I know, I know, it's been a while, and I'm really sorry about that. Life got in the way. I'll try to resume updating regularly. Thanks for stopping by :)

He sat in the dark, as usual, twiddling his thumbs, thinking aggressively on what he should do - on what he should do with himself. Sasuke was an Uchiha, so he had no choice but to be involved with the massacre and with Itachi, but Kokoa wasn't. She wasn't from the clan; she didn't know any of their secrets. She was an orphan who grew up on her own and all alone with no one but Itachi to help her smile and beileve in herself. She was a pure girl, innocent, and at times naïve, but Itachi dyed her heart black, and he tore her to pieces, and he left her on the floor without even bothering to clean up the mess, and the fact tortured him.

"Tch..." He rubbed his face with a sigh before leaning over and blowing gently, extinguishing the candle with the dancing flame.

"I'm sorry for getting sick," Kokoa mumbled as she sat nuzzled in the couch.

"I guess it's what happens when you fall asleep in the cold next to big bodies of water," he said dully. Their relationship was much better after Kokoa's break down, but it was obvious she still felt guilty and conflicted, and it was obvious that Sasuke still couldn't understand or accept her feelings for Itachi. Still, they were there for each other, and it was about time the tides turned and Sasuke took care of her for once.

"I didn't do it on purpose."

"I know."

"I'm sorry I can't cook anything."

"I'm a shinobi, Kokoa. I can go a while without a home cooked meal. No big deal, so stop worrying. You'll never get better if you keep working and worrying over things," he explained. She looked away, chewing on her cheek as she remembered once saying the same to Itachi.

"Hai..."

"Try to sleep. Judging by the circles under your eyes and what you've told me, you haven't slept much. You're starting to look like that Gaara guy."

"I'll try," she whispered, feeling her eyes fall slowly and sleep coiling his slends arms around her. Sasuke let his shoulders fall, blowing a strand of hair from his face. How long would it last? How long would they be like this; stuck? Kokoa was miserable, and Sasuke was pretty close. They were happy in the past, right? No. Kokoa just hid her true feelings and Sasuke was too naïve, too young to realize the situation. They were never happpy. Not since Itachi left.

Rushing to her bedroom, he jogged back with a small blanket, gently draping it over the fast asleep girl. He wanted her to be happy...with him. More than anything, but Sasuke new better than to expect that bcause she loved Itachi. How could he expect her to depend on him when he was still so obsessed with revenge? He knew in the future he wouldn't be able to be there for her, not until Itachi was dead.

"Naruto?"

"I heard you were sick, so I stopped by to check on you, Kokoa-chan," he smiled. "I was getting myself a snack, then I grabbed you one. That's why I ran. I didn't want it to melt," he chuckled, handing her the two stick popsicle. She took it with a light laugh.

"Arigato, Naruto. I'm feeling better."

"That's good. So Sasuke is being useful for once."

"For once? If it wasn't for me you'd get your ass kicked on every mission, usuratonkachi," he mumbled.

"Oh, no snack for Sasuke?" Kokoa thought loudly.

"Oops…I didn't think. I was in a rush."

"It's whatever," the Uchiha shrugged.

"Here," Kokoa and Naruto said simultaneously, snapping half of their dessert and holding it out for him. Sasuke eyed Naruto as he gently reached and took the stick from Kokoa. The blond stuck his tongue out before enjoying the rest of it.

"Before it melts," Kokoa chuckled, nudging Sasuke. He smiled a smile Naruto had never seen.

"How come you're nice around her but not anyone else, Sasuke?"

"Hn."

"See? That's what I'm talking about."

"I must be that special," Kokoa shrugged. "Can't help it."

"Must be. Jeez, tehehe." He now eyed the raven haired boy. He was different with Kokoa, so much that even Naruto noticed. Sasuke remained quiet. She was special; always had been.

"Let's all get food!"

"No way, loser."

"I am hungry, Sasuke. And I didn't cook anything from being sick. If you don't want to starve, I suggest taking Naruto up on his offer," she sighed, tugging at his sleeve as she rose to her feet.

"Tsk, fine."

"This will be fun," she smirked, throwing arms around both boys.

"I can't believe we're actually doing this," Sasuke muttered with his arms crossed over his chest. Kokoa blew a strand of hair from her face, happy to get some fresh air. Naruto shook his head.

"Am I that bad, Sasuke?" he inquired. The Uchiha looked over, not saying anything. He didn't hate Naruto. Not at all. If anything he was jealous; jealous of his growth, his determination, and heart.

"Is that…?" Kokoa paused, squinting to make out the figure in the distance.

"I think it is. Ooooiiii! Kakashi-sensei!" Naruto shouted, waving both hands to grab his attention. The sensei strolled over soon enough.

"Kokoa, long time no see," he smiled. "How have you been?"

"You know…around," she shrugged. "I got sick – still am. Naruto suggested getting a bite. Join us?"

"Oh I would, but I have something I need to take care of," he explained. "I'll take a rain check. Some other time."

"Yeah, yeah. Off to read that pervy book I bet," Naruto sneered.

"Sounds good," Kokoa said softly. "Some other time."

"Ja ne." He was off.

"You didn't bring your jacket?" Sasuke sighed, leaning back on his stool.

"I didn't think it'd be cold out."

"It isn't, but you're shaking."

"The ramen is warming me up. I'll be fine," Kokoa assured him as she sat between the boys. Naruto scarfed down bite after bite, making the others wonder if he'd ever come up for air.

"That was delicious! Old man, another please!"

"Hai!"

"Someone loves their ramen. I almost forgot." Kokoa chuckled.

"Mhm – oh? Look, Sasuke. It's Sakura-chan," he pointed out. Sasuke closed his eyes with a sigh.

"Sakura-chan! Over here!"

"Naruto – Sasuke-kun!" she giggled, stepping into the shop. Her gaze fell on Kokoa.

"Sakura, this is Kokoa-chan. You've seen her before."

"It's nice to meet you."

"Likewise," Kokoa replied, unable to keep Sasuke's opinion of the girl out of her head. She managed a smile out of kindness and courtesy.

"Sit down. Have some food," Naruto offered.

"Hmm, I was only about to go home, but that can wait. Why not?"

"You can sit here –"

"So, Sasuke-kun, anything new?" she plopped down beside him. Naruto let his shoulders fall in defeat.

"Well this sucks…"

Naruto spent the rest of the time eating away his feelings, Sakura talked, and talked, and squealed, and talked, and Sasuke sat quietly with his jaw clenched. Kokoa lost interest a long time ago. It was nice going out for a bit, a change of scenery, especially with the two boys she was fond of, but she grew tired quickly and not just from being sick. All she wanted now was her bed and the dark. Smiling took too much energy. Having fun – or trying to required effort. There's also the fact Sakura hadn't…stopped…talking…

Sasuke leaned towards Kokoa, praying that doing so would somehow save him from his pink haired teammate. A sign at last. Kokoa leaned forward, coughing into her fist.

"You ok?" Naruto asked, facing her with concerned eyes.

"Yeah, I'm fi –" She coughed again, harder, louder, and some of it was real.

"You don't sound ok –"

"She's been sick," Sasuke interrupted Sakura. "I should take you home. It's getting dark and cold. That's the last thing you need," he jumped at the chance to get out.

"Oh but we're having fun," Kokoa protested, just to tease him.

"I've had all the fun I can handle. Let's go." He grabbed her arm and started off.

"She's so weird. She barely said anything," Sakura hummed.

"But she's nice."

"And they live together, right? I still don't know what that's all about. He couldn't possibly be seeing her…could he? Oh no, Sasuke-kun's fallen for an older woman!"

"Now, now, Sakura-chan, they have a history. She's been around Sasuke and his family since he was a kid. There's a lot of stuff that happened."

"Oh. Still, their relationship is just so mysterious and strange."

"Ask her about it."

"Wouldn't that be random? And nosey?"

"Never stopped you before."

"Naruto…"

"Hehe, sorry, sorry."

"Took you long enough to get us out of there," Sasuke commented.

"I was annoyed too, but you just can't leave people like that."

"This coming from the girl who hates everyone."

"Naruto is the sweetest soul. He has a pure heart. And Sakura…well she means well. Besides, I don't hate everyone…everyone hates me."

"I didn't mean it –"

"You're fine," she assured him. "I'm really tired though, and half of that coughing fit was real, so perhaps I should get some sleep before I cough up a lung."

"You won't be able to sleep. You took a three hour nap earlier."

"I can try," she said with a shrug.

"I need to get to bed too. Mission tomorrow. Not looking forward to it."

"That's the spirit, Sasuke," she sighed.

"Well night, Kokoa."

"Oyasumi, Sasuke." She started off.

"Kokoa?"

"Hm?" She paused.

"I know it was hard, but seeing you like that today, laughing a little, smiling just a bit…it's like a part of the old you."

"Oh?"

"I miss you."

"I miss me too."

Sasuke was right. There was no way Kokoa would fall asleep in the next two hours or so. Throwing the covers off of her in a fit of frustration, she sat up, brushing away a few runaway tears. She'd do anything to be the old Kokoa again, but it was simply impossible. With things staying the way they were now, there was no way she'd ever come back, no way Kokoa would ever move on. And as much as she wanted to feel better and live again, she also didn't want to let Itachi go. As always, it was Kokoa fighting and suffering against her own internal battles, all alone, silently.

She crawled over to the window, cracking it open just a bit. A tender smile graced her lips at the memory of how Itachi would gently climb in, slipping off his shoes at times before stepping onto her bed, back in her old apartment.

"How could such a sweet boy make such a big mess?" she whispered, gazing out into the dark, thinking that if she waited long enough and looked hard enough she'd see the love of her heart.

Slipping outside, he looked up, surprised to feel the cold rain falling against his skin. Itachi popped the collar of his cloak as he ventured out into the night unknown to anyone. Sitting in his room and thinking it over, he felt it was something he had to do. It was only right, fair. It hurt too much. It hurt more than anything.

He paused, a foot squising in the mud, and discretely slid a kunai from his sleeve. Furrowing his brow, he turned.

"Kisame?"

"Fancy meeting you here, no?" the swordsman smirked, digging Samehada into the mud to lean on. Itachi let down his gaurd, putting away the knife. He stood there, shoulders down with half lidded eyes.

"This is where we talk," Kisame pushed.

"You knew I left?"

"To be honest, I didn't sense you at all. You did a perfect job of leaving like that, but I did see you sitting on the edge of your bed by that candle the way you usually do when you're thinking of seomthing serious. I figured you were planning something, so when I checked on you earlier, it turned out I was right. So, what brings you out here in this miserable weather?"

"I needed..."

"Hmm? Don't try lying, Itachi-san. We both know I'll see through any excuse you throw at me. Besides, if you're honest now I won't have to go behind your back and question where your loyalties lie."

"I know."

"Is it Konoha?"

"Not at all."

"Then it must be that girl...Kokoa," he said. Itachi sighed, shrugging because there was nothing else he could do.

"What about her then, Itachi-san? Do you still -"

"Love her."

"Oh, how interesting," he grinned, eager for more. "Go on."

"I loved her dearly – since we were children. She was always by my side. I don't regret the massacre, and I don't regret Akatsuki, but I wish more than anything she was here by my side where she belongs. Didn't you say once, we all have something we hold dear, even those who do the things we do?"

"Something along those lines."

"Is it wrong for someone like me to still want a person like her?"

"I don't think. If she's been by you all this time and on your mind even now, she must have understood you like on one else, listened to you when others didn't. You might have killed off your own flesh and blood, but like you once said, we're all human. You're human."

"Kisame-san..."

"Were you going to go after her?"

"At first, but I wouldn't know how to approach, what to say or do. Besides, it turns out she's already in a lot of trouble for ever associating with me. I'd make things worse, if that's possible. I made her life hell."

"Well if it's that bad, why not save her? Be the hero just this once. Win the girl," he cooed. Itachi swallowed hard. Kokoa would follow him if he asked. He knew. He saw it in her eyes when they met, but would he really do it? Would he take her away from everything she knew, from her home? From Sasuke? Could he be selfish just this once?

"If you're going, I suggest going now and fast. I can only cover for you for so much, you know," Kisame stated.

"Why are you willing to go so far for me?"

"You've been a good partner, Itachi-san. We all have personal matters, business of or own we need to settle, so just this once I'll look the other way."

With only a nod of his head, Itachi turned on his heels and disappeared into the night.