Hello everyone! I hope you all are enjoying the story so far. Things are starting to get interesting as the tension begins to build. Anyway, time to step on my soap box. I truly appreciate reviews. I really do. I will read them and thank you for reviewing. They tell me how I'm doing as a writer and can help me improve. So please, take a quick second to review; anyone can. Now that that is over with: on with the story!
Disclaimer: I do not own Naruto or its characters, just those of my own design.

Chapter 3

Kikyuu hummed softly to herself as she rocked back and forth from the balls of her feet to her heels. She stood near the large fountain in the center of the village observing the citizens as they went about their business shopping in various stores or the occasional kiosk that would pop up over night that sold numerous goods that were rare in these parts. She was waiting for Itachi who promised her that he would train with her today. She desperately hoped that everything was fine between him and his father for she knew the tension that resulted from her befriending him and wondered if that was why she hadn't seen him for several days. Blinking for a moment before smiling, she turned as she saw Itachi calmly walking towards her down the road that led to the Uchiha compound. She waved before jogging up to him.

"Good afternoon, Itachi!" She stated cheerfully as he approached her.

He merely nodded before beginning to walk towards a training ground. Furrowing her brow in confusion, she quickly caught up to him.

"Hey, what's wrong? You're not yourself today," she scoffed as she added, "And don't try lying to me."

The young boy smiled before shaking his head, "Don't worry about it. Getting away for a little while is already doing me some good. Now, what do you want to work on today?"

"Hm," Kikyuu hummed as she pondered his question before replying, "Well, I'm pretty bad at genjutsu. I don't care much for using them, but I'd like to know how to break them and such."

Itachi smirked, "You're supposed to be a sensor and can't tell when someone is casting a genjutsu?"

She blushed deeply, "Hey! It's not my fault I haven't been taught it well enough!"

The boy chuckled as they turned off down a side road towards the training grounds, "I'm teasing, Kikyuu. I'll help you."

She pouted for a moment before shoving him gently then taking off towards the training grounds in a brisk run.

Kikyuu panted heavily as she hunched over slightly, a light sheen of sweat glistening on her forehead. Itachi stood ten yards from her, looking slightly concerned as he asked:

"Was that last one too much?"

She shook her head, "No…It's just that this is pushing the limits of my abilities. I've never tried to do this and so much in one day is tiring."

Itachi's voice took a slight dip as he appeared to begin walking towards her, his voice laced with chakra as he began to cast another genjutsu on her, his sharingan tomoe spinning in slow circles, "Come now, Kikyuu. You know you're stronger than this. Or perhaps you're not? Perhaps my father was right and I'm wasting my time here training you. Time that could be spent elsewhere."

Her head snapped up as she looked into Itachi's eyes, that seemed to just be charcoal black as always, "You… You don't mean that," she whispered in disbelief.

He chuckled, "But of course I do. I've felt nothing but pity for you since that day I found you crying and alone at the lake."

Kikyuu smirked as she tipped her head downward slightly and closed her eyes, "Funny," she chuckled lightly, "Because I recall that it was you who was crying and alone at the lake before I sat beside you to comfort you… Release."

The genjutsu broke with the sound of a glass window shattering causing Kikyuu to clutch her ears before looking up at Itachi who was smiling at her.

"Did you figure it out before or after the lie?" He asked in his normal voice.

She sniffled and wiped at her eyes, "I thought that there was a shift in your chakra and in the air before you began to speak. It was reaffirmed when you lied."

Itachi sighed and quickly crossed to her before hugging her tightly while speaking softly, "Hey, it's okay. I know I said some harsh things, but that is what your enemy will do. They will try to find your weakness so they can exploit it and defeat you."

She nodded into his chest and rested in his arms before stepping back, "I'm fine now. Thank you."

He smiled at her before taking her hand, causing her to blush slightly, as he began to lead her into the woods, "Come on. You deserve a break and I know somewhere to relax."

Kikyuu nodded and merely followed along.

A few hours later still beheld them lying on a grassy knoll in a field of wildflowers. They had spent the time gazing at the clouds and talking about various meaningless things to keep the mood light. However, Kikyuu finally asked:

"I know I shouldn't talk about it, but what does your father think? I know he was very upset that day you brought me to the compound and the day he attacked me, any change?"

Itachi sat up on his elbows while sighing, "No; he hasn't. My father is a difficult… and ambitious man. Anything that doesn't fit into his perfect plans is considered a nuisance. However, he needs to learn that I am not a pawn, but his son," he sat up, "I have my own dreams, my own desires."

Kikyuu sat up as well, "Like what?"

The boy looked at her before chuckling, "No, it's a silly dream."

She smiled and punched him lightly on the shoulder, "Tell me. I'll tell you something that I want to do more than anything."

He smiled as he looked up into the sky, "I want to open a dojo. Not to train shinobi, though," he amended as he looked at her, "I want to teach citizens how to defend themselves; how to protect themselves. Everything they learn would be strictly for security in order to lessen violent crimes committed against them and perhaps spare them from an early and unwarranted death."

"Wow," Kikyuu whispered in wonder, "that is a very noble dream, Itachi."

He chuckled, "Thank you. What about you?"

This time, Kikyuu blushed and looked away, "No. You'll really think mine is silly."

"We had a deal," Itachi stated with a smirk.

She sighed, "Well, it's nothing like your dreams, but… I want to go to a festival."

He chuckled, "What?"

"See!" She cried, "I knew you'd laugh."

"No, no. It just surprised me. Please, explain," Itachi urged.

"Well," she began, "I saw pictures in an old box my grandfather had of when he took my mother to a festival. Everyone in the photographs looked so happy and the village was beautifully decorated and there were pictures of these things called 'fireworks' that looked amazing. People around here haven't seemed truly happy for as long as I can remember and I just want to be in a place where that happiness is everywhere. A festival would be more than just a festival to me, it would bring some light in this crazy world where kids no older than us can be sent on a mission and never come back." She looked at him to gauge his reaction.

Itachi returned her gaze with a soft smile, "Kikyuu, that is wonderful dream because of what it means to you. I promise, okay? I promise that the first festival this village has, I will take you personally and make sure that you see all the happiness and joy and fireworks that your memory can hold."

"Really, Itachi?" Kikyuu asked, growing more and more excited.

He nodded and laughed as she hugged him tightly and knocked him over as she exclaimed, "Oh, thank you!"

"Oniisan?" A small voice asked.

The both looked up and giggled as they saw a small Sasuke looking at them with confused eyes. The pair quickly jumped up, a blush ghosting their faces lightly.

"Sasuke," Itachi stated, "What are you doing here?"

The boy trotted over, "Well, I knew you were training with Kiki today and I thought I could train with you some."

The older brother chuckled as he poked Sasuke's forehead, "Like I told you this morning, Sasuke, some other time."

The boy frowned, "But…you always say that."

"Oh, come on, Itachi," Kikyuu stated as she looked at him, "He just wants to spend time with you."

The eldest Uchiha looked towards the setting sun, "Perhaps tomorrow, Sasuke. For now, let's go get something to eat, hm?"

The small boy nodded quickly as this action was emphasized by a loud growl from his stomach, "That would be nice especially since mommy and daddy went to some sort of meeting."

"Meeting?" Kikyuu asked before looking at Itachi.

He simply shrugged before heading into the woods, "Follow me. I found a restaurant the other day that serves very tasty onigiri."

When they arrived at the restaurant, they were surprised to find Shisui waiting in line to be seated.

"Cousin Shisui!" Sasuke exclaimed as he trotted up to him.

The young Uchiha turned and grinned at the small boy, "Hey! Sasuke, my man!" He tussled the child's hair causing the boy to smack playfully at his hands.

"Shisui," Itachi stated with a friendly tone in his voice as he tipped his head to him.

He returned the nod before looking at the kunoichi, "Kikyuu! Hello! Seems I just saw you, didn't I?"

She smirked playfully, "If you keep popping up everywhere, I'll begin to suspect that you've been sent to spy on Itachi and me."

This caused Shisui to chuckle as a waitress approached to seat him. Since it was for a booth, the three new arrivals simply joined him.

It was late into the evening that they finally parted with fully bellies. Itachi, Shisui, and Sasuke waved to Kikyuu as she quickly bid her goodbyes before heading to her grandfather's home while the three of them walked to the Uchiha compound. The youngest of them was entertaining himself by chasing fireflies and running ahead of the group, giving them the opportunity to speak to one another quietly.

"So, Shisui, I hear from my father that they're considering you for the Police Force," Itachi commented off-handedly.

"Man, I hope so!" He exclaimed, "It would be great to work there!"

Itachi smirked before dropping it and staring at his cousin, "And did my father ask you to keep an eye on me?"

Shisui looked into his cousin's eyes with a grave expression on his face, "As much as can right now. Of course, I'll be able to increase my surveillance if I join the Police Force. Itachi, do you realize what you're doing?"

"I'm maintaining a friendship," he replied, "What do you think I'm doing? Better yet, what does my father think I'm doing?"

The boy shrugged as they stopped at the gate of the compound, "I'm not sure, but even if you don't see it, I do. I see how you two look at each other."

Itachi chuckled as he began walking to catch up to Sasuke, "I believe that Sharingan of yours is seeing too much."