Disclaimer: I do not own any of the Naruto characters, unless otherwise stated. In this case, I only own Kimi and her village.

Author's Note: A bit more drama in this one. We're almost to the first major time skip -- only one more chapter! Woot! When that comes, I'll post the first part of the Juusanbi soundtrack on my profile. The song for this point and time is Changes by 3 Doors Down. When I post the soundtrack, I'll give basic chapters that they go along with. Some will be more apparent than others, but I'll do it anyway. I hope you enjoy this next chapter! Cheers!

XIII

The first two parts of the Chuunin exams went by without a hitch for Itachi. The other members of his squad struggled some with the second task, but with his help, they were the first squad to arrive at the central building with both scrolls. Only a couple other squads joined them later on – one from the Cloud Village and another from some Village Hidden in the Mountains that Itachi had never encountered before.

Izumo and Kotetsu were practically beside themselves with excitement, and after the successful squads were briefed on their next task, the pair immediately declared plans to celebrate their achievement.

Almost as an afterthought – or a mere courtesy – Isumo glanced back at Itachi as the boys left the building. "You want to join us, Itachi?"

When Itachi nodded and said, "Sure," his squad mates merely fell over in surprise. This was definitely a first for Itachi. Though he kept his face blank, the young Uchiha was chuckling inwardly to himself. Perhaps Kimi was rubbing off on him.

Whether this was true or not, Itachi was not entirely sure. That did not matter to him, though. He actually thought it might be a good thing. As he was learning, ties to people might actually prove to strengthen him instead of weaken him, as his father wished to think.

At the thought of his father, Itachi wondered faintly how the man would react to hearing about him celebrating with his squad mates. Would Fugaku approve or would he demand that such an event never occur again as he did with Kimi? Perhaps it was time for another exercise to test how far he could push his father – what exactly was tolerable. Perhaps it was time for a little rebellion.

Itachi smirked at the thought, earning startled looks from his teammates. He immediately suppressed the action, returning his face to a blank mask. This brought up a contrasting train of thought.

What was he thinking? Itachi could not defy his father like that! Such an action could be deemed treacherous and be much more trouble than it was worth. He should not be even considering testing the clan in such a way. It was bad enough that he had begun sneaking out at night to meet with Kimi against his father's direct orders. If anyone found out about that, who knew what Fugaku would do?

If he upset his father even the least bit by accompanying Izumo and Kotetsu to such a childish and pointless event, Fugaku might have Itachi put under surveillance again. Itachi had only recently been allowed to go off alone again – without Shisui's mandatory presence. He could not afford being watched again. Kimi would surely be found out.

Itachi stopped walking. "On second thought," he said flatly, "I should be getting home. My parents will want to know how things turned out and will probably want to celebrate themselves."

"Oh," Kotetsu responded softly. "Right. Okay, then."

Izumo frowned slightly. "Well, I guess we'll see you around, Itachi."

Itachi nodded to them, turned, and walked away. As he made his way back home, his mind actively analyzed that strange slip in thought and expression. Where had it come from? Perhaps it could be attributed to adolescence, but Itachi was only ten years old, after all. Then again, he always did act older than his actual age. Was this merely the rebellious period of a typical teenager? He was not even a teenager! What was it, then?

He felt the sudden urge to punch something, but fought it down. He needed to stay calm. There was nothing wrong. It was merely the stress of the Chuunin Exams, nothing more. It was to be expected, really, since he was the youngest genin ever to take the exam. Of course he would be exhibiting some sign of fried nerves.

But he was Itachi Uchiha. He did not feel such things . . . right?

His family showered him with praise when he returned home, but to Itachi, night could not come fast enough. He could not stand all the attention, especially the expectations carried along with them. Itachi would become the youngest chuunin ever. Itachi was the pride of the clan. Itachi would lead them into a bright future.

Itachi was honestly sick and tired of it. He longed for the words of someone entirely different – words that did not carry any other implications. Still, the boy put on a strong face for his clan, not wanting to raise any sort of suspicion among them. After all, tonight he would be breaking his father's law – again.

As Itachi approached their regular meeting place, he heard the sound of Kimi's flute weaving though the trees. Strange. She usually did not play at night, choosing instead to wait for him in silence, never knowing whether or not he could actually come. Itachi slowed, listening to the soft and mournful melody – more a lament than a lullaby.

He slowly moved from the trees to her side, remaining silent so as not to interrupt her playing. When the sorrow-filled tune came to an end, Kimi lowered the flute to her lap. She did not look up to meet his eyes.

"How did it go?" she asked hesitantly, when their silence stretched onward.

Itachi seated himself in front of her. "Perfectly fine. There are only three squads left – one from the Cloud Village, one from the Mountain Village, and mine."

"I see." She smiled, finally looking up at him. "Congratulations, Itachi."

The boy shook his head. "It's not over yet. We have a month more of training before the final stage of the exam. Only after that will it be over."

"I'm sure you'll do fine."

Itachi studied Kimi closely. She met his gaze for a moment, but then shifted uncomfortably and looked away. The young Uchiha narrowed his eyes slightly. Something was wrong. "What's bothering you?" he questioned her softly.

Kimi, unable to meet his eyes again, looked up at the stars. "I – I'm going to be leaving soon."

Itachi froze. This was not what he expected. Had she not told him only a few months earlier that she would be staying at least until the end of the year? Slowly, he asked, "How soon?"

She bit her lower lip. "Very – within the next couple of weeks."

"What? Why?"

"I think I'm wearing out my welcome," Kimi replied carefully. "It's time for me to move on."

Itachi stared at her. "Wearing out your welcome?" he echoed. "That's absurd! Is it something Tadao said? Is he kicking you out or something?"

Kimi shook her head, giving a soft laugh. "No, it's nothing like that."

The boy was on his feet now. "Then why? Why do you have to leave, Kimi?"

She was silent for a moment, her hands tightening around the shaft of the flute. "I told you when we first met that it was my dream to see the world. I still have that dream, Itachi, and the longer I stay here the harder it is for me to leave. If I don't go now, then I'll never be able to."

"Then don't go. You can stay here. Konoha can be your home, Kimi."

Kimi gave a sad smile. "Even if I do stay, we can't be together, Itachi. Not like this."

Itachi's mind was racing overtime. There had to be a way to stop her. There had to be some way around this. "You could talk to the Hokage," he said quickly. "If you become a member of the village, then maybe you can go to the Academy. You're not too old. You can pick up from wherever your village dropped you. If you become a shinobi, then maybe – maybe –" His voice trailed off as Kimi started shaking her head.

"It wouldn't work, Itachi. No matter what I do, I doubt your father would ever be able to accept me."

"Then at least stay for the final stage of the Chuunin Exams," Itachi blurted. "Stay for the tournament. Come and watch me." Kimi, startled, met his eyes again. "If you're there – if I'm fighting for you – I know I can win. I know I can pass."

"You'll pass whether I'm there or not," Kimi said warmly. "You definitely have the skill."

Itachi dropped to his knees so they were eye level again. "But you'll give me a real reason to pass – not because it's what my father wants or what the clan wants, but because it's what I want. I'll do it for you. I'll win for you."

Kimi was taken aback. "Itachi."

He put his hands over hers. "Please, Kimi. Stay at least until then."

She closed her eyes and dropped her head. For a moment, Itachi expected her to refuse, to shake her head and turn him down. Instead, a small smile played across her lips.

"Okay."