First Date

(A/N: This chapter is a little sappy, I will admit that but it does pick up. Man, I want White Castle so bad right now… damn you Harold and Kumar!!! Anyway, enjoy the show.)

~xxx~

Ayako heaved a sigh as Itachi left the room. Visiting hours were finally over. This would be the first time she'd been alone since she woke up this morning and she was looking forward to responding to Hideki's letter. She loved her family and friends very much but damn… their nonstop questioning –more like interrogation had her more than a little put off. Ayako swore if Hinato asked one more question about the cell she was in, she would have strangled him. His parents, Naruto and Ino, were no different; constantly yet subtlety asked her about what they did to her.

On Ayako's end, she just simply said she didn't want to relive the nightmare and she certainly wasn't going to tell them what happened with her brothers in the room. Of course when they left, Ibiki was next to appear and he prodded her for more information to which she wrote down on a piece of paper and threw it at him. He grinned and left her alone for the rest of the day. Then there was Riku she had to contend with. Dear God, she was going to break something if the insanity didn't end soon. Thankfully, visiting hours ended and Ayako was left to her own devices.

With pen and paper in hand, Ayako frowned… she didn't know what to say. Of course she was elated that he was alright and back home with his family. Maybe she would start there…

"Hideki,

"You have no idea how glad I am to hear that you're… alive. I found out when I read your letter when I woke up at three this morning. Speaking of which, it's been a nonstop circus here since I woke up. I kinda wish I had stayed asleep but then I wouldn't have read your letter and my parents would still be worried… and the list goes on."

She paused in her writing and turned to look at his letter that still sat on the table. Ayako remembered exactly what it said thanks to the photographic memory the Sharingan blessed her with. She smiled fondly and turned back to her own letter.

"I am rather curious as to what this 'something special' you're bringing me on your next visit is. But I'll wait until then. Hey, um… I want to tell you something but I'm not sure how. I'm not very good at expressing how I feel and besides, important things are best spoken face to face and from the heart. So, I guess you're just going to have to wait until you visit to hear what else I have to say. Well, tell your parents and Aki-kun that I said 'hi' and I'll see you in two weeks. I just wanted to respond to your letter and let you know that I'm ok now. Oh, and I wanted to thank you for what you did for me. And Hideki, I love you too.

Hugs and Kisses from the hospital,

Ayako."

She closed the letter and stuck it in an envelope; she'd ask Sakura to send it for her tomorrow. Right now though, she needed to eat and get some rest before the circus showed up again tomorrow.

~xxx~

He had been depressed since he left the hospital. Sure he missed his family dearly while he was gone but Hideki really wanted to be there for Ayako. And when her letter arrived five days after his departure from the village, Hideki was excited. He practically ripped the envelope open as his eyes devoured her letter. He whooped loudly while spinning around the courtyard.

"I take it that you've received good news." Ken said from the doorway.

"It's Ayako, she's awake and doing fine." Hideki beamed as he walked towards his father. Ken was glad to see his eldest son smiling again. It had been a miracle that the boy survived in the first place and now, now Hideki was back to his old self; no longer moping about or worried for Ayako.

"That's wonderful news, son. Is there any other news of her condition?" he asked with a smile.

"She didn't say. All she said was 'I just wanted to respond to your letter and let you know that I'm ok now'." Hideki repeated as he held up the letter. Ken's smile grew a little more when he caught the last few lines of her letter.

"Why don't you send her another letter… make it a sort of routine until we leave?" Ken suggested watching Hideki closely. He knew his son felt something for the heiress but he had no idea how she felt, that is until he caught the 'I love you too' in the letter she sent. Hideki made a leap for the door and ran down the hall.

"I'll get started now!" he shouted as he zipped passed the servants in the hall. And he did, having a new letter ready to be sent by dinner. Then Ayako sent one back a few days later. Thus their routine was born. He would receive a letter and send another back and vice-versa, all the way up until two days before Hideki and Ken were scheduled to leave.

~xxx~

Ayako was being released from the hospital today. She couldn't have been more excited except the fact that Hideki wouldn't be there until the following day. But she took it in stride and smiled as she was wheeled out of the hospital. And the sight that greeted her made her gasp. Hideki, Ken, Aki and Haruka stood with Tsunade in front of the hospital, waiting for Ayako. They were a day early but she didn't care, Hideki was there and smiling at her.

Itachi wheeled her down the ramp and pushed her towards the noble family. As soon as he stopped, Ayako was out of the chair and hugging Hideki. They whispered a few words between them then separated with huge grins on their lips. She greeted the rest of the noble family much the same way, not one of them minding the informality of it. They preferred it actually. Seeing as how Ayako did her best to protect Hideki and he ended up saving her life. So that had to mean something, right?

"Now, remember Ayako," Tsunade started after the greetings had died down. "No training for the next three weeks and the medicine will make you drowsy, so try no to fall asleep on your feet." She said with a grin. "I'm sure you want to go home and have a real shower, so we'll let you go. Hinato will bring the noble family by this afternoon, so rest up ok." Ayako nodded and smiled at Hideki.

"I'll see you all in a little while then." Ayako bowed rather awkwardly but managed to do it with little help from Itachi. "I do want to make a quick stop before we head home though." Itachi knew what she meant and nodded. Then they waved goodbye and headed for the flower shop. Now, Ayako wasn't allowed to walk too much, so Itachi helped her back into the wheelchair and he pushed her to the Yamanaka Flower Shop.

~xxx~

"Well look at what we have here." Ino purred from behind the counter, already working to toss her apron aside.

"Hi Ino, I came to pick up some flowers." Ayako smiled as the older blonde walked around the counter and knelt next to her.

"Must be nice being pushed around by your father all day, huh? What's the occasion?" she asked with a playful smile. Ayako's smile wavered for a second before she answered.

"They're for Kabuto-san. I wasn't able to go to the funeral… so I guess carnations will do." Ino's smile fell completely as she gave a small nod. Sakura told Ino everything she knew about the incident and Kabuto's selfless had left an impression on everyone. Ino saw Hideki at the funeral and couldn't believe it. It took a long talk with Sakura to straighten things out.

"Sure thing sweetie, let me wrap some up for you." Ino said with a warm smile then stood and walked into the back room.

"Hey, dad?" Ayako whispered as she turned her head to look up at him.

"Yes Angel." He responded turning from an arrangement of tiger lilies with one in his fingers. Ayako looked lost as she averted his gaze for a moment then turned her eyes back to him.

"Did he, at least, have a proper burial?" she asked rather timidly as he onyx gaze eyed him pleadingly. Itachi placed the lily behind her ear and gave a tiny smile.

"That he did, I made sure of it." She smiled at that, turning back around in her chair as Ino came into the room.

"All right, carnations it is. Hey, the lily looks good there." She commented as Ayako turned her head away with a blush.

"Thanks obasan. How much do I owe you?"

"Nah, don't mention it… consider it a gift." Ayako scoffed.

"That's what you said the last time… and if I remember correctly, you cornered me and made me cough up info." Ino was flabbergasted.

"Well I never… I didn't corner you, I just demanded answers." She defended as she crossed her arms.

"That's the same thing." Itachi said as he took hold of the wheelchair and propelled them towards the door. They were gone before Ino could get another word in. She stomped her foot but smiled all the same. It was nice to see Itachi out and about with his favorite child. Well, it was a little weird seeing the proud Uchiha clan leader pushing a wheelchair around and with Ayako in it no less! Had she not cut her finger on the paper while wrapping the flowers, Ino could have sworn she was dreaming.

~xxx~

The cemetery laid just passed the memorial stone on the east end of the village. Itachi and Ayako didn't speak much as they came up to the fresh grave. The headstone didn't have the Leaf emblem carved on it like the others did, but his name was clearly visible on the chiseled stone. Kabuto's last words were also written on the headstone along with the words, 'He saved their lives for the sake of the Fire Nation.'

"He's a hero that will never truly know what he did for us." Ayako spoke as she leaned forward and placed the flowers next to the headstone. Itachi said nothing as he let her words mull over in his mind. There were so many ways he could take what she said but he settled for the friendship his daughter shared with the noble son.

"I believe he knew what he was doing." He said as Ayako sat back in the wheelchair. "Not many people willingly forfeit their lives because they can." Itachi was looking at the headstone while speaking so he couldn't see the thoughtful look on her face. "Kabuto-san gave up his life to cleanse his soul… not for himself but for the two of you."

"What do you mean by that papa?" she asked watching a hummingbird flutter about the other headstones. Itachi placed his hands on her shoulders and gave a light squeeze.

"He saw something in the two of you that made him want to help you." He explained while leaning over to whisper in her ear. "That and you believed him, believed in him, trusted him and helped him in return." Ayako was nodding, seeing his reasoning. It made sense the more she thought about it. Though she knew he was merely guessing at Kabuto's true intentions. But it still made sense.

"Thank you… both of you." She whispered, to Itachi and to Kabuto's spirit that seemed to linger in the air around her.

"Let's go home. The boys are going crazy without you." He told her and turned her in the direction of home; the Uchiha district.

~xxx~

"Can't I at least walk through the front door?" she whined while being pushed through the crowded streets of the district. It seemed that everyone had stopped what they were doing to welcome her back… even those outside of the clan had smiled and voiced their welcomes.

"You can walk through the front door if you can make it up the front steps." Itachi responded only to hear Ayako heave a sigh of defeat. Even the puppy face had no effect on him. There was just no winning when you went against Uchiha Itachi. They came to a stop at the stairs and she stood up slowly, grabbing a hold of the railing. Her leg was still sore from the wound and lying in bed for the better half of three weeks, thus making walking a slight task.

"Here goes nothing." Ayako whispered as she lifted one foot and placed it on the first step. With a grunt, she put her weight on her foot and started walking. It took her a minute to walk up the seven steps to the front door, but she did it and Itachi was smiling at her accomplishment.

"I guess that means you can walk through the front door." He commented dryly as he hefted the wheelchair up the stairs and opened the door. Wiping the sweat from her brow, Ayako strode through the entryway and kicked off her sandals.

"Hello people, I'm home." She called walking down the hall toward the living room. There were running footsteps coming from upstairs. She could see her brothers pause at the top of the stairs, staring at her as if her were a mirage. Ayako opened her arms and smiled at her brothers. "What? Don't I get hugs anymore?" Shiro and Akito bolted down the stairs and just about knocked her over as they barreled into their older sister.

"I've never been so happy to see you." Well, that made Ayako feel so much better.

"Gee, thanks Shiro. I'm glad to see you too." She said dryly.

"I didn't mean it like that. God, you're impossible." The boy responded as he looked up at her. "You look pale… are you sure they didn't let you loose too soon?" Shiro asked as Ayako glared at him.

"I'll give you a five second head start… and I suggest you run fast." She said watching him smirk.

"With that limp… I'd be long gone in two seconds." Oh, how the kid was asking for it.

"Ah, but you forget otouto… I can still throw kunai." That shut him up. "Seriously, I'm glad to see you, both of you." Smartly, Akito decided to keep quiet… even though his brother and sister were only kidding.

"Yak-chan, your stuff is ready for your shower." Sakura called from upstairs.

"I'll be right up." She called back and knelt, difficultly, in front of her brothers. Ayako kissed them both on the cheek and gave them a bear hug before standing and making her way up the stairs. With help from the banister, Ayako made it up the fifteen steps and around the corner. She paused to catch her breath and continued on to her room which, thankfully, was the first door on the right. "And please, stop calling me 'Yak-chan'!" her bedroom door slammed closed.

~xxx~

Hideki picked up his gift for Ayako and peered inside the box. Just the one he wanted… he only prayed Ayako would like it too. That and he hoped Karachi wouldn't get pissed. Of course, he had help picking it out with his new friends Hinato and Hattori. The boys had spent most of the morning looking for the right gift for Ayako and thus they settled on the little thing in the box that whimpered to be let out.

"Are you sure getting her that is alright? I mean, won't Itachi-sama have a fit?" Hinato asked scratching the back of his neck nervously.

"I spoke with Itachi-sama when I arrived this morning and this was on the list of things he found appropriate." Hideki said with a smile.

"I must say that it's good to see Itachi-sama finally letting Ayako do as she wishes." Hattori said as they turned the corner and entered the Uchiha district.

"She's always been able to do what she wished." Hinato said with a smile. "It's just the whole 'boyfriend' thing that he's had a problem with."

"Do you think he'll have a problem if I asked her out?" the hesitant question was met with silence for a moment.

"You saved her life, there's no way in hell he'll have a problem with you." Hinato proclaimed loudly. There was a tiny yip from inside the box.

"Hinato, I think you scared the little guy." Hattori said as he looked through one of the holes on the side.

"Nonsense, he totally agrees with me. Right boy?" he patted the box and received a growl in return.

"That makes me feel so much better." He somberly sighed while peering into the box. A little floppy-eared, grey head popped out and licked his chin. "Thanks for the support little guy, now get back in there or you'll ruin the surprise."

"So… Itachi finally broke down and let her get a dog?" Sasuke asked from behind with a smirk.

"It's a ninken from the Inuzuka clan… if that helps." Hinato said as they turned and waited for him to catch up. Sasuke peered into the box and smirked. No, he smiled. Wait, what? Oh my god… Sasuke smiled! It was small… but still there as he looked over the pooch.

"Ayako's always wanted a puppy." He said as he reached in and ran his fingers over the pup's snout. "And with him being a ninken, Itachi won't have any objections."

"Hi guys, what's in the box?" Ayako asked as she walked around the corner. They guys had been standing in front of the house for the last five minutes… and Ayako got tired of waiting for them. Hideki blushed as he turned to face her. With a not-so-gentle shove from Hinato, Hideki walked towards her and smiled.

"He's for you." He said holding the box out to her. As if on cue, the puppy's head popped up and stared at her with big blue eyes. Her mouth dropped open as she stared right back.

"Ruff, ruff!" the dog happily barked with his tail beating against the inside of the box. Ayako plucked him from the box and beamed at the sliver/grey Great Dane pup. He licked her face making Ayako giggle in delight as she held him close.

"Thank you so much Hideki. I love him." She smiled as she looked at him. Hideki smiled back and gave a small nod. She would have kissed him had there not been prying eyes.

"What will you name him?" Hattori asked as the rest of the group gathered around her and the small dog. Good question. She held the pup up to her face and looked into his eyes.

"How about… Duke?" she asked and received a tight bark in response. Ayako smiled. "Alright, Duke it is." The group went inside after that and Ayako showed off her new pet to everyone in the house. You see, Sakura planned a 'Welcome Home' party for Ayako and there were a lot of people floating around the house.

She introduced the noble family to many of her colleagues and friends they hadn't met yet. Duke walked about the house as if scoping out the guests for possible threats. Well duh, he is a ninken after all. An hour later, Duke returned to trailing after Ayako as she waved her way through the room and towards the back of the house. They slipped out the back and into the courtyard where it was much quieter. Ayako picked up a small stick and tossed it into the yard, watching as Duke ran after it then brought it back. He laid it at her feet and moved to stand next to her, waiting for her to throw it again.

"Good boy, Duke. Go get it!" she said and tossed the stick again. Ayako giggled as the puppy took off after the stick and clumsily brought it back. He'd get better at it, she knew that. At least she had some quiet time to think and play with Duke. There were footsteps behind her. Ayako didn't need to turn around to know that Itachi was watching her. He sat down on the porch and motioned for her to sit with him as Duke ran back with the stick in his mouth. She did with a smile.

"Hideki asked me permission to date you." He stated, getting straight to the point. Ayako didn't say anything for a moment, letting the new information digest in her mind.

"And?" she asked while Duke chewed contentedly on the stick in her lap.

"When ever you feel ready to, you may go with him." He said while Ayako stared at him. Then she beamed at him and threw her arms around his middle, hugging him tightly.

"Thank you papa." She whispered into his chest while his arms secured her there. He let her go after a time and together, they walked back inside with Duke hot on their heels. Ayako found Hideki minutes later and they arranged it so they could get together the following night.

~xxx~

"What's this I hear about a Code 4?" Ino called as she entered the house around four in the evening. Sakura's big mouth again. Ino found out later on at the party that Hideki and Ayako were going out and only now was called in to help the girl out. Ayako was currently scrambling around in her room looking for something to wear when Ino and Sakura walked into her room. Sakura had been able to work the stiffness out of her leg so she was able to get around a lot better today. Duke lay on the bed, watching with his head cocked to the side as his master frantically dug through her closet.

"My god… where the heck is it?!" she growled turning away from the closet and towards the dresser. Ayako was looking for one item in particular; a shirt that she had gotten for her sixteenth birthday. She was wearing a pair of blue jeans that clung to her hips, very comfortable and made to fit, a white, strapless bra and her black sandals. Now, the red, wide-neck silk shirt was missing. Ayako growled again and stalked towards her dresser. "I swear if it's not here I'm going to scream."

"Missing something important?" Ino asked as she took in the sight of the raven-haired girl. Ayako was ready to give up when Sakura produced said shirt from a box.

"I figured you'd want it pressed before you went out." There was a pause as if Ayako would explode. But she smiled instead.

"I thought I was going crazy." Ayako said as she took the shirt from her mother and slipped it over her head.

"Let's do something about that hair of yours." Ino stepped forward and pushed Ayako towards the bathroom. By now, Duke had had enough and hopped off the bed, making his way down the stairs. He found Itachi lounging on the chair and joined him.

"Girls huh?" he said to the pup and received a low grunt in response.

~xxx~

Hideki was early but no one seemed to mind. He had arrived with Hinato, his ANBU guard for the evening, and they sat in the living room with Itachi and Duke.

"I swear to god Ino; one more picture and I'll pulverize you!" they heard Ayako yell from upstairs. She certainly sounded pissed and irritated.

"Spoil sport!" Ino said back and the bedroom door opened. Sakura and Ino came down the stairs first and walked into the living room. Then Ayako was descending the stairs wearing her blue jeans and the red silk top she had been searching for with a light jacket draped over one arm. Her hair had been pulled bad into a bun with a senbon holding it in place. Make up minimal to nonexistent, so little you could barely tell.

Hideki had to take a deep breath to keep himself from passing out. She was beautiful. He stood to meet her wearing a blue dress shirt and a black pair of pants that he had barrowed from Hinato. Hideki smiled as Ayako moved away from the stairs and walked towards the living room.

Click

"Ino, that's enough for crying out loud!" Ayako hissed as Ino put her hands behind her back.

"It's not my fault you two are so cute together." She defended with a knowing smile. Itachi stood from the couch and walked over to the pair.

"I want you home by eleven." He said then shook Hideki's hand and gave Ayako a quick hug before retreating to the back office. Duke sat by the door, an expectant eye on the pair. A little startled, Ayako knelt down and smoothed Duke's coat.

"Stay with papa. I'll be home soon." She said with a smile.

Ayako knew Itachi was having a hard time letting go and hated change. And with her relationship with Hideki at the forefront of that… Itachi had been reluctant to let it go any further than it had. Now though, he was giving her a chance to do what she wanted while watching from afar, just in case. The couple left a minute later… Ino had tried to take another picture to which Ayako snatched the camera away and threw it outside.

~xxx~

They walked down the road hand-in-hand with Hinato watching them from a distance away. He was the ANBU escort for the evening, but he didn't want to impede on their date. So, Hinato hung back a few yards; far enough to not over hear anything but close enough to keep an eye on them.

"You look beautiful." Hideki said out of the blue while they walked. Ayako gave a coy smile as she looked up at him.

"You look good too. I was curious as to what you looked like in normal clothing and not the fancy ones I'm used to seeing you in." She looked him over and smiled a little more. "Not bad." He gave a tiny smile of his own and gripped her hand tighter.

"I have a question." He said with his head cocked to the side. "Why did Itachi-sama shake my hand?"

Ayako giggled and slipped her arm around Hideki's while leaning her head on his shoulder. "That's papa's way of showing he trusts you." Then she stopped walking and made him turn to face her. In doing so, Hinato stopped walking and turned his gaze to the buildings around them. "You saved my life, Hideki. I'll never be able to repay you for what you've done for me; all I wish is that you could stay with me." Hideki's hand came up and cupped her cheek.

"That's going to be a little difficult but I'll try." He smiled leaning down and pressing his lips to hers. They separated after a moment and stared at each other.

"I heard you back in the hospital. I heard you before you left." She whispered to him with flushed cheeks.

"I meant every word." He replied as his forehead rested on hers. Warmth spread through their bodies –everything felt… right at that moment. They resumed walking a moment later but not before they shared another kiss and a few whispered words.

The restaurant was spacious yet quiet. The couple sat by the window talking about anything and everything under the sun. Most of the time they talked about their time in the cell which prompted the question; what about the future? The bond they had formed only grew during those days in the Akatsuki base and now they weren't sure if it was truly love they felt or just the comfort in knowing the other was alright.

"This does put a damper on things." Hideki commented watching Ayako nod in agreement.

"Well, if it doesn't work out this way, at least we know we can still be friends." She said with a light frown on her lips. That didn't sound right to her… didn't like the way it felt in her heart. She knew she was wrong… not about the friends half but the working out part. Ayako could make anything work but Hideki was the noble son and she would inherit the Uchiha clan. How the hell was that supposed to work out? She lost her appetite thinking about it.

"I'm sure we can make this work." Hideki said as he took her hands in his. "Let's test the waters for a while and if we feel that we're getting somewhere, we can talk to our parents and work something out. We just have to give it some time."

"You're right." Ayako agreed with a smile. "If you really want something, you have to work for it."

"Let's get out of here, it's getting late and I'm sure Itachi-sama is waiting up for you." With that said, Hideki paid for the meal and they exited the restaurant.

The walk home was a quiet one. They were content in the knowledge that they were trying. Hideki and Ayako turned the corner with Hinato not far behind… and they stopped. There were two dark figures standing in the way, blocking the road to the Uchiha district.

"It's about damn time you showed up." One of them said the voice so familiar it haunted Ayako's dreams. "Now, come with us or I'll kill Blondie for good this time."

"You can't fight in your condition, Ayako-san. Come with us and no harm will come to you." The other said in a calm and even tone.

Ayako's worst nightmare now stood before her… and she wasn't going to give into them.