Authors' Note – As I'm co-writing this with someone, we came to the conclusion that the Uchiha probably inner-married to keep the specific Uchiha traits within the Uchiha clan so it wouldn't go to other people.

I hope this makes sense! Now on with the story!

Uchiha Relationships

Sasuke waited at the docks eagerly, gripping onto his mother's hand, "I see the ship nearby!" he bounced.

"Hai, hai, it's coming," Mikoto smiled sweetly down at him.

Kimi grinned widely at her father and brother. "I see the dock!"

Kei, whom ironically found out he too got seasick easily, smiled slightly while Hiroki chuckled.

"Hai, but remember what I talked to you about being alone." the ANBU reminded with a frown. He didn't enjoy the fact that he had to tell his oldest daughter not to be alone at his In-laws' compound, but even Rosemary instructed Kimi not to go around with Itachi alone.

"Hai, Otou-san! You won't have to worry; Kei-Ani will keep me safe!" Kimi stated with that smile that couldn't be moved.

Itachi and Fugaku hung around in the background, allowing the younger son and mother to be the welcoming committee to their visitors. Itachi felt a small smirk curve up his lips as he watched the crew members latch to the dock and then after anchor was dropped; they set out the plank for the passengers to come down off of. He watched with growing amusement as Kei dashed off the boat and breathed deeply of air that was not purely sea, and he quickly got his land-legs back, but not before vomiting a time or two.

Sasuke jumped and tried to look through the crowd and many other people. Where was she? He began to frown and watched as every last passenger got off the boat and even Uncle Hiroki patted his head before giving Mikoto a hug. He pouted deeply and felt tears well up, but he fought them away, knowing such a thing would make his father huff in frustration.

Kimi had followed behind another passenger, crouching low to hide herself. She managed to sneak up behind Sasuke and giggled silently as she tapped a single finger on his shoulder. When the boy whipped around, Kimi let out a laugh and hugged the boy close.

"Sasuke! You thought I didn't come didn't you!" Kimi snickered as Kei staggered over to them.

Sasuke gripped Kimi in a tight but not hurtful embrace, swinging her around happily, "Kimi-chan!" he grinned and then blushed, "You're right…I was worried you wouldn't show. I missed you so much!" he hugged her again, albeit a bit more gently, and nuzzled her neck, "I'm so, so, so glad you came! Otou-san is going to be teaching me a new technique soon, so you'll get to watch me!" he grinned happily.

Kimi laughed as she hugged back, "That's wonderful! I'm so happy for you!" she giggled and pulled away to talk to Kei.

"Kei, how are you feeling?" Kimi asked gently.

"Well, I won't be teasing Sarrina about being seasick ever again…" Kei moaned sickly.

"Don't worry, we'll be at the compound soon enough." Kimi snickered.

As the young girl turned back to speak with Sasuke once more, she caught Itachi's eyes. It was as if he were trying to look into her mind by a single glance. Kimi quickly looked away, taking Sasuke's hand to comfort herself. She never told Sasuke about Itachi's actions and stares. She didn't want to ruin his view of his big brother.

Sasuke grinned at her and squeezed her hand a bit before he started running with her back in the direction of the compound. Many greeted Kimi as they passed, and he laughed joyously, jumping and bouncing around, "Kimi, I'm so, so glad you came," he told her yet again and then finally stopped at the gate, waiting for his and her family.

Itachi frowned and watched his little brother brighten up so much it almost seemed his grin was glowing and it couldn't be erased for the world. It sickened him, and it made him glower in displeasure. He wanted her, and he couldn't help but feel hate well up inside at the fact she refused to be around him, that the only person she hung with was Sasuke. What was so special about him? It angered him greatly, but he hid his emotions as usual.

Mikoto smiled at Hiroki, "So, how's my sister doing?" she asked him.

Kimi laughed breathlessly when they finally reached the gate, "Sasuke, how come every time I come to see you, you all but drag me to the compound?" she asked in a teasing manner.

Kei, though still feeling nauseous, kept his eyes on Itachi as he watched Sasuke pull Kimi away to the compound. He personally had trouble being around Itachi because of his…feelings towards the girl that was half his age. He kept his mouth shut because Kimi begged him to, but he was still cautious.

"She's doing great. Sarrina didn't want to go another sea trip so soon after going to Suna. She's apparently gets seasick like Rose. So they both decided to stay home this time." Hiroki answered with a grin.

Sasuke laughed and hugged her, nuzzling her neck, "Because you are amazing and it's a gift to me whenever I see you come. Last time Uncle came and didn't have you, I was really sad," he told her.

Itachi smirked a bit as Kei strayed a bit from him, but then he had to avoid a biking child, so he purposely slammed his arm into the boy, jarring him enough out of sight from the three grown-ups that the boy shuddered and fell to the ground, vomiting. He pretended to be concerned when Hiroki and his mother looked, and his father just shrugged and kept walking.

Mikoto hurried over, "Oh, sweety," she rubbed his back and rubbed away his tears with her sleeve. When he was done, she picked him up, "You'll be alright," she soothed, "I have some nausea medicine at the compound."

Kimi giggled at the ticklish feeling, "That's sweet! I missed you, too."

Kei coughed, spitting out the little bile still in his mouth. He glared heatedly at the other Uchiha. He remained silent but cursed him in his head. He rested against Mikoto and groaned, feeling horrible.

Mikoto frowned and then glanced at her eldest son before walking forward. Soon enough, they reached the gate and she watched as Fugaku unlocked it for Kimi and Sasuke who raced inside and around the back. She was sure he was going to show her the tree house he had built with the help of Teyaki, a friend and older relative of theirs. She sat Kei down on the couch and got him some medicine and also some of his favorite juice, "Here you go, Kei."

Sasuke laughed and picked Kimi up, having designed the little hut to be gotten into by those who knew how to jump really high like ninjas. He set her on the "porch" and then used a bit of his blood and a jutsu to open the door, leading her inside where it was all lavished like a mini-room, "How do you like it?!" he smiled from ear to ear.

Kei smiled at his aunt. "Thanks, I guess it's payback for teasing Sarrina about being seasick. Wish they could have come, I know you two haven't seen much of each other."

Kimi looked around the room in awe, "Wow! Did you build this on your own, or did you have help?"

"Karma and plenty of it, sweaty," Mikoto ruffled his hair.

"I made it with Uncle Teyaki," Sasuke grinned at her, "I…made it with you in mind, too," he blushed.

Kei laughed and moved away slightly to fix his hair again. "So how have things been here?"

Kimi's cheeks reddened as well as she turned to face Sasuke. "You thought of me while you made this? That's so sweet! But I have to ask - why?"

"Your Uncle Fugaku has been even harder on Sasuke lately, convincing him indirectly to train until he passes out, comparing him and Itachi," Mikoto sighed, "All I can do is be here to bandage Sasuke up or take him to bed. Itachi's been nicer to him as well. It's like he's hiding something, but for the life of me I can't figure out what."

Sasuke turned away as he turned as red as a tomato, "I…wanted a place we could hang out as we grow up. I hope…we can do that, anyway," he smiled meekly, "I like being with you, and hope you come here more often."

Man, I feel for Sasuke. I mean training back home is hard, but not that hard. Dad knows when I'm pushing my limit and won't make me push much pass it at any given time." Kei grimaced slightly. "I hope everything turns out fine."

"Of course I'll hang out with you! I like being with you too!" Kimi giggled and hugged Sasuke from behind, nuzzling his shoulder.

"I hope so, too," Mikoto nodded, "The medicine helping any?" she asked gently.

Sasuke felt himself relax into her touch and he smiled, "There are plenty of pillows and blankets over here, and I have snacks," he told her after a while of enjoying her arms around him. He took her hand and led her to a far corner, making her sit down, "I have glazed doughnuts, chocolate doughnuts, brownies, chocolate chip cookies, sugar cookies, double chocolate chip cookies, Oreos…" he listed off a bunch more sweets.

"Yea, I feel tons better!" Kei grinned, punching the air.

"That's good, then I guess it's time to train." Hiroki stated as he walked by.

Kei doubled over, "Oh! My stomach! I-it hurts sooo much!"

"Ha ha ha, come on, enough faking." Hiroki chuckled, crossing his arms.

"Maaaan!" Kei pouted in his eight year old way.

Kimi giggled and lightly punched Sasuke's arm. "Are you trying to turn me into a little pink pig? You know I can't resist anything with chocolate in it!" she grinned, picking up a double chocolate chip cookie and began to munch on it.

Mikoto chuckled and watched them, "Take it easy, the both of you. You just got here, I don't want to have bandage anybody," she stated with her hands on her hips playfully.

Sasuke picked up a glazed doughnut, "You're adorable no matter how you look. You could have pink skin with purple polka dots, green hair, and have horns, but I'd still think you're pretty…" he grinned at her.

"Hai, hai. We will, Mikoto. I won't push him too hard," Hiroki grinned, lightly pushing Kei to the door. Kei sighed and moved sluggishly to prolong his waiting.

Kimi blushed and smiled, "Well you could look like a troll and I'd still think of you as my-um uh f-friend! Best friend!"

Sasuke felt a bit of sadness at the words, and didn't know why, but he smiled despite himself, "Arigato, you're my best friend no matter what, too." He leaned against the pillows, looking up at the ceiling.

Kimi sat next to him, still blushing, but not from his words. She had almost let it slip that he was her crush. "I wish we didn't live so far apart..." the girl sighed, pulling her knees close to her chest and resting her head on them.

"I wish we didn't, either. Though, there's not much we can do about it except enjoy the time we have," Sasuke wrapped his arm around her shoulders.

Kimi blushed at this position, but rested her head never the less on his shoulder and curled up by his side. "Sasuke…let's make a promise."

Sasuke smiled at her, "What sort of promise do you wish to make, sweet Kimi?" he asked her, nuzzling the hair on the side of her head.

"A promise for when we're older," Kimi giggled at the ticklish feeling of his nuzzle.

"Anything," Sasuke smiled and pulled away to look at her while she told the promise.

"Then promise me, when we get older..." Kimi blushed, and nibbled on her bottom lip. What if she made him promise her this, and he's not happy about it? Or worst, he broke it? Or perhaps even worst then that; what if she broke it?

The Uchiha sighed, pushing away the 'what if's'. It was like Kei said quite often, "If you live your life thinking about the 'what if's, could have, should have, would have happened', you're not seeing the beauty of what IS happening."

"When we get older…" she repeated before taking a deep breath, "You'll be my first k-kiss…"

Sasuke grinned at her, "Of course, Kimi! You'll be mine; too," he promised her, "I'd love to be your first anything." He brushed his fingers through her hair and smiled at her amethyst eyes.

Kimi blushed more than she had before, but smiled brightly. She hugged the male close, "Thank you, Sasuke!"

Sasuke blinked, but smiled and hugged her in return. He sighed, "I love you, Kimi…" he nuzzled the nape of her neck, "We're cousins, but I really like you…"

"I love you, too," Kimi murmured shyly and closed her eyes in joy of the words finally spoken.