This is a chapter I originally published on Itachi's actual birthday back in June, hence it being a birthday special sort of thing, BUT it's a flashback and I've gotten a lot of feedback from you guys saying you like the flashbacks, especially the ones with Shisui! So here you go. The next chapter is when things start to shift. Big news for Kokoa, changes are coming, and I'm aiming to jump to Shippuden right after chapter 50 and that means a lot more Itachi. So we're close! Thanks again for the reviews and follows. Arigato!

"What's got you looking so sad?"

"Shisui-san?" Kokoa glanced up, surprised to see the older boy approaching her, a hand stuffed in one pocket, the other combing through his always wild curls.

"That'd be me," he said with a grin. "You all right?"

"Mm," she said, nodding.

"Come now, I've been around you enough to know when you're lying, Ko-ko-aaaa. What's wrong?"

"It's nothing too serious. I'm just bummed is all. Tomorrow is Itachi-san's birthday, you know."

"Is it already? That old man," he chuckled.

"But he told me not to plan anything. He stressed it, making me promise I wouldn't do anything. I don't know why he's so –"

"Uptight?"

"Not the word I'm thinking of."

"Weird? Creepy? Boring?"

"He thinks I go out of my way for him, and I do sometimes, but it's in a good way. I just like making him happy," she smiled. "It's not like I'm hurting myself just so he can benefit, you know. I don't mind doing things for him. It makes me happy too. I wanted to treat him to birthday dango of course, and a small present, and to just celebrate a little. Nothing huge."

"He's just too nice. He feels guilty for dragging you around and then disappearing for days, so when you do something really special, it kind of eats at him. Like I said, guilt. He made you promise not to do anything, huh?"

"Yeah. I can't go back on my word." She shrugged with a sigh.

"Well I didn't promise that punk anything, so leave it to me. I'll arrange something small and fun for the three of us. How's that sound?"

"Shisui-san? If it's too much trouble –"

"Not at all. He's a brother to me after all. Besides, I know you want him to be happy. I'll help you any time you need, Kokoa. I've told you before, you're good for him, and I'm glad you love him…even though I can't tell him you do," he pouted in the end.

"And you won't tell him, ever. I'll be the one to do so."

"Hai, hai. I'll do a little planning and get back to you later."

"Arigato, Shisui. It means a lot."

"Don't worry about it. You'll just owe me one later, Kokoa," he grinned, patting her head playfully.

"Hai, hai."

"Ni-san!"

"Huh?" Itachi paused in the hallway, eyes fixed on a charging Sasuke. He of course didn't move out of the way. Sasuke leapt forward, clinging onto his older brother.

"Sasuke, what are you doing?" He looked down with a wide smile.

"Tanjoubi omedetou, Ni-san!"

"Oh?"

"It's your birthday!"

"Hmm, I guess it is."

"Mhm!"

"So where's my present, Sasuke?" he inquired.

"Present?" The child pulled away, horrified. "Um…" He fiddled with his thumbs. Itachi crouched down to his level, flicking his forehead.

"No present on my birthday? Foolish little brother," he teased.

"I didn't know what to get! You're weird, Ni-san," he mumbled.

"Oi, I'm only kidding, Sasuke. I don't need a present. Having you around is all I need." He swept him up in his arms. "Arigato, Sasuke."

"This is what I mean when I say you're weird, Itachi!" He struggled in his hold.

"I can't help it. It's how I am. Now let me hug you."

"Go hug Kokoa," he whispered. Itachi dropped his brother gently. Sasuke's butt hit the floor with a thud.

"Sneaky, Sasuke. That's none of your business."

"Yes it is. You two told me about it. I'm part of the relationship."

"Is that so?" Itachi scanned the hall. Fugaku was out that day, but he still felt the need to check.

"Mhm."

"Sasuke, I'm going to –"

"Oh, Shisui. Long time no see," Mikoto's voice sounded in the other room. The brothers fell quiet and strolled over.

"Shisui-san!" Sasuke raced over.

"Easy, Sasuke," Itachi warned.

"It's ok. I can take it!" Shisui laughed as Sasuke ran into him.

"What brings you here?" Mikoto inquired. Itachi eyed his friend.

"May I borrow Itachi? A friend and I threw together some small birthday celebrations. We'll have him home by dinner."

"Yes! Go, Itachi. You don't have enough fun. Enjoy your birthday with your friends," she urged. She met Shisui's eyes, both smirking, both aware that Kokoa was involved. "So go, my dear." She dragged him over, nearly pushing him out the door.

"Fine, fine," he sighed. "Sorry, Sasuke. I'll be back soon."

"What for, Ni-san?"

"To beat you up. You didn't get me a present, remember?"

"Eh…"

"Let's go!" Shisui led him out.

"Are you quiet because you're angry or because you're always quiet?" Shisui said, not looking back at his friend as he dragged him through the village.

"Because I have an idea of what's going on, but at the same time I don't," Itachi replied.

"Just go with it. It'll be fine."

"Shisui, you didn't ha –"

"There she is! Oi! Kokoa!" He sang her name in the end, waving obnoxiously. She hopped over with a smile, three balloons in hand.

"Kokoa," Itachi sighed. She opened her mouth to protest, but Shisui stepped in instead.

"I'll handle him. Listen, Tachi," he said, poking his chest with a finger. "She didn't come crying to me, I promise. I spotted her all sad and upset and asked why. Apparently a grumpy, little brat named Itachi didn't want his girlfriend doing anything for his birthday. Care to explain?" He crossed his arms.

"I just didn't want her going out of her way for something silly," he said with a shrug.

"See?" Shisui turned to Kokoa. "I told you, guilt."

"I just…" He let his shoulders fall in defeat.

"It's no trouble at all, Itachi-san. I like doing things like this. They make you happy, and well, me too," Kokoa said softly. Shisui leaned close to his friend.

"You go out of your way for those you love."

"Hm?" Kokoa glanced between the two.

"Just a dumb guy joke. Sorry," the older Uchiha chuckled, glad she hadn't heard. Itachi stood silently, momentarily frozen by Shisui's words.

"Otanjoubi omedetou gozaimasu, Itachi-san," she said with a nod.

"Kokoa…" He turned his face shyly, reaching out to grab her hand. "Arigato, Kokoa."

"That's more like it!" Shisui cheered. "So how about some dango, because we all know Itachi can't live without the stuff, and let's see what kind of lame birthday fun we can have before you have to run home."

"Sounds like a plan."

"Yosh!"

"And then we – we –" Shisui nearly fell over in a fit laughter, trying to tell Kokoa a story about him and Itachi doing something very stupid, something Itachi wanted to forget so bad that he stood off to the side, face turned, cheeks red, begging his friend to stop. Kokoa held her sides, laughing just as hard. Itachi loosened, smiling softly at the sound of her laughter.

"Itachi." The three fell quiet, turning to see Fugaku. "It's almost time for dinner. Let's head home."

"Fugaku-san," Shisui said with a wave. He replied with a wave of his own before his eyes landed on Kokoa. She nodded out of respect, remaining quiet. He also nodded, something she hadn't expected.

"I guess I have to go now. Thank you, both of you," Itachi said. "I mean it. Today was great."

"I'm glad," Kokoa smiled.

"Now go eat, that is unless the dango's spoiled your appetite." Shisui punched him playfully. "Take care, Tachi."

"Sayonara." He jogged off to walk home with his father.

"What are you running around with Shisui and the Kuroki girl for?" Fugaku inquired.

"They wanted to treat me for my birthday."

"Oh yeah?" He raised an eyebrow. "Happy birthday, Itachi." He threw an arm around his son, walking side by side down the quiet road, the sun setting in the distance.

Stepping into his room, he paused, eyeing the row of…odd objects lined up on the bed.

"Sasuke?"

"Ni-san, there you are," he said, popping out of nowhere.

"What's all this?"

"I felt bad because I didn't know what to get you for your birthday, so I dug around for some stuff. This is my lucky kunai. Maybe it'll be lucky for you too. Or here's Mr. Roary." He held up his green dinosaur. "But maybe you won't like him so much," he said, not wanting to part with the toy.

"Sasuke."

"And I have –"

"Sasuke, I was kidding about a gift. Really, I'm fine."

"But I wanted to get you something you love, Ni-san."

"I love you, silly." He flicked his forehead.

"You know what I mean."

"Fine, fine. Hmmm." Itachi rubbed his chin in thought. "I love dango."

"That's right! I have some money saved up. Ni-san, let me treat you to dango!"

"Hai, hai. Sure, Sasuke. It'll be fun."

"Mhm!" He tackled his older brother. "Happy birthday, Ni-san!"

"Hm?" Kokoa, stopped in her room, swearing she heard a sound. She neared the window, eyes widening at the hand pushing it open. She stepped back in surprise.

"Itachi-san?"

"Yo, Kokoa," he said with a smile, one foot inside her room, the other dangling outside.

"It's late. Why are you out?" She stepped over.

"I wanted to properly thank you for today."

"Oh it's nothing –"

"Kokoa." He leaned over, cupping her face with his right hand, holding onto the edge of the window with his left. He kissed her softly. "I just wanted to say thank you."

"Hmm," she hummed shyly.

"I need to go though."

"Of course, no worries."

"Oyasu." He started to leave.

"Itachi-san?"

"Hm?"

"I…" She bit her lip. Why was it so hard to get those words out, those three simple words? "I – I'm glad. I'm glad you had fun. I'm glad you're happy."

"Ah." He smiled. "Goodnight."

"Goodnight." She shut the window after him. "I love you…"