi is a very important and skilled ninja. We just work together sometimes is all," she lied.

"Oh…I swear I thought you were a couple. Maybe if he had a girlfriend, he wouldn't be so grumpy all the time, and he'd help me out."

"I don't think Itachi is grumpy. He's just exhausted all the time. You may not see or understand it completely now Sasuke, but everyone expects a lot from him. Sometimes it's like he's being pulled from a million different directions."

"I never thought about him that way…"

"Just know that he loves you, and sooner or later he's going to help you out with shuriken training or whatever it is you need help with. If he doesn't, let me know, and I'll have a talk with him," she grinned.

"Sounds like a plan."

"One second. The clasp is being difficult," Itachi pouted, struggling to hook the necklace around her neck.

"Here, let me do it," Kokoa said, stepping away from him. "See how easy that was? For an ANBU, you're kind of terrible."

"I deal with tai, nin, and gen-jutsu, and a lot of other important ninja related tasks. When last I looked, putting on jewelry wasn't on the list." He crossed his arms.

"Excuses, excuses."

"Hm, do you like it?"

"Of course."

"It's not silly? You aren't an Uchiha, so I'm not sure how you feel about wearing the pendant, but my mother insisted."

"I love it. It's like a little part of you, so when you're off on missions, I have something. It may sound silly, but it's true. I wish I could give you something. I'll have to come up with a unique idea."

"You don't have to."

"But I want to. Itachi, you're always too proper. Just admit that you want a gift."

"Fine, I want a gift."

"I'll give you a two part gift. Part two will be whatever I think of later."

"What is part one then?" He raised an eyebrow.

"Dango? My treat?"

"You know my weakness…" he sighed. She chuckled, taking him by the hand.

"I saw the mission report Itachi. You did well, but I see room for improvement. I have faith in your abilities, but sometimes you seem distracted. How will you take over my position in the future if you're not able to focus?" Fugaku sighed.

"The enemies we encounter get stronger with each mission. Reaching our goal while looking out for each other also becomes more difficult. Things can't be perfect."

"What are you saying?"

"Teammates will be injured, and sometimes missions will fail. We can't control it – I can't stop certain things from happening."

"Where are these excuses coming from?" He narrowed his eyes.

"They aren't excuses, it's just…" He fell silent, noticing his father was growing impatient.

"Never mind. I will do my best on the next assignment."

"It's coming up soon. Don't let me down."

"I won't Father…"

"Ni-san, you don't look so well," Sasuke said once Itachi left his father.

"I'm fine Sasuke –" He turned away to cough into his arm. "I'm fine."

"Liar. I'm not stupid Itachi."

"I never said you were. I'm just a little tired is all." He continued to his room. Apparently Sasuke did the same, sitting on the end of his brother's bed.

"Guess who I saw the other day Ni-san."

"Who?"

"Guess."

"That blond boy you always compete with?"

"Nope."

"Sasuke…"

"Kokoa."

"Kokoa?"

"Mhm. She was walking past the academy when I left. She saw my grades. We both agree that I'm going to be a better ninja than you."

"Is that so?"

"You bet."

"Bring it on," Itachi smirked.

"How do you know Kokoa?"

"How do I know her? We were in the same class back in school, and we've worked together several times. She's a good friend of mine."

"I like her. She's different than other girls, and she can actually fight," Sasuke snickered.

"She is different," Itachi smiled softly.

"She's pretty too. Really pretty. Hey Ni-san, why don't you ask her to be you girlfriend?" Luckily Sasuke didn't notice the slight shock in Itachi's face.

"Why would I?"

"You're friends right? And she's pretty, and strong, and I think she likes you."

"You think so huh?"

"Mhm, she's always looking for you, or talking about you. She smiles every time I say your name. It's almost a little creepy."

"Sasuke," Itachi chuckled. "Kokoa and I are just friends. Maybe one day in the future we can be something more, if it's meant to happen of course, but for now, I just don't have time."

"I know, you barely have time for me, and I'm your brother!" he exclaimed.

"Orokanaru otōto yo…" Itachi trailed off. "I will try to be there for you more Sasuke. I'm sorry."

"Mmm, I forgive you…this time," he smiled. "And you better help with my training. Kokoa said if you didn't, that she was going to have a talk with you."

"That's not good. The first break from all this work, I'll spend it with you. I promise."

"Thanks Ni-san!"

"You really shouldn't work yourself too hard these next few days."

"Kokoa, I'm fine –" He turned away, coughing into his arm.

"You were saying?" She raised an eyebrow.

"I'm fine."

"Itachi, I know I'm not a medical ninja, but come on. You look exhausted, and – and you keep coughing."

"It's just a one day thing. The weather has been shaky lately, off and on. Sometimes it affects me. It's really nothing."

"You're sick, but won't accept it. Until you admit that you are, no more sweets for you," she declared, hiding the box of treats behind her back.

"What? Why? Those are mine," he cried.

"I bought them so we could share. Technically, they're mine."

"Please Kokoa? Pleeeaaase?" He leaned in to kiss her.

"I don't think so," she whispered, pulling away before their lips met. "My house means my rules."

"But I'm fine."

"You're sick, and if you don't stop to take care of yourself, you'll only get worse."

"I can't just drop everything. You know that," he mumbled.

"True, but you can take some time to gather your full strength. You won't be of much use if you're coughing up your lungs the entire time."

"Kokoa…you're supposed to be the only one who isn't telling me to do something," he whined, burying his face in her shoulder. She smiled at his behavior.

"Fine. You can have the sweets only if you promise to at least take it easy. I know you can't just drop everything, but don't push yourself more than you have to. And let me take care of you when you aren't busy."

"It's a deal." He captured her lips. Kissing her lovingly, he gently brushed the back of his hand across her cheek. She pulled away, giggling shyly.

"Am I the only one who sees this side of you?" she inquired, stuffing a treat into his mouth.

"What side are you referring to?" he said, chewing loudly.

"The silly, pouty, boyish side."

"Yes. You should be honored."

"Your human side," she said softly. He nodded, digesting her words. She pushed part of his bangs back behind his ear.

"You'll never guess what Sasuke asked me," she started.

"Is it bad?"

"You tell me. He asked when I'm going to marry you."

"Really?"

"Mhm, out of nowhere. I wasn't sure how to respond, but I made sure he didn't suspect we were together. I know if he was older he'd probably even help you keep this a secret, but…"

"He's young, and he could let it slip out without meaning to. Trust me, I feel just as guilty about hiding it from him, but it's something that must be done. He does love you though, and even told me to ask you to be my girlfriend," Itachi chuckled.

"I love him too. He's very sweet, like his big brother." She pushed his head back with a finger to his forehead.

"I would like to marry you some day. I know things are rough now, but when we're older Kokoa."

"You mean it?" she gasped in awe.

"I do," he replied, avoiding her eyes.

"Well that's good," she smiled. "Because I want to marry you. Then I can force you to stay home when you're sick, and I can watch your diet. You eat too many sweets."

"I do not. Stop worrying. A few snacks won't hurt. Besides, I'm a shinobi. I don't gain weight."

"Hmph, if you say so Itachi-san."