A.N. Here is the third chapter!

Disclaimer: I do not own either Inuyasha, Naruto, and the characters and plots associated with them. I also do not own any of the characters from Yu Yu Hakusho that may be used in the future. They belong to their respective authors Rumiko Takahashi, Masashi Kishimoto, Yoshihiro Togashi.

Kagome: 8

Sasuke: 6

Itachi: 11

Shisui: 16

Chapter Three: My Dearest Friend

Kagome sighed as she sat on the park swing, alone.

The one time she decides not to go along with Naruto's latest prank so she could get some training done, he just had to go and get himself caught. And by Iruka-Sensei no less.

He was supposed to meet her at the park after her training session so she could help him with his homework.

Ever since the blond started the academy that winter, he had been getting into trouble non-stop. Instead of participating with him like she used to, she's had to tag along with him just to keep him from getting into bigger trouble.

'This is ridiculous,' she groaned in her mind as she kicked the dirt with her sandal clad feet.

Now what was she supposed to do? She had already gotten most of her assignments done in class and she didn't feel like finishing them up at the moment.

Naruto probably wouldn't be back until dinner so that meant she had two hours to kill. She didn't feel like going home just yet since everyone said they would be out.

Just as she pondered on what to do, her vision became dark by a pair of hands blocking her eyes.

"Guess who~," the teasing voice sounded beside her ear.

"Shisui-kun!" Kagome whirled around to face him as she said the older boy's name in delight.

"What are you doing here? Didn't you have training with your squad?" The Uchiha did say that they would be busy all week.

"The Hokage assigned me to help Itachi get settled into the Anbu. He'll be training under me for a couple of weeks until they assign him to a squad," he replied. The younger Uchiha had just been admitted into the Anbu and today was just introductions and learning the works.

At the mention of Itachi's name, Kagome looked around.

"Where is Itachi?" If they were together the whole day, shouldn't he be with him right now?

Shisui chuckled at her cute expression, her face looking like a curious cat. "He went back home to change out of his uniform," he explained as he ruffled her hair. Ignoring her complaints, he continued, "So what have you been up to, Neko-chan?"

"Ugh…I told you not to call me that, Shisui-kun," she whined. She could handle Naruto calling her 'Kag-chan' since he was younger than her, but hearing older boy call her that embarrassing nickname was mortifying.

"I can't help it. You're just too cute. Like a little kitten." His comment made her face grow redder from embarrassment, hoping someone didn't hear.

Shisui was always such a tease.

"Well?" Shisui waited for her reply to his earlier question.

Kagome sighed, remembering why she was sitting alone in the first place.

"I was supposed to help Naru-kun with his homework, but he went and got caught during one of his pranks. He probably won't be back until dinner since Iruka-Sensei was the one who caught him," she grumbled in annoyance. "Now I'm bored with nothing to do."

Shisui nodded in understanding, seeing her dilemma. He decided to help. "How about you come back to the Uchiha compound with me?" he asked and watched the young heiress perk up.

"Really?" she asked.

"Why not? Itachi's free for the rest of the day and Sasuke would be happy to see you. You both go to the academy now, but Sasuke complains that he hardly gets to spend time with you." He noted the way her expression changed at the mention of Itachi's little brother, making him curious.

"What's wrong?" She sighed, knowing he saw her change in mood.

"Sas-chan and Naru-kun got into a fight after class and I intervened. He thinks I'm siding with Naru-kun over him." Ever since Kagome had introduced the two to each other, Sasuke insulted the boy every chance he got and refused to let him near her when he was with her. Naruto wasn't helping the situation either. They seemed to always show animosity towards each other whenever they crossed paths. It was even worse when they found out they would be in the same class at the academy. They used every opportunity to antagonize each other. "I don't understand why they hate each other so much…" She sighed in defeat.

Shisui had a pretty good idea why the boy was acting the way he was.

Sasuke was jealous.

It was as simple as that. Finding out that someone had been taking away Kagome's time from him and his brother made him jealous. That someone being a boy made it even worse. And of course, not only was Kagome's time taken away from him, she kept on referring to the younger Uchiha with what Sasuke complained was a 'girly nickname'.

He knew of the younger Uchicha's crush on the older girl and found it hilarious to see him acting all jealous and territorial.

He was only six for heaven's sake.

Sasuke himself didn't even realize the crush he had on the cute Higurashi heiress. And Kagome, well, it was funny to see how the girl could be so oblivious to the whole thing.

Despite finding the whole situation amusing, he decided to help his little friend out.

"Then now would be a great time to talk to him." Hearing his words, she blinked at Shisui's back as he crouched down in front of her.

"Hop on. It'll be quicker this way." He smiled as her expression turned to excitement before she did as he said.

Doing the hand signs, he performed his famous Shunshin no Jutsu, laughing when Kagome squealed in delight as they seemed to vanish before reappearing in front the Uchiha main house.

Setting the eight-year-old down, Shisui went to knock on the front door and waited patiently as Mikoto answered.

"Shisui-kun. Kagome-chan! What a pleasant surprise," she greeted them with a bright smile as she welcomed them into the house.

"Hello, Mikoto-san," Kagome greeted back as the older teen did the same.

They took off their shoes at the front door before following Itachi and Sasuke's mother into the kitchen. They sat down at the table as Mikoto prepared some tea for her guests.

"I haven't seen you for a while Kagome-chan. Have you been busy with your studies and training?" At her nod she continued, "Itachi will be out of the shower soon and Sasuke is out back," she told her, not missing the slight nervousness the girl was radiating at the mention of her youngest.

Interesting.

Seeing the girl's hesitation, Shisui added, "You should go see Sasuke out in the back until Itachi's done, Neko-chan." Seeing her twitch and blush from embarrassment at the name, he smiled. "I'm sure Sasuke has a lot to talk about."

The teen chuckled as Kagome quickly agreed and left while grumbling about how mean he was.

The two watched her leave amused as she seemed to steel her nerves before heading out towards the back porch. Turning back to face Mikoto, his face turned serious.

Mikoto saw his expression. "While I am always happy to see you drop by, Shisui, I know you didn't come just to say 'hi'." She waited for him to reply.

He nodded at her words. "I need to speak with Fugaku-sama later. The Hokage has requested his presence concerning the clan…"

Kagome grumbled as she went out to the back porch. The air was still a little chilly with spring just around the corner. She began to feel nervous once again as she saw Sasuke in the yard immersed in his shuriken practice. She steeled her nerves before calling out to the younger boy.

"Sas-chan."

Sasuke paused in his throwing as he heard the older girl call out to him. He looked up to see her standing on the edge of the porch with a nervous smile.

"Why are you here? I thought you'd be with the dobe," he grumbled as he crossed his arms.

"Naru-kun is not a dobe, Sas-chan," Kagome sighed. Yep. He was still angry with her. "And he's currently in detention with Iruka-Sensei." She frowned as she heard the boy's comment.

"Tch. That's just like him to get in trouble," Sasuke scoffed at the blond's stupidity. He always got into trouble at the academy. Not that he cared.

He was still mad at Kagome for what happened earlier.

The dobe had started arguing with him after class had ended when Kagome came in to stop them.

"Stop it you two!" She got between the two and pushed them apart from each other.

"But Teme started it!" Naruto glared at Sasuke as he rubbed his sore cheek.

"Dobe." Sasuke had a warning tone as he glared back at the blond.

"I don't care who started what! No one ended it so you're both at fault," she reprimanded the two as she looked at them both. "Why can't you guys just get along?" she asked, frustrated at their animosity toward each other.

"It's not my fault he doesn't want to get along. He's the one acting like a teme." Naruto pointed a finger at him, flinching when she called to him in warning at the name calling. Honestly, he had no problem with becoming friends with him at first, but if he kept on acting like that, there was no way they were going to be buddies.

"It's not my fault you're a dobe," Sasuke bit out as he crossed his arms. As if he could be friends with him when he always took Kagome's attention.

"Sasuke! Naruto never did anything to you." She couldn't understand why he acted like he hated the blond. However, she was shocked at his next words.

"It's always 'Dobe this' and 'Dobe that'. You're never on my side, always his!" He couldn't contain it any longer.

Kagome gasped in shock at his outburst, feeling hurt that he thought like that. "Sas-chan! That's not true!"

"…Forget it. I'm leaving." He turned around, ignoring her calls as he ran out of the academy grounds, leaving them alone. Ignoring the looks from the other kids, he shoved away the guilt as he remembered the hurt expression on her face.

Now, he didn't want to face her.

He didn't know how to face her after that.

"Sas-chan." Said boy refused to face her as she called out to him.

Kagome sighed at his stubbornness, before getting an idea. "I guess I'll just leave, since you don't want to talk to me. And I came all the way here to see you…" she stated, though it was actually Shisui's suggestion.

Sasuke became conflicted once she said that, wondering whether he should tell her to stay or just let her leave.

Just as she turned around to go inside, a small hand grabbed the back of her shirt, ceasing her movements. She turned back and saw Sasuke's head was down while a blush was forming on his cheeks.

"Don't go." His voice was so small, she had to strain to hear it.

It was rare to see Sasuke act so pitiful and beg for something, so she smiled before taking his hand in hers and had them both sit down on the porch. They sat in silence trying to think of where to begin.

"I'm sorry, Sas-chan."

"I'm sorry Kagome." They both said in unison before staring at each other. She giggled at that before hugging him and repeated her apology.

"I'm sorry I didn't know how you felt." She said before letting go of him to continue. "But that still doesn't explain why you've been acting like this the whole time." She waited for him to answer.

"I don't like him," he blurted out after a moment of silence.

Kagome blinked at the outburst before asking, "You mean Naruto? Why?" There must have been some reason.

"He's a dobe." The explanation caused the girl's brow to twitch in annoyance.

"Sas-chan." She warned in exasperation before continuing, "You guys have been going at it ever since you met each other. I don't understand why you hate each other so much. I introduced you guys so that you could be friends." She paused remembering how Sasuke had gotten angry and insulted the blond when he tried to shake his hand. That had been their first meeting.

"You always call me Sas-chan."

"Huh?" Kagome looked confused at Sasuke's words.

"I hate it when you call me that. You never call the dobe with such a girly name," he continued, all the pent-up emotion finally bursting. "I hate it when he hogs you all the time. He's always clinging onto you whenever he shows up. He's loud, annoying, never knows when to get a clue….and you like him better than me!" he finished, fisting his hands as he glared at the ground.

Kagome looked at him in shock. "Why didn't you say anything before?" She had no idea Sasuke felt that way.

"…I thought you wouldn't like me anymore…" Sasuke turned his head away from her as he admitted it.

Kagome, hearing his confession, wrapped her arms around the younger boy and hugged him tightly.

"I could never hate you." Her voice came out softly as she continued. "You're my precious friend. And so is Naru-kun." She let go of the boy and looked at him with a smile. "You guys are like family to me. I love both of you the same, silly!" she stated as she patted his head. "No more, no less."

Her words caused Sasuke to blush as he pushed her hand off his head in embarrassment.

"Why didn't you ever say anything about the way I called you before?" Kagome was curious. She always called him that for as long as she could remember. He never seemed to have a problem with it before. Of course, she thought, Sasuke did look as pretty as a girl when he was just a baby. Heck, she still thought he was very cute.

But she'd keep that to herself.

He ducked his head at the question. "That's when I was little. I'm not a baby anymore. I'm training to be a shinobi…We're not supposed to have girly nicknames," he explained. It was true that he hadn't minded her calling him that when they were younger, but that was before he realized he was the only boy she addressed with "-chan" at the end. That was something people used for girls and babies. He was already six.

Even the dobe wasn't called like that. That itself made it even more mortifying.

"I just want to be called by my name. Like the way you call Aniki," he said, looking up at the girl.

Kagome, realizing how serious he was, nodded her head. "Alright, Sas-ch—Sasuke," she corrected herself.

She felt relieved when Sasuke beamed at her from just saying his name alone. "You still have to make up with Naru-kun."

"…Do I have to?" You could hear him pouting.

"Sasuke." Her voice sounded exasperated.

"Kagome. Otouto."

The two looked to the doorway to see Itachi standing there, fresh from the shower. He had a towel draped around his shoulders as his hair was still a little damp from being washed.

"Aniki!" Sasuke smiled as he went to hug his brother.

"Hey Itachi." Kagome patted the spot next her as Itachi came over to sit down. "Congratulations on becoming an Anbu," she said as she beamed at his achievement.

"…Shusui told you." It wasn't a question.

"Ah." She confirmed. "Why didn't you tell me it was today?" she asked, feeling left out for not knowing today was his first day.

"You were busy. I was going to tell you later today," he explained.

Looking at his little brother he said, "Why don't you go greet Shisui and see what Kaa-san is making for dinner, Otouto?"

Sasuke agreed with an enthusiastic nod as he got off his brother's lap. With Sasuke going back into the house, the two friends were left alone in silence.

"Sasuke seems to be in a better mood," Itachi commented after a moment.

Kagome rubbed her head sheepishly. "Hehe…yeah. We kind of had an argument today," she explained and smiled as she continued. "But we made up so it's okay now. The only thing left to do is get him and Naruto to stop their fighting…" she muttered the last part, hoping Sasuke would at least stop antagonizing the blond.

Itachi nodded in agreement, having heard her words.

They let silence reign over once again, comfortable to just sit there

"You're going to be busier, aren't you?" This time Kagome broke the silence as she looked at the older boy.

"Ah." Itachi faced the younger girl, needing to say no more.

Kagome could only sigh in response.

"Lately, we haven't been able to meet up as much. Now that you're in Anbu, it's probably going to get worse," she said dejected. "I don't understand why Fugaku-san is pushing you so hard. You're already the best. You became a jounin only a year after you took the chuunin exams." She raised her hand and touched the tear troughs under his eyes. "You haven't even been able to have a decent break, Itachi," she said as her brows furrowed with worry.

Itachi grabbed her hand and held onto it. "I'm fine," he assured with a small smile, trying to ease her worry.

"No, you're not, Itachi. And don't try to deny it." She retorted. She placed both hands on the side of his face and made him face her completely. "You might be a child genius, but you can't fool me. You haven't been getting enough sleep, have you?" she deadpanned.

"…"

"Itachi." She felt exasperated.

Standing up, she pulled them both along, passing Sasuke as he talked with Shisui and telling Mikoto they were going to Itachi's room before dragging the older boy down the hall.

"Don't do anything funny in there, Neko-chan~" the two blushed at Shisui's teasing as Mikoto chided him, though the woman herself had let out a few giggles. Sasuke just looked on, confused.

Sliding the door open, she closed it shut once they were inside and pulled him along until they were at his bed.

"You're going to take a nap right now," she commanded as she sat down on the bed and looked at him.

"You're not going to let up until I do," he sighed before laying down on the bed beside his friend.

"You bet I won't—oomph!" she yelped as she was pulled down to lay next to the boy.

"If I'm going be forced to sleep, you have to do the same," he reasoned, smiling at her annoyed expression.

"Fine," she agreed and turned over to face her friend fully. She stared at the older boy as she idly twisted a lock of his hair between her fingers. "…I missed you, Itach," she admitted after a moment of silence. It was the truth. She hadn't seen her friend for over a month because of his missions and preparing for his acceptance into Anbu.

"I missed you too." Itachi replied as he stared into her eyes. Kagome wasn't the only one feeling lonely. They had known each other ever since they could remember. Their mothers had been close friends and with their clans having close ties with each other, it was only natural for the two to become close.

Though he was the older of the two, Kagome had followed him everywhere and made it her mission to make him happy while others avoided him for being "better" than them. There was hardly a day when she didn't come to see him.

However, ever since he passed the chuunin exams, their time together had become few and far between. For the past year, his schedule had been getting busier and busier as he went up the ranks. He might have been a child prodigy, but the constant training and missions had left him emotionally drained as he had not been able to interact with his family and friends as much lately.

Though he would be spending more time with Shisui for now while training under him, the same couldn't be said for Kagome. There would be less time for them to meet up like this as both had different schedules.

He felt guilty.

Because of his duties to the clan and the village, he had been neglecting his time with his most important people. He knew how his otouto complained of not being able to spend much time with him and he regretted it a lot.

Kagome, however, was different. She rarely said anything and just enjoyed the few moments they could spend together; whether training, reading, talking, or just basking in each other's presence. This was the first time she truly voiced how she felt.

Pulling her into a hug, he wrapped his arms tightly around her and buried his face in her hair.

"I'm sorry," he mumbled into her soft locks, trying to convey how truly sorry he felt.

"Even though it's not really your fault, I forgive you," Kagome teased, trying to lighten the mood.

It seemed to have worked as Itachi cracked a small smile as he released her from the embrace.

She giggled, happy to see his mood lifted before she quieted in thought.

"Itachi?" Kagome asked after a moment of silence.

"Hmm?"

"We're best friends, right?" Seeing him nod, she continued, "Let's make a promise then."

Itachi looked at her questioningly as she held out her pinky.

"Let's promise to always be together forever. No matter what." She looked up at him with her big blue eyes, "So…do you promise?"

The young prodigy saw the seriousness in her eyes and didn't ponder on his decision.

Latching his pinky onto hers, he vowed, "I promise."

Neither of them knew of the future where their vow would be put to the ultimate test.

For now, the two smiled in content as they both fell into a much-needed slumber.

"Love you, Itachi," she mumbled as she fell asleep.

"…Love you too, Kagome." Itachi said, watching her for a moment before he too fell asleep.

She just didn't know how much.

Mikoto and Rei squealed like little school girls as they watched their children sleep without a care in the world.

Rei Higurashi had come to pick up Kagome when she didn't come back home for dinner. Shisui had dropped by earlier to tell her that her daughter was here since Naruto was brought home by his sensei and it was already dark outside.

After arriving at the Uchiha Manor, Mikoto had greeted her and said that Kagome had been with Itachi in his room, but had not come out for dinner.

Imagine their surprise to see the two cuddled up to each other as they slept with such peaceful expressions.

Mikoto had quickly retrieved a camera from her bedroom, and began to take multiple pictures of the duo, who were oblivious to their mothers' bout of giddiness.

"Don't they just look so cute together?" Mikoto had her hands around the camera, taking shot of after shot as she whispered to her friend.

"I've never seen a more adorable sight," Kagome's mother gushed quietly back. "Well, except for their baby pictures," she added as an afterthought.

The mothers both knew of Kagome and Itachi's close relationship with each other. They had practically been glued to the hip ever since the little girl was in diapers.

Seeing them sleeping so peacefully without a care in the world had the mothers feel relief. They knew Itachi's busy schedule had been taking a toll on the two emotionally.

The two women were broken out of their musings by a tug on both of their skirts. Looking down, they were met with Mikoto's youngest as he stared up at them.

"Is Kagome going to sleep here tonight?" Sasuke looked at the two women with hopefulness as he asked.

Rei smiled at the six-year-old boy, unable to resist the doe eyed expression on his face. Glancing at his mother she replied, "If your parents are okay with it, then I don't see why not." She couldn't help but quietly giggle as the boy immediately clung to his mother, begging her to let Kagome stay for the night.

"Shhh, Sasuke. You don't want to wake them up now, do you?" Mikoto whispered as she held her finger up to her lips. Once he quieted down, she continued, "I guess I will inform your father when he gets home." She smiled as her son's face lit up before hugging her.

"Now, I think it's time for you to be in bed," she reminded him as she began to shut the door to Itachi's room.

Sasuke looked up as he heard the door closing, before stopping his mother.

"I want to sleep with them tonight," he stated before asking, "Can I, Kaa-san?"

"Have you brushed your teeth?" He nodded. "Washed your face?" He nodded again. "Changed into your sleeping clothes?" At that, he quickly ran into his room before changing into said sleepwear and came running back.

The two women chuckled at his antics.

"I'm all ready for bed. Can I sleep with them now?" he asked impatiently as he looked into the room where the two were sleeping.

"Go ahead then. Just makes sure to be very quiet so you don't wake them." She reminded.

Sasuke smiled in excitement before bowing to the two women. After bidding them both a good night he quietly entered the bedroom before climbing onto the bed and cuddling up between the two.

Kagome and Itachi moved to give the boy more space before wrapping their arms around him, but otherwise did not wake.

Watching as her youngest fell fast asleep between the two, the Uchiha matriarch could not help but sigh in content.

"If only this would last forever." She heard the Higurashi matriarch say.

They looked at each other with a solemn expression. Putting her arm around her friend in comfort, she voiced her agreement.

"We can only hope."

Taking one last picture, the two women shut the door before walking down the hallway. Both their minds on the same thought.

Hopefully, it would.

AN: Thank you to everyone who like and followed my story! Hopefully I will get more reviews in the future. I love reading any and all of your comments (except flames) so don't forget to leave one if you like the story so far or have any suggestions (Now I'm sounding hypocritical since I don't leave much reviews to the stories that I really like. Oh well...*shrugs shoulders*). Anyways, thank you all again!

(Edited May 9, 2018)