Chapter 8

Itachi

After checking that Keitara still slept Itachi quickly and quietly slipped through the door into the hall. His parents must be up by the voices drifting down the hall. He entered the kitchen.

"Ohayo."

"Good morning, Itachi," Mikoto answered. "Sleep well, both of you?"

"Hai, arigato," he answered.

"I'll bet," Fujihito commented, earning a silencing look from his wife.

"Keitara, do you like her?"

"Of course, dear. We think she's wonderful, but so quiet!"

Itachi smiled a bit nervously. "She's quite wary of people. She's had a harsh life." He paused before continuing. "I'm going to ask her to join our family, to marry me."

Mikoto clasped a hand over her mouth and hurried forward to hug him. "My baby's growing up!" Fujihito reacted differently.

"What? You're not old enough to know the workings of love yet. You're only 14!"

Itachi met his father's heated gaze. "And already graduated and making my own money. I can get us a house as soon as one becomes available."

"And of your missions?" Fujihito asked.

"I won't have any for awhile now."

Fujihito set his jaw. "You won't have my blessing in this, Itachi. You're not ready."

"It won't stop me, I love her."

Keitara

I remember my nervousness that day around Fujihito. He seemed in worse a mood than yesterday if possible. Of course he didn't stay around long. He would come in and out for dinner and supper, but nothing else. The thought occurred that he and Itachi had had a fight.

"Are you going to tell me yet, what we're doing?" I asked as we walked. Itachi had told me we were going to take a walk and that he wanted to show me something.

"Nope, you'll see soon," he grinned.

We walked some farther. I wore the lavender kimono he'd gotten me yesterday, beautiful as it was.

"They should be coming on right about…now." As he said it, colorful overhead lanterns blinked on all at once. Lanterns of every color and shade lit up the city.

"They're beautiful," I awed.

"Can you be honest with me, Keitara? How – no, I mean – Would you trust me the rest of your life?"

"Of course. Why wouldn't I?"

"Good." He paused and took something from his jacket pocket.

"I don't really know how to say this properly, but, well, here it is. The choice is yours."

He opened his hand to show a wood carved ring, no gold, no jewels, definitely no diamonds, but intricate and beautiful. Despite it's plainness, any girl would know what it meant, any girl but me at the time.

"It's beautiful, Itachi. Thank you," I said.

His smile faded. He looked suddenly upset. He looked down, his shoulders shaking.

"Itachi? What's wrong? Are you hurt?"

He was laughing!

"Ok, I'm sorry, I'm sorry," he tried to catch his breath. "I was just a little surprised, Keitara."

I must've looked very confused.

"Surprised that you didn't know what it I'm asking you," he explained.

He took my left hand and slid the ring on my third finger.

"I'm asking you to marry me, Keitara."

Sorry for the short chapters everyone. I promised my friends I'd have it done by Christmas. Reviews are always appreciated, thank you.