Disclaimer: I own nothing but the plot and Kudozaki Lucine. The rest belongs to Masashi Kishimoto.

Kudozaki Lucine

When I was asked to take this solo-mission, this wasn't exactly what I expected. This has probably been the most ridiculous mission in my life so far. First, I was personally summoned by the Kazekage, then I was kidnapped and assaulted by Sasuke, later I was proposed to by the older Uchiha, then I was proposed to by the Kazekage.

"At least buy me dinner first." I said dryly, watching how Gaara looked at me questioningly.

Obviously not detecting the sarcasm, he tightened his grip on my hand before saying, "You're hungry?"

I sighed and just shook my head. This guy, who I barely even know, just asked me to marry him. I needed to make him understand what he was saying, because he obviously didn't if he made me come all the way over here for this purpose alone. He looked like he was going to ask me something else, but I interrupted him before he could, "Gaara, what's your favorite color?"

He looked a bit startled at the random question, but answered reluctantly, "…I don't think I have one."

Letting my hand slip away from his grip and taking two steps back to create distance, I spoke bluntly, "I didn't know that, because I don't know you. How can I marry someone I don't even know?"

At that I could visibly see his disappointment, looking a bit crestfallen. But I was only speaking truth, I've barely had a normal conversation with him. At least when Itachi proposed, we were already in a relationship, sort of. Which reminds me, I'm not exactly available. But it's not like I can tell Gaara that.

At that he shook his head and looked at me gently, "That's why I invited you here. We can get to know each other during your stay here."

I was not pleased to hear that, but kept my face impassive. Itachi would definitely not approve of my stay here if he knew of Gaara's intentions. Yet it was one of the safest places for me to be right now, considering my Sasuke-problem.

For some inane reason, Naruto's face came to mind, remembering his blue puppy eyes longingly looking into mine. I had told him I wouldn't be away for long, and he wouldn't want me to stay here either. Wait, why do I care?

Shaking my head mentally to snap out of it, I quickly dismissed the bizarre thought. Obviously, it's best if I stay here. Sasuke wouldn't dare come for me here, not if I'm constantly around the Kazekage. Gaara I could handle, since we would probably just go on dates and "get to know each other." And Itachi would just have to deal with it, it's for my own safety after all. And as for Naruto- ...

Momentarily, my heart clenched with guilt, which made me scowl mentally and scurry to suppress that inconvenient emotion. Naruto would have to deal with it as well. Besides, if he's too upset when I get back, I can just make him lots of ramen and allow him to hold me for a bit, I reassured myself, ignoring the way I made it sound like I owed him.

"For how long?" I asked nonchalantly.

A pleased smile painted his lips as he answered decidedly, "A month."

I scowled, knowing that if I stayed that long then either Itachi or Naruto, or even Sasuke himself, would come barging here and drag me back. "That's too long. I can stay for a week at most."

He didn't look very happy with that and closed the distance between us once again, which startled me a bit and gave him the chance to wrap his hand around the back of my neck,

"No." he had a firm, strong tone, leaving no room for argument which made me tense. Gaara has been nothing but courteous thus far, ignoring the kiss earlier, but he very clearly won't accept my terms. Maybe staying here is a bad idea after all.

Not one to back down, I looked him straight in the eyes and inched closer, "Don't be greedy. Two weeks, then."

His eyes narrowed as he spoke his next words, "I can accept three weeks, but no less, or I'll make it two months. Remember that, officially, this is your mission. Right now, I can make you stay for as long as I please."

Judging from the serious look in his eyes I sincerely doubted he'd let me leave any sooner than three weeks. Honestly, it was surprising how much he had changed from the time I last saw him. The Gaara I met in the chunin exams would probably have threatened to kill me or anything like that to make me stay, but now, he seemed cool and composed, using mere words as his weapon. Hadn't it been for the circumstance, I would have been quite impressed by his display.

Sighing in defeat, I nodded curtly. "Fine. Three weeks."

Is this even legal? Surely, you can't utilize missions for this purpose alone. Besides, my duty is with my own village, not Suna. Then again, the Kazekage is probably permitted to do as he pleases. The Hokage probably didn't want to risk annoying the Kazekage and thus jeopardizing the friendly relations that the two villages had developed so recently. Which means my opinion is irrelevant, I thought bitterly, but couldn't actually fault Tsunade that much.

His pleased smile was back, whatever darkness that lurked beneath those teal eyes was long gone and he now simply looked like a spoiled kid who got what he wanted. I had the childish urge to glare at him, as if that would change the outcome. And it's probably not the wisest course of action, I wouldn't want him to make me stay here for three months.

"Good." he said, and then without any other warning he kissed me, a short peck, but long enough for me to register the heat of his lips. This time I did glare at him and was about to explain that he wasn't allowed to touch me like that, but he was faster. "You will be staying at my place." as he said that his face was back to that blank, indifferent look that I was more familiar with.

Kiss instantly forgotten, I perked up, "Why?"

I shouldn't have asked, was what I thought when I heard his answer. "If we are to be married you should have an idea on what it's like to live with me."

"Great. Will we be sharing a bed and take baths together too?" I snapped, momentarily forgetting his inability to detect sarcasm.

Although his face remained blank, his eyes darkened with a familiar heat, "If you wish it." he said innocently, a ghost of a smile on his lips.

Again, I glared at him, hating his pleased, yet expressionless, look that reminded me so much of myself. Maybe I should just escape.

He gestured to the door, his hand now resting on my shoulder, "Now, how about that dinner?"

Sabaku no Gaara

When Lucine told me that she hated going out to eat, explaining that she's never been in a restaurant that has met her standards, I was curious. I didn't expect her to put so much value in something so trivial as food. It was... cute. It also made me realize that she did have point, we barely knew each other. While I would still marry her in a heartbeat, I recognized her need for at least some sort of familiarity between us first. Temari was right after all, I thought with slight disappointment, and made a mental note to ask for more advice later.

Lucine explained that she always cooks her own meals, which she has done since she was eight years old. Mentally, I figured that was sometime after the Uchiha Massacre. I did not know much about her or her association with the Uchiha clan, but I figured that she used to live with Uchiha Sasuke for a reason.

I was genuinely curious to taste her cooking, so I accompanied her to a grocery store to buy ingredients before I showed her my home, and there she could utilize the kitchen.

My place was truly very simple. It was clean and tidy and didn't look like the type of house that anyone even lived in. Mostly due to the fact that I was barely here, sometimes not even to sleep, because my time was for the most part spent in the Kazekage Tower.

So not exactly cozy, but comfortable and practical. Yet it was relatively spacious and more than big enough to fit two or maybe three people. When I told Lucine that we could get a mansion if she wanted when we got married, she didn't give much of a reaction other than a dry look.

Much like when we first met, Lucine was guarded when expressing her emotions. Although I've noted that she does seem more... wary, for a lack of a better word. Before she seemed apathetic to any outcome in her life, but now it seems like she's taking, well, taking her life more seriously.

Is this the effect of the departure of that Uchiha? I wondered, startled to feel the fierce jealousy course through my system. Good thing he's gone now, or else I might have had competition. The question is if he's gone for good. Surely, he won't think to come back for her after leaving her?

I took a seat by the dining table as I watched Lucine cook. When I offered to help her, she refused and instead made me set the table. When I asked why, she claimed to not like assistance in the kitchen, not trusting anyone's competence but her own, which made me smile in amusement. She's certainly arrogant when it comes to her cooking.

At the moment, she was wearing a yellow apron, one that I didn't even know that I owned. But now I'm grateful to have it, since I got to see her in it. Her movements were swift and graceful, and it was obvious that she was in her element. But watching her cook for me, wearing an apron, her hair tied up, her facial expression relaxed but focused... she looked like a housewife. My housewife.

I inhaled deeply, the want that I've kept contained for so long surfacing again. For a second, I let myself believe that we were already married, and was then struck with the overwhelming urge to reach out and wrap my arms around her waist, leaning my face against the crook of her neck and to check for the intoxicating peach scent clinging to her skin. I had never been much of an affectionate person, or that might have been because I had no one to be affectionate with, yet she's brought out a new side of me.

Soon enough the smell of oyakodon drifted through my nose. It's been a while since I last ate homemade food and I couldn't help but feel at least some sort of excitement. The last time I ate homemade food was when I lived with my siblings, but neither of us were particularly skilled and we always hired someone else to cook for us. And now I couldn't be bothered to cook my own meals, as I could so easily just order take-out.

"Don't you have Kage work to do?" she asked casually, not really seeming interested in the answer.

"I'm taking a three-day vacation, including today, to spend time with you." I said softly, a bit distracted by the way she brushed her bangs behind her ear, it brought attention to her long, slender fingers and the wavy locks of her hair. It was shorter than I remembered, no longer reaching her hips but rather her mid-back, and currently tied back into a messy ponytail.

She didn't give much of a reaction other than a low hum, "Only three days?"

The way she phrased it made it sound like a protest, as if she wanted me to stay longer. "Unfortunately, I have duties. It was hard enough to even get a vacation."

"I suppose I'll only see you at night then." she stated, not sounding delighted or disappointed.

"I'll try my best to come before the afternoon." I said, hoping it to be true. The Council showed a bit more understanding when I explained the reason for my temporary absence, as I am about to spend time with a "marriage candidate." Although I already know that she's the only one that I'll accept as a wife, I'll have no one else.

I've never been interested in girls, until the chunin exams where I met Lucine. And these past years, even without seeing her or even hearing from her, she's been on my mind, or more specifically, my dreams.

My trail of thoughts was halted by Lucine placing two bowls of oyakodon on the table. I noted that there were smaller bowls set on the table, which looked like it contained sauce. There was also a jug of some kind of juice. I hadn't even noticed her preparing any of it.

She removed the apron, and took a seat across from me. When she looked into my eyes I noticed a satisfied look on her face, and I decided then that it was my favorite expression on her face.

"Itadakimasu." I murmured, eager to taste her food. It certainly looked appetizing. Lucine followed my example. I blinked after having the first bite, while staring flabbergasted at the meal. "It's... delicious." And even that seemed like an understatement. It was like tasting a piece of heaven. Every flavor was so perfectly in sync and balanced, and he hurried to take another bite.

"Of course." she said blankly, as if it was simply common sense and pointless to point out the obvious. I smiled again, and kept eating.

If she's been making her own meals since she was a kid... that means that she likely used to cook for the Uchiha guy too. It made me wonder how he could be so foolish. The Uchiha lived with her, had her cook for him, and basically had her all to himself every day. Yet he left voluntarily.

That is, unless he has the intention to take her with him at a later date. Which reminds me... Lucine took much more time than a shinobi usually spends on the travel from Konoha to Suna. What took her so long?

"Did you meet any trouble on your way here?" I asked casually, watching her reaction carefully.

Her chewing halted for a split second and she met my eyes, but other than that her face remained passive. "No." she said smoothly.

For whatever reason, I felt like she was lying. But what I didn't understand was why she would bother to lie. Something must have happened... something that she doesn't want to tell.

Kudozaki Lucine

As I laid in my temporary new bed, I wondered if Itachi would come visit me today. Probably not, since he never comes when I'm on missions. I sighed and turned on my side, looking out of the window that I could barely see in the darkness.

Gaara has turned out to be, surprisingly, pleasant company. At first, I suspected that he would invade my personal space more often, but other than the kisses he stole at the beginning, and the goodnight kiss he managed to sneakily steal earlier, he's been nothing but gentlemanly and mostly quiet. His intense gazes could be distracting at times, but it wasn't overwhelming, like it was with Itachi. In fact, it was kind of flattering, in a strange way.

As if hearing my thoughts, I felt that familiar breeze softly ruffle my hair, and I looked up to see Itachi standing by the foot of my bed. I was mildly surprised, and just a little concerned, "How did you get in?" He wordlessly held up a familiar object, the blue chakra-crystal, which made me nod. "You can't stay long. The Kazekage is sleeping in the other room."

His eyes darkened at that, and he moved around the bed slowly, sitting on the side of the bed while resting a hand on my thigh. I sat up as well to look him in the eye. "Why are you here?" he asked calmly, but that sentence veiled something dangerous. Itachi could be very jealous, and it was clear that he didn't like my presence in another man's home.

I snorted and shook my head, "It's funny, actually. He wants to marry me." The hand on my thigh immediately tightened painfully, which made me flinch a bit. He didn't let go. "Calm down." I sighed in annoyance.

His eyes narrowed as he leaned closer to my face, grabbing my chin softly, his grasp a stark contrast to the dangerous glint in his dark eyes. "Lucine. Why are you still here if that is his motive?" again he spoke calmly.

I knew I shouldn't be intentionally irking him like this, but I had always enjoyed his jealousy. Itachi was always so composed, seeing his façade crack for a bit was always refreshing. "Well, he is handsome. Don't you think we'd make cute babies?"

In an instant, I was pinned to the bed and he was hovering above me. "Say that again, I dare you." He growled threateningly, his eyes no longer hiding the storm, which made shivers travel down my spine. I admit, I might have taken it too far by that comment.

I wrapped my arms around his neck to pull him closer and gave him a mocking smirk. "You're such an idiot. I'm just messing with you." I revealed, laughing silently. "I'm just here for my safety. Sasuke will never give up on finding me, you know that. Besides, I suppose I'm already your fiancée." Again.

Despite my reassurance, the anger in Itachi's eyes hadn't dissipated one bit. He pressed his forehead against mine and closed his eyes. "The power you have over me can be so daunting. Just the thought of you with another man is enough to make me lose my mind." He said quietly, almost sounding like he was speaking to himself. "But if you ever leave me for someone else, Lucine…" he opened his eyes, and I could see he him activate his Sharingan for the briefest moment, "…I think I'll kill you."

Cold chills ran down my back, and I bit my lip in discomfort, for the first time feeling wary of Itachi. It's not like I had the intention of leaving him, but the thought of him, who was such a pacifist despite his bloody history, driven to the point of killing me for that reason alone… It's not like Itachi at all.

I didn't get the chance to respond, because he had captured my lips in a heated kiss. His hands found their way under the duvet to wrap around my waist. I complied, and let him kiss me as long as he wanted. He seemed to be content with just roaming my mouth freely. Or so I thought, until his hands wrapped around my breasts greedily.

Pulling away slowly, I looked up at him with a smirk. "Let's not get ahead of ourselves. I have some questions, regarding you and our supposed engagement." I decided to change the subject, not feeling comfortable thinking about Itachi in such a manner. It's best to forget he said it at all.

He looked disappointed that I halted his movements, if the pouting was any indication, but he still obliged and moved to my side to hold me by my waist instead. Without any warning, he bluntly explained, "You do not need to worry about anyone finding out. We will get married through a blood bond."

I blinked, and stared at him for a long time, waiting for him to wait for him to reveal that it was all some sick joke. However, he didn't, and he just stared back with a perfectly blasé expression. "Oh, you're serious." I deadpanned, wanting to kick him out of the bed. "Whatever this "blood bond" thing is, I want no part in it."

He sighed, and brushed a string of hair behind my ear. "It works like normal marriage, just that we will be tied by blood. It was used during the ancient times by the Uchiha to marry someone outside of the Uchiha clan into their clan. The ritual is very sacred, even Sasuke wouldn't dare touch you after."

The entire thing seemed excessive to me, but the last part made me perk up curiously, "How so?"

"In order to prevent infidelity, the bond was made so that if you were to lay with anyone else after initiating the blood bond, you would be cursed with a deadly disease. It goes both ways, so we will remain together for life. As foolish as my little brother is, I know he would never risk your life, nor his own."

The way he explained it all so calmly made me slightly irritated. While I didn't care about the questionable morality of the bond, what worried me the most was Sasuke's reaction. While I didn't want anything to do with Sasuke ever again, if he found out that I made this bond with his brother, he would… he would do something stupid. "Blood bond? Death? Is this truly the only way to get him to stay away?"

"Otouto has reached a point of no return, I'm afraid. I just regret not seeing the signs sooner…" his eyes saddened after that, and at that moment he looked way older than he was, as if he was carrying a big burden on his shoulders.

My heart clenched painfully at that, not liking that look one bit, and especially not liking that I didn't know the cause of it. "That brings me to my point. You are a man of many secrets, Itachi, and I refuse to marry you if you don't tell me what you're hiding."

He doesn't look very surprised at my ultimatum, but he gave me one of those sad looks again, which only annoyed me more. "I agree, you deserve better than that." He said warmly, kissing the side of my head affectionately. Hadn't I been so surprised that he gave in so easily, I would have moved away from the kiss. "I was planning on telling you one thing today. As a start."

"Really?" I asked in disbelief, and turned to my side so I was facing him now as well. The change of position made him move his hand to my hip to rest there comfortably.

He nodded, but then shifted a bit. His face remained indifferent, but by the subtle furrowing of his eyebrows, I knew he was dreading my reaction to whatever secret he was about to bestow upon me. It was quiet for a while, me waiting for him to finally speak out this terrible secret that he couldn't tell anyone. What he said, I would never have predicted.

"I am dying, Lucine." He said calmly, looking directly into my eyes with a sorrowful look.

My eyes visibly widened, and the new type of fear that started welling up in my chest and abdomen was both foreign and discomforting. I was almost too afraid to ask, "What do you mean by that?"

Itachi continued, "I developed a lung disease about two years ago, and it is only getting worse. I don't know how much time I have left, but I predict two years at most."

A/N: This was originally going to be two separate chapters. But in the end, I decided to make it one big chapter, as an apology for all these delayed updates. I'll try to do better.

No Sasuke in this chapter, but he will be in the next. I will write Lucine's time with Gaara in regulated timeskips, and instead include the events that are the most significant. I have big plans for Gaara, as well as Itachi, which is why this chapter and the next are necessary.

And I also really like Gaara, and couldn't help adding him to Lucine's harem. Naruto is way too cute to not include as well, which is why he has a minor role, but a surprisingly big influence on Lucine (as implied in this chapter).

As for Itachi's illness, not much is known in canon about what kind of illness he has. But judging from his symptoms, I'm guessing tuberculosis, which is probably what I'll be going for in this fanfiction.

I hope you enjoyed this chapter. I would really appreciate it if you left a review.