It had been three years since the Kyuubi attack. Itachi and Shisui had grown even closer to the two shrine girls in that time, despite Koka becoming more withdrawn after the deaths of Kushina and Minato. The girl rarely left the shrine anymore, leaving only on the rare occasions she needed a new kimono or to visit the Uchiha compound with Kaede.
Itachi and Shisui were both in the academy but continued to visit the shrine nearly every day. It was also around that time that Itachi began to notice a change in Koka. The girl was quieter than normal and taken to sitting in her room and reading more. None of the others seemed to notice it though, so Itachi remained silent about it. Instead he resolved to watch over her, worrying about his friend.
Today, however, was slightly different. Itachi and Shisui both graduated from the academy and received their forehead protectors. They were attending the graduation ceremony, and as such, Itachi and Shisui had been unable to visit the shrine. The two were antsy, waiting for the ceremony to be over, though it did not show on their Uchiha faces. The two of them wanted to see their friends. They stood on the stage and looked out over the crowd.
Their eyes swiftly picked out the Uchiha clan members who had shown up. Next to Mikoto, who had a young Sasuke in her arms, and Fugaku stood Heiwa. When Itachi and Shisui caught sight of the small figures beside her, they felt the tension leave their bodies.
Clad in a new pale pink kimono stood Kaede, waving to the two boys and bursting with joy. The pride she had on her face for her two friends was evident. But it was Koka, dressed in a sky blue kimono that sent relief coursing through Itachi. The blue eyed girl stood quietly beside Kaede, gazing up at the two Uchiha. Their friends had come.
After the ceremony, Itachi and Shisui dashed off to meet up with Mikoto, Fugaku, Heiwa and the girls. Upon seeing them, Kaede threw all restraint aside and ran to the two boys, nearly knocking them over with the force of her hug.
"I'm so happy for you guys!" She gushed on to the two of them, Itachi stoically bearing it while Shisui began to blush. Heiwa and Mikoto laughed.
"We're all proud of you two." Mikoto smiled at them. Sasuke called for his elder brother from his mother's arms. Fugaku stood silent, a stern figure of their group. Itachi's eyes searched out Koka.
The girl was quiet. Her eyes closed and head slightly bowed. As if sensing his gaze, Koka opened up her eyes, the remnants of a vision swiftly disappearing, and met his own. He searched her gaze for a moment, ensuring that everything was well. The girl remained impassive.
Itachi was dragged away from his silent questioning by Sasuke, who was demanding attention. Itachi relented and brought his little brother into his arms.
"Now, let's go back to the shrine and celebrate." Heiwa and Mikoto began leading the children away, Fugaku next to his wife.
Itachi and Shisui were lost for words when they arrived at the shrine. Shortly before they had come into sight of it, Kaede had insisted on blind folded the two of them. Both boys had complied, if a bit reluctantly. But when they had arrived and removed the blindfolds, the two newly made genin understood why.
The entire shrine had been decorated. Along the pathways lanterns had been hung, lighting up the stones. From the trees more lanterns and decorations had been hung while the front of the main building had strings of streamers over the entrance top. Each item had the Uchiha colors or the boys' favorite colors.
"It's like a festival." Shisui breathed out. Itachi had to agree. It really was like a small personal festival for the group.
"Kakashi, you're just on time." Itachi looked behind him to see Heiwa and Mikoto greeting the silver haired teen. The ANBU sent a mock glare at Koka.
"I told him to come three hours earlier than the start." Koka stated blandly. Itachi could have sworn she looked smug. And nervous?
Kaede derailed anything he was about to say. "You have to see the inside still!" The eleven year old grabbed Shisui and dragged him inside. The Uchiha boy had been blushing too much to protest. Koka followed them at a more sedate pace before looking over her shoulder at Itachi.
"Come on." The young prodigy fell into step with her.
The living room had been decorated as well with streamers and hanging decorations. A table had been set up on the side with a small pile of gifts. Itachi could smell something mouthwatering coming from the kitchen as well.
"Surprise!" Kaede said to the boys, both still in awe. Kakashi and the adults filed in behind the four children, Sasuke back in his mother's arms.
The nine of them sat around a table to eat. Kakashi sat between Heiwa and Itachi. Koka sat on Itachi's other side while Kaede sat next to her, Shisui on the older girl's remaining side. Fugaku, to Itachi's surprise, had remained and sat beside the older Uchiha boy. Sasuke sat between the older women as Mikoto sat next to her husband.
Shisui ate everything he could while talking to Kaede, pleased with the young girl's attention. Heiwa and Mikoto fussed over Sasuke. Fugaku and Kakashi talked about the police and shinobi missions. Koka was quiet as she ate, adding only a few comments along with Itachi when Shisui or Kaede demanded it. The young prodigy took it all in, a warm feeling in his chest.
"Koka planned this you know." Itachi looked over at Kakashi in surprise. Kakashi only nodded to his silent question.
"She did most of the decorating too." The girl in question scowled at Kakashi as Itachi looked at the girl in wonder.
"She would have been in the kitchen helping us too. But she's too short still." Kaede had joined in on the conversation. Koka studiously ate her food, opting to remain silent as red began to dust her cheeks. Itachi could not help but smile, having never seen his friend so flustered. The warm feeling in his chest grew.
Dinner had progressed without a hitch. Afterwards, the two boys had received presents from everyone. Fugaku and Mikoto had given both Itachi and Shisui Uchiha jutsu scrolls. Kakashi had given them new weapons and kits for their upkeep. Heiwa had given Itachi a book he had had his eye on, while she gave Shisui a harness for the tanto he now carried as a gift from his father. It was only then that Itachi noticed Koka's increased nervousness and Kaede's excitement, something Shisui also picked up on.
Both girls pulled out a small box from their sleeve, causing Itachi to wonder how he had not noticed it beforehand. Kaede held out hers to Shisui while Koka gave the other to Itachi.
"They're from both of us." The younger girl mumbled out. Her face was far redder than Itachi had thought it could get. Carefully he opened the box and stared in wonder at what it held.
Inside lay a thin silver chain necklace. Two charms were attached to it, a small butterfly and a small raven. Both were incredibly detailed. Similarly, Shisui received one with a maple leaf and a raven.
"It's for good luck." Koka averted her eyes from Itachi's face as she said it.
"I'll always treasure it." Blue eyes met his own black ones. She gave him a nod and Itachi smiled.
The warmth in his chest never left.