"Kokoa-chan! I haven't seen you in a while," Sasuke smiled, running up to her.

"I was on a mission. Didn't your brother tell you?" she smiled.

"No. You know Ni-san. He's...not normal."

"When has Itachi ever been…normal?" She placed two hands on her hips.

"Good point. He's still acting differently though. It's not the same," he sighed.

"I know. He just lost his best friend. It'd be even weirder if he didn't react, you know?"

"I guess," he pouted.

"I'm sure everything will get better in time. That's what Shisui always used to tell me, that things take time."

"If you say so. As long as Ni-san feels better," he smiled. "So, are you training me today or what?" He crossed his arms.

"Eh? Today? I wasn't planning on it…" She noticed the look in his eyes. "But I like you too much to say no." She gave in.

"Yosh!"

"Come on, little Sasuke."

"You know, I meant to mention it earlier, but are you alright there, Sasuke? Did you hurt yourself?" She crouched to his level, gently stroking around his mouth.

"Oh yeah, it's nothing."

"Really?"

"It's actually why we're here. I don't want to train today."

"No? I was wondering why we're by the lake." Kokoa rubbed her chin.

"I wanted to show you something."

"The water?"

"No!" He tried shoving her. "This. Step back."

"Alright?" She listened, standing behind him with her arms crossed. Focusing, he formed the seals, took a deep breath, and then…

"Holy - !" She stood there, mouth open, stunned. "Katon: Gōkakyū? You know this technique? But you're still just a little nugget! That's why you have a few little burns. Sasuke!" she exclaimed. He turned around with a smirk.

"Surprised? Impressed? Hmm, Kokoa-chan?"

"When? How?"

"Well…it's complicated. I told you, ever since the incident, Father and Itachi have barely interacted. I thought I was just Itachi's replacement, but my father actually showed me the jutsu. I practiced like crazy. I wanted him to notice me. You always tell me not to follow Ni-san."

"You shouldn't. You're Sasuke, not Itachi. Forget what others say," she smiled.

"Mhm!"

"Now I'm in trouble. You're capable of this level Uchiha jutsu? What if I have nothing else to teach you!?"

"I still have a lot to learn. Don't worry. I like you as a sensei. You're strong and kind."

"Arigato, Sasuke."

"And you always buy me food afterwards." He raised an eyebrow.

"…Fine. Let's go," she sighed.

He stepped into the room, arms behind his back.

"Ni-san? Could you teach me some shuriken techniques after school today?" Sasuke inquired. Turning his head to his brother,

"I am busy. Why don't you ask Father to help you?" Itachi suggested.

"But you're better at shuriken techniques, even I can see that," he pouted. "You always treat me like a burden."

Lifting a hand, the elder motioned for Sasuke to come. Eager to answer his brother, Sasuke rushed over, only to be greeted with a signature poke to the forehead.

"Yuruse Sasuke, mata kondo da. Next time," he said kindly, staring off to the side. Sasuke noticed the strange, the almost pained expression in his brother's eyes.

"I don't have time to play with you today," Itachi explained, rising to his feet, his back to Sasuke.

"Hn, you always say "forgive me, Sasuke" and then flick me in the forehead," he sighed, rubbing the red mark. "And then "some other time" but that never happens." He fell quiet, watching Itachi leave the room.

'Thank goodness, Ni-san is still the same.' He smiled to himself; however, it soon faded when the cracked Uchiha crest came into view. He remembered that day like it had been yesterday; the day his older brother was accused of murdering his best friend; the day Itachi announced he lost faith in the clan; the day he drove a kunai into the family crest.

"Ni-san…"

"Sighing dramatically. What's the problem?" Kakashi inquired, hovering over Kokoa. She sat on a roof, legs hanging over the edge.

"No problem, Kakashi-san."

"I know we aren't conjoined at the hip, but I think I know you well enough, Kokoa, to know that's a faked smile."

"Always so observant," she chuckled slightly. "I'm alright. Just…a bit stressed is all. No worries."

"Aren't you too young to be stressed?"

"Aren't you too old to know what I'm feeling?" she teased.

"I'm not that much older than you."

"Hai, hai."

"Is it boy troubles?" he cooed. "Specifically, Uchiha trouble?"

"No," she mumbled.

"Mmhmm."

"Kakashi-san…"

"I'm looking out for your wellbeing." He shrugged.

"You suck, you do know that, don't you?" She pointed a finger.

"The truth hurts, but what can you do?" he grinned. "So what has the Uchiha prodigy done now? I heard there's a bit of commotion going on behind the closed doors of that clan."

"I don't know what though, and he can't tell me because it's family stuff, you know, and I don't want to be the person that forces it out of him. If it isn't my business then I'll have to get over it."

"Even if you really want to know?"

"Even if I really want to know, Kakashi-san," she sighed.

"I also heard he might be in trouble, or was at least accused of something serious. The details aren't much, but people are talking about him…and about you."

"Me?" She glanced up, pointing to herself.

"Ah. You've been close since the academy, right?"

"Yeah."

"And well, whether you admit it or not, everyone assumes you two are an item. As the girlfriend of the Uchiha prodigy who has recently come under fire, people can't help but wonder what your role in all of this is."

"Are you one those people, Kakashi-san?" She raised an eyebrow.

"I won't lie, I'm curious, but you know I'm not one for drama. It's too much effort," he yawned.

"Of course."
"You two are…what's the word, a couple, aren't you?"

"Weeell…"

"Kokoa."

"If you know the answer, why are you asking?" she pouted.

"Because the look on your face is quite amusing. On a serious note, things could get complicated for Itachi and you. Are you sure you want to go through that?" he questioned.

"I told him I'd always be there. If I left when he was at his lowest, when he needed someone especially because Shisui is gone, I would never forgive myself. People can talk all they want, but I'll stay by his side. I'll follow Uchiha Itachi to whatever end."

"It's so sudden for you to suggest a date like this, but I like it," Kokoa chuckled, walking beside Itachi.

"I was thinking it had been a while since our last outing," he replied. "I am sorry about it being so basic. It was an impulse, no planning. I just wanted to see you."

"It's alright. Some lunch, dango, and a nice walk with you, that's better than all the fancy shmancy eateries. It's just us."

"Ah." He nodded, taking her hand. She glanced him, surprised by his mood. He seemed…lighter. The darkness in his eyes, in his heart, for a moment they were gone and Kokoa saw the boy he was before any of this mess happened. It both warmed and broke her heart, for she knew this mood of his was temporary because he would still go home to his fractured clan, and he would still have to bear the pain of losing his beloved friend.

"Ne, Itachi-san?"

"Hm?"

"We should do something."

"Such as?"

"Let's go on an adventure," she smiled.

"Adventure. Where to?'

"I don't know. Somewhere. Anywhere. Some place far away. Just – just us."

"Just us."

"And Sasuke," she giggled. "Can't forget little Sasuke."

"Of course," he smiled.

"If we were older…maybe it would have been possible, us leaving or doing something other than sitting around."

"Where is this coming from?" he inquired.

"With all that you're going through, and how nothing has changed much for me, I just feel stuck. Sometimes I wish I could erase it all, make it go away so we could just be happy. So you didn't have to carry the burdens of your clan, so I didn't always let people push me around, so we didn't have to be a secret."

"I am sorry," he whispered.

"Don't be. We're shinobi. It's expected. It's probably silly of me to be saying this stuff."

"Everyone has dreams and desires. I am glad you're able to share them with me." They came to a stop.

"I…" She felt herself blush as he pushed the hair from her face, gently pinning it behind her ears. He pressed his lips to her forehead.

"This was nice. This is nice. Just us," he whispered before kissing her full on the lips. It had been a while since he last showed affection this way, but Kokoa didn't complain. As always, she gave in, wanting nothing more than to please and be pleased by him.

"I'm not – if I'm too much," he stopped himself.

"Don't stop," she managed, clinging to him for dear life. "Don't leave." Itachi had no intention of leaving, not this time at least. He wanted this moment to last forever. He wanted Kokoa. He wanted to take her away from town, to be alone, to be there for her in every way. Had it been any other man, perhaps he would have lost all control by now, but Itachi kept his head. He wouldn't take advantage. Although she was a shinobi who had experienced bloodshed and battle, Kokoa still had a naivety about her, and an innocence he wouldn't take. Not now. What mattered the most was making these last moments together count because he was sure these memories would be the only thing he'd have to keep him from going over the edge.

He sat in the dark, back against the wall, staring at Shisui's note. He sat there, hollow. It was done. Uchiha Itachi made his decision and he would act on it tomorrow. There was no going back. As he set down the note, Kokoa picked up the letter at her front door.

"From Itachi? Hmm." She opened it, stepping inside her home.

Kokoa,

Meet me by the lake tomorrow at five. It is very important.

-Itachi

"That's it? No details? I wonder what he needs. Maybe he's going to tell me what's going on. Yeah, it's possible," she muttered to herself, grabbing food from the fridge.

"I guess you'll have to wait and see, Kokoa."

"I'm not too late, am I, Itachi-san? I was at Hokage-sama's office for a report, and I tried getting out early, but you know how he likes to talk, and talk, and talk."

"It's alright." He turned to her.

"I hope you didn't have other plans that you're late to now."

"You're fine, Kokoa."

"Good, good. So I found your note yesterday. What's going on? Did you need something?" she offered.

"To talk."

"Talk? Alright. What about?" she inquired.

"Us."

"Oh?"

"Kokoa…" He met her eyes. "We can't be together anymore."

Her stomach dropped. The thing she feared most was now happening, and she had no clue what to do.

"W – what?" She swallowed hard, pushing the hair from her eyes as a cold wind rushed by.

"My father, he knows about us. He saw us. He's angry, furious, just like I knew he'd be. He doesn't like it one bit."

"I – I know he and I got off on the wrong foot, but – but I'll convince him. We can talk. It'll be ok –"

"Kokoa. We can't."

"But…"

"I have responsibilities to my clan and to my father. You said you understood that. As his oldest son, I'm expected to take his position in the future. I am to lead, to hold a high rank among the Uchiha. You…you aren't an Uchiha. It wouldn't work. They wouldn't let you stand by me."

"I…what if I prove…"

"Clans have their traditions, their customs and ways. No matter what you do, you will always be an outsider. That is a main reason my father is so upset. He believes you don't belong amongst us. He doesn't want you coming around."

"But I promised…do you not want to be with me either?" Her gaze fell to the ground.

"I do, Kokoa. I care about you very much, but like I said, I have responsibilities as a shinobi and as a son. My clan and father, or you. I hate having to choose because I would never want to turn my back on either, but…"

"I know your duties, your position. I understand, but let me prove to them that I'm not worthless, that I'm not some silly girl. I have stayed by your side. I have been there for you. You can't expect me to just leave –"

"But I am, because it isn't going to work. Our plans for the future were nothing more than the impossible dreams of a young couple. That's all they ever were, Kokoa, dreams. Nothing more. We have to face reality now. No more naivety."

"After all we did, after all we went through to make this work, to be there for each other, you can't tell me it's over. You can't decide all on your own!"

"My father is infuriated. If I don't end it, he will, and you do not want that to happen. You said you trusted me, that I knew what was best for our relationship, Kokoa. You went into this knowing what was to come."

"But I never thought we'd have to end the relationship! I knew it would be hard, but this is – Itachi I – I…" She struggled to push those three words out. I. Love. You. She wanted so badly to let go. She fell silent instead.

"We can longer see each other, Kokoa. It was never meant to be. As I said, it was only a dream…nothing more. I have my path, and you have yours. This is it. This is where it ends, where we have to walk away and turn our backs. Don't ever look back. We're never going to see the sun set."

After crying for what felt like an eternity, Kokoa found herself alone on the couch in her empty home. She stared at the hands in her lap. Of course she was upset, devastated, heartbroken, but more than anything , she was angry. Angry that his family controlled everything even down to the girl he wanted to be with. She saw it in his eyes even though he spoke firmly. She saw the sadness, a sadness like never before. She could do what was expected of her; to sit there and take it, to accept the fact that she would never be good enough for Uchiha Itachi, or she could fight.

'I promised to always be by his side, too look after him, to love him.' Her gaze shifted to the framed picture of the two. It was decided.

"I'm marching over tomorrow. I'll confront Fugaku, tell him how much his son means to me. I'll prove that I'm good enough without having the name Uchiha. And most importantly, tomorrow Itachi will know the truth…that I love him more than anything in this world."

He sat in the dark, back against the wall, staring at Shisui's note. He sat there, hollow. It was done. The door slid open. Fugaku stepped in.

"Itachi," he started. The boy looked up, surprised to hear his father's voice so calm.

"I know I didn't confront you about this, especially because of the recent incident, but…I know about you and that girl, that you've been romantically seeing each other."

"I know," he whispered.

"How long has it been?"

"Quite some time now." He eyed the note again.

"I always call her out on her mistakes. She's made a few, and the fact she's so awkward doesn't really help," he stated. Itachi remained silent.

"But she learns from them. She's strong, that girl. Kokoa. She's strong, and devoted to her job…and to you. I know I've been cruel and unfair to both of you about the subject, but…she's good for you, Itachi. She's a good woman to have at your side. I approve."

Leaving it at that, he left his son, sliding the door shut. Throwing his head back, Itachi shoved a hand in his hair, letting out a quiet cry. His breath quickened. Leaning forward, he dropped his head between his knees, fighting with everything in him to keep from breaking down, because if he did...it would all fall apart.

Still in his room, he sat on the floor in the same exact spot, staring at the note again with half lidded eyes.

"Itachi…" Mikoto stood outside the door. "I'll just leave your dinner here," she said, setting it down.

"I know that you're busy with work, but can't you eat dinner with your family at least once in a while?" She rose to her feet, walking off. His eyes fell shut.

"Arigato, Kaasan." The note slipped from his fingers. He stood up, strapping on his guards, his vest, and headband. His eyes snapped open, red with the sharingan. There was no going back.