A/N: I will try to make the coming chapters longer!

It was not the first time she had awoken in an empty bed. There was always a short pang of sadness, but she would will it away by burying her face in the pillow to inhale his lingering scent. This is real. He is real. It took everything she had to pull away.

The previous night she had asked him to wake her when he was going to leave. She did not think that he deliberately did not wake her. Though such a thought did creep up once or twice as she bathed, she convinced herself that he only forgot and had been in a rush this morning. For the next twenty minutes, as she rinsed and dried her hair, she argued as to whether or not she would text him.

He's probably really busy, I don't want to bother him.

He won't think you're bothering him! He'll probably be happy to hear from you.

He just saw me this morning. It hasn't been that long.

But you want to talk to him! Then talk to him!

No, I might get him in trouble. I know he hasn't talked to his parents about me yet. He's probably waiting for the right time to bring it up… if he ever wants to… but he might not.

No! Don't you start thinking like that!

But… I'm just me. And he's… him… he's from that big family.

He's not a user! He wouldn't do something like that, just stop.

Sumire tied her hair into a messy bun then released a dejected sigh to her reflection behind the fogged mirror.

"Why can't I just be confident?"

The doorbell chimed and she turned her head towards the bathroom door. Was Itachi expecting someone? As soon as she stepped into the hallway she remembered something he had told her a few weeks ago.

Do not open the door for anyone you don't know. Even if they do not look menacing, just ignore them.

She had asked him why and he smiled weakly.

I don't want to scare you. Please, just listen to me.

She wasn't sure whether she would be more frightened knowing what dangers were outside the front door or remaining ignorant. In this moment she was slightly afraid. She tiptoed across the smooth floorboards then peeked through the eyehole. This situation became incredibly familiar and she swung the door open.

"Shisui-san!"

"Hello~"
"It's nice to see you. Would you like to come in?"

"Sure. I am here on a mission."

"A mission?" she stepped aside for him.

"Yes, I am here to…" he spun towards her and leaned down to her eye level. "take you on a date."

Now this was unexpected. A flush appeared on her cheeks. She wanted to stagger, maybe fall to the floor, but it was more important to reaffirm his statement.

"...a date?"

"Yes. Itachi wanted me to check on you. He mentioned you might be sad because he forgot to tell you goodbye. What better way to make you feel better than take you on a date?"

"B-but Shisui-san… I'm…"

"I'm not trying to steal you from my cousin, if that's what you're thinking! It's a friend-date! All of the benefits of a romantic date without the romance!"

"Oh…"

"Do you not want to hang out with me?"

A pout formed across his pale lips. Her flush deepened.

"It's not that! I just was so surprised," she waved her tiny hands back and forth. "I was thinking all of the worst possible things that could happen and I just didn't know what to say!"

"Worst things? What could possibly happen?"

"Like what if we get caught up in a mood and we do something we're not supposed to and it would just be awful. I don't want to do anything to hurt Itachi and I'm so easy to shake I just was freaking out, like if you just grabbed me and kissed me how would I react? Could I push you off? And if I did would Itachi believe me if I try to tell him it was your fault? But then you could try to convince him that I was the one who came onto you! And and…"

Her eyes became mistier and mistier as spoke, but the sound of Shisui's laughter allowed her to come to a stop. She gazed up at him as he put a hand against his abdomen. He used a single finger to wipe a tear from his eye:

"You two are so alike it's ridiculous."

"What? Itachi and I?"

He nodded.

"You sound just like him."

"But Itachi is always so calm…"

"He looks like he's calm and usually he is, but when something is really concerning him he sounds just like you. He tries to think of everything that could possibly happen and ways to get through it. He never just jumps into anything. For a second I thought I was listening to him."

"I don't believe you. There's no way he does what I just did."

"Don't worry, you'll see it soon. So…"

She patted her cheeks until the desire to cry trickled away.

"How about that date?"

The combination of his confident wink and sparkling grin urged a tiny giggle from her. Shisui's presence had never alerted her anxiety in the way other men's did. Something about his eager, honest person eased her nerves.

"Sure, just let me get ready."

"No rush!"

He closed the door and seated himself at the kitchen island where he pulled out his phone to send a quick text.

I'll make sure your girlfriend has fun today! Good luck!

When she returned he offered her his arm with a bow.

"No touchie."

He straightened to flash his smile again and pointed towards the door.

"We are off!"

"Where are we going?"

"Breakfast."

"Breakfast where?"

"Itachi told me you were a fan of coffee, so I thought I'd show you my favorite coffee shop."

He glanced back to see her eyes lighting up with excitement.

"Okay!"

X

The shop was somewhere in the outskirts of Konoha. The foot traffic was low, but the area was exceptionally clean. Sumire felt out of place among these large buildings with transparent windows and stylish furniture. Inside the tables were made to resemble circular benches usually found at parks or elementary schools.

They were seated immediately and ordered after only scanning the menu. It arrived amidst a mundane conversation. She hummed happily as she nipped into a english muffin breakfast sandwich oozing with cheese. Black coffee was placed before her in a large smooth grey mug. The steam from the hot food and drinks curled upwards in front of their faces until it dispersed. Shisui's meal was far more complicated than hers. Atop an oval plate of a color similar to the mugs was a half of an english muffin stacked with a generous slice of bacon, a poached egg, and topped with a runny hollandaise sauce.

Sumire chased the food down her throat with a sip of coffee.

"What's the big deal with Egg's Benedict? Is it good?"

"It's one of my favorites."

"What is that sauce? It looks like mustard."

"It's egg yolks, mixed with seasonings."

"So your eggs have eggs on top of them."

"More or less…"

"Huh."

"It's egg-ception."

"Oh. My. God."

"No?"

"That was so bad. I'm not hungry anymore."

He snickered while cutting into his food.

"Itachi told me you're working."

"Yes, I work at a costume shop in the mall nearby."

"Is that where you got the apron?"

Her eyes went wider than they had ever been and her cheeks were lit aflame.

"H-h-h-h-h-h-how much does Itachi tell you?"

"Wait… did you do something kinky with the apron? Is that why you're stuttering?"

HE DIDN'T KNOW?

"He only told me you were wearing a cute apron one time when he came home. He didn't tell me…" he smirked. "You really are bold Sumire-chan."

She hid behind a white cloth napkin.

"Shisui-san is too powerful." she said.

He chomped down on his fork and spoke with his mouth full:

"You make it too obvious."

She slapped the napkin back into her lap and glared.

"So what does Shisui-san do in his spare time, aside from take his friend's girlfriends on dates?"

An arrow must have shot through his chest for he winced.

"Oh man. That one hurt."

Her glare softened into concern. Had she really harmed him?

"I'm sorry." she whispered.

He laughed and waved her apology away.

"Don't worry about it. I deserve that one. I work for one of the branches of Uchiha Incorporate."

"But what is it that you do?"

"I run information between the branches. I have to make sure we are all on the same page with operations. If there are any issues I'm supposed to report it to the headquarters and back and forth and back and forth." he sighed. "I'm glad phones exists otherwise I'd have to learn how to teleport."

"Wouldn't working at a computer work? Or…"

"Sometimes information needs to be delivered in person. Not all the time, but sometimes. We can't trust everyone to know certain things."

"That sounds like a really tough job. Is it just you?"

"No, there are others who have a similar position, but I'm the only one who has access to meeting with the head of the family."

"That's amazing."

"Says the girl dating the heir."

"I don't even see him that way! I didn't even know he was until you told me!" her hands were on her cheeks again. "When I think of Itachi I think of the really kind man who helped me get through some of the toughest parts of my work."

He nodded slowly. Any person could be interested in his cousin for his money and his fame, but it was pleasing to know that her affection was genuine.

"I have an idea."

"What?"

"Let's take a selfie and send it to him."

"Okay. Sure."

He hopped around the curved seating until he was close enough and held the phone at arm's length. They both showed toothy smiles while she waved a delicate hand towards the camera. Eagerness emanated from him as he tapped his thumbs against the phone screen rapidly. The person beside her had some nefarious plot brewing beneath his excited dark eyes, but it seemed to be all in good fun so she accepted it. He set his phone down with a triumphant motion.

What should have been a casual glance to the side, was a flicker that indicated danger and made her clench her fists in her lap.

"Shisui-san?"

The sound of a group approaching had her turning her head, but her attention was shifted to the table where he had slid his phone close enough that she could read what he had written.

No matter what, go along with what I say and do. I promise I won't do anything weird to you, this for Itachi's sake as much as yours.

When she met his stare she noticed that his gaiety had simmered down into the most subtle beseechment. She understood that if she did not follow something terrible may happen to the one she cared so deeply about. With a nod and a forced confident smile she agreed to play along. Within her she was trembling in fright, but the large hand that gently rested atop her stilled the shivers before they became visible.

"Shisui." came a fairly deep voice.

A few men stopped just at the edge of the table. It did not take her very long to assume these men were part of the Uchiha family. Their facial structures and dark hair signaled that much, but there was something that set them apart from all the Uchiha she had met thus far. Their clothing was not starched and steamed in the way she had seen Itachi's and Shisui's, but they appeared rugged and somewhat unkempt. The aura about them indicated they had just come from some unpleasant experience and the hard expressions only enhanced that ominous air.

"Hisoka-san, Tamotsu-san, Iwao-san. Pleasant afternoon."

"We had a question for you but... are we interrupting something?"

All eyes fell on her and her fingernails dug into her palm. Shisui squeezed her hand just a bit. He was sending every signal he could to tell her not to panic.

"A bit, I am on a date."

"We can ask you later then, but we should introduce ourselves first." The one of mid-height was the most menacing.

Though he was not the tallest his eyes had a natural scowl.

"Uchiha Iwao. It's nice to meet you."

The other two followed suit. The one on the left was Hisoka and the right was Tamotsu. Their faces and body shapes were exactly the same, the only difference being they brushed their bangs to opposites sides. All three could have been brothers, but Sumire thought this about every Uchiha she met. I wonder how many members are in the family.

"You should introduce yourself too, Asahi-chan." Shisui said while beaming at her.

Asahi?

"Uh… right. I'm…" I have to come up with something, right? "Gouda Asahi. It's nice to meet you."

They all seemed slightly started by the name, but recovered quickly.

"How long have you two been dating?" Iwao was fixed on Sumire.

She avoided meeting it by staring down at the table and occasionally glancing shyly to Shisui.

"Just a couple of weeks." the Uchiha seated beside her responded.

The one named Hisoka dropped beside Sumire with a quite a chill-inducing leer.

"But I bet you two have already gone nuts, huh?"

She scooted closer to Shisui both out of disgust and a reemerging fear. A true chill traveled down her spine at the feel of a large arm wrapping around her small person.

"C'mon back off, she's not good with conversations like this."

Shisui was a friend. A good friend who had helped her more than once. But he was not Itachi. The chill dissipated when his arm kept an inch of distance after the initial touch.

"You just went to town on her didn't you? You left marks on her too, huh? She couldn't walk for a few days, could she?"

"Hisoka-san." Shisui's voice was firm.

"I'm just joking, it's not like you don't do the same shit to us."

He placed a hand on Sumire's shoulder and she flinched.

"Is his dick as big as he likes to brag?"

Being touched by a stranger was worse. She maneuvered away from him until she was pressing her hip to Shisui's and facing him. Perhaps it was the conversation she had with herself this morning about being confident. Perhaps it was the prospect of going home and bragging to Itachi that she had held her own again three Uchiha thugs. Or perhaps it was her natural propensity for random bursts of gusto.

"Yeah. He's huge. You jealous?"

The man threw his head back to laugh.

"Man what a woman. I thought you said she wasn't good with conversations like this?"

Shisui grinned.

"She's full of surprises."

"No shit."

He patted her thigh and she swatted him away.

"Please don't be so friendly." she snapped.

He was up now and joining his compatriots.

"Why are the hot ones always bitches?"

"I think Hade-ka fits you better."

Shisui hid his grin beneath a hand. Iwao's lip edged up, but he turned away. Tamotsu lowered his head silently.

"We will speak with you later, Shisui. I hope to see you again, Asahi-san." Iwao ended the conversation.

The group made their way out of the shop and piled into a large dark car.

"That was fucking amazing." Shisui blurted.

She jumped. Her shocked expression swing to face his as she edged away.

"Sorry, didn't mean to curse. I just was not expecting that act. Holy crap." his long arm dropped to his side. "Where did that come from?"

"I have no idea."

"And your last line. Shit, you can't write stuff like that."

Sumire shrugged her shoulders:

"It wasn't that funny… it was really awkward. I didn't think it would work."

Shisui was chuckling:

"Man, I have to use that against him next time I see him."

"Oh gosh."

"I'll even tack on a trademark. Wassup Hade-ka, trademark Gouda Asahi. And what's with that last name, you hungry?"

"I just thought of whatever I could I…" she twiddled her thumbs. "Well, I was reading up on Shikoku yesterday and the name Gouda is sometimes associated with it and I saw this website that used the word a few times and I just…"

"That's hilarious."

"Please don't make fun of me."

She reverted to her usual nervous self.

"You are the morning sun rising over the connected rice paddies."

"And here you are, mister..." her cheeks puffed. "Paper fan, still water!"

"Let me take you home connected rice paddies."

"Please don't make that my nickname."

"You've made your rice bed, now soak in it."

"I hate you so much."

In a Large Building Far Far Away

Damn it Shisui, I said check on her not take her on a date!

The image of the two smiling at him irked him. Itachi trusted his cousin, he knew he would do anything and everything to support their relationship, but he sure knew how to push his buttons. But the longer he stared at it the the softer the knit in his brows became. Her large smile indicated she was having a good time. She was not stressed, not overwhelmed, not on the verge of a panic attack. She was having a normal moment and that was enough to calm the bloom of jealousy in his chest.

He's likely describing every embarrassing moment he can think of. What if he tells her about the time my pants tore at that business meeting a few years ago? Or the day I fell into the pool after slipping on a noodle when I was eight? Or when I was six and had a nosebleed during our relative's wedding and I didn't notice until it had run into my shirt? He just smiled at me and stuck his finger up his nose. How was I supposed to know that's what he meant? How does shoving your digit into your nostril say: your nose is bleeding cousin?

"Bocchan, they are returning to the conference room."

"Right, thank you."

He slipped his phone into the pocket of his dress pants and readjusted the cuffs of his shirt. The security opened the door for him. He entered causing the room to fall silent just as it had earlier in the morning when he first arrived.

A/N: Here's some clarification.

Hisoka (密）= reserved man; Hade (派手) = loud, gaudy, etc. -ka = just to make it sound like his name [IT WAS A REALLY BAD JOKE]

Gouda (剛田) = connected (or strong) rice paddies (lol)

In case people didn't know:

Asahi (朝日) = Morning sun

Uchiha (うちは) = Another pronunciation of Uchiwa meaning paper fan

Shisui (止水) = stagnant water

And just because I'm on a roll:

Iwao (巌) = Stone man

Tamotsu (保) = Defender

I think I'm funny... XD