Ritsuko stirred awake to feel a pair of lips run along her neck and down her shoulder. "Stop, that tickles," she giggled softly as she pressed a hand against Kisame's chest.

He rested his hand over hers as he chuckled. "Forgive me, I couldn't resist another taste."

She opened her eyes to see his shining eyes smiling back at her. "Good morning Sleeping Beauty," he teased as he gave her a soft kiss.

She glanced at the clock over his shoulder. "More like good evening," she laughed. "Look," she pointed at it.

He did and gasped. "Oh no! I was supposed to work today! I'd better call and apologize." He jumped out of bed stark naked and ran down the hallway. She whistled at him from behind, then climbed out of bed and stretched. While he was on the phone making his excuses, she slipped into the shower. As she dried off she gazed at her reflection in the mirror. There were several bruises along her neck, under her chin, on her shoulders, and between her breasts. He was such a beast! But she had no regrets, knowing full well that she'd left several marks on him too.

She walked out with a towel wrapped around herself and another around her head. Chie mewed happily and bounded over to greet her. Ritsuko smiled as she knelt down on the floor. "Hey there Chie. Did you miss me?" She purred loudly in response as she curled into Ritsuko's lap and licked her hand.

"I'm so sorry, Mrs. Aomori," Kisame said again.

"Not a problem, it was a slow day today," the lady reassured him. "It's not like you to forget though, are you feeling ill?"

He stretched his stiff neck. Now that he thought about it, he felt sore and stiff all over. "More or less," he chuckled.

"Then why don't you take tomorrow off as well?" She suggested. "Rest well Mr. Hoshigaki and I'll see you on Monday."

"Yes, thank you," he said gratefully and then hung up. He turned to see Ritsuko petting Chie and smiled down at the sight. "She really missed you."

"I can see that," Ritsuko grinned and his heart melted at the sight. She looked even more beautiful when she smiled. She stood up and lowered her gaze modestly as she self-consciously adjusted the towel around her.

He chuckled as he pulled her into his arms. "Why so modest all of a sudden?" He teased as he tugged on her towel. "You practically tore my clothes off last night."

She went even redder which made him laugh. "Oh Suko, you're so adorable when you blush."

"Oh shut up," she scowled as she pulled away, her face was still red. She turned and walked back into his room. He was tempted to follow after her, but decided to take a shower instead. The hot water felt good against his bruised skin. Next time he'd better be gentler with her. He wasn't sure just how much man-handling he could handle. Still the memory of the previous night made him grin from ear to ear. She was a real spitfire in bed.

After drying off he wrapped a towel around his waist and came out to find her dressed in some of his clothes. The shirt was long and she had rolled up the pants. "Sorry, but I can't really change into my clothes again."

"That's ok," he reassured her. "I'll drive you by Shizako's place later to collect your things."

She squeaked in horror. "Oh crap! She's probably really worried about me. I better give her a call." She flew to the living room where her coat lay discarded on the floor. She cursed as she checked her inbox. "She left ten messages, ugh she's gonna KILL me I just know it."

"She's a bit over-protective, isn't she?" He asked suspiciously.

"Sometimes," she said with a soft hint of a smile. "But it's nice to be worried about."

He softened at that as he realized the unspoken truth behind that statement. "You were alone often…weren't you?"

She flinched at that. "I don't…really open up to people," she confessed. "It's hard for me to trust."

"Do you trust me?" He asked as he stepped closer.

She looked at him over her shoulder and smirked gently. "That's a stupid question to ask after yesterday, don't you think?"

He chuckled softly. "Yes I suppose so."

She turned away to dial the phone and he left to get dressed. Ritsuko was still on the phone when he came out so he decided to start making dinner. He was STARVING and he was sure she was too. He heard snippets of the conversation as he cooked.

"You're worrying about nothing," Ritsuko's voice sounded firm. "Well of course I didn't tell you that I liked him. For one thing I knew you wouldn't approve and for another I didn't think I'd ever have a chance with him….yeah…NO I wasn't drunk again and neither was he…Look I know it doesn't make sense. I mean he's so handsome and sexy and I'm—well-me…yeah, yeah but I figured he'd want a real woman…[giggles] no, he's ALL man I assure you."

He felt nauseous as he realized that Shizako had taken a dig at his manhood. The nerve!

It was quite for a moment and he wondered if she was off the phone already. Then she spoke again, more softly this time. "I love him Shiza…Yeah I know I said that about Kankuro but it feels different this time. It's not just the fantastic sex, its…more soul deep, you know? Like…he's a part of me [groans in frustration] I dunno know to describe it but it's like he's my missing piece. And for the first time ever…I feel complete."

His heart swelled with pride. He felt the same way too.

"Thanks," she said gratefully and he sensed that Shizako had given her approval. Then she suddenly laughed. "Alright, if that would make you feel better. See you in an hour."

He tried to look like as if he hadn't overheard when she entered the kitchen. "Can I help with anything?" She offered.

"You could cook the Penne," he suggested. She set about her task and remained silent. It started to bother him so at last he asked. "So what did Shizako have to say?"

"You'll find out soon enough," she smirked. "She's coming here in an hour to talk to you."

He frowned. "I don't have to answer to your friend. What I do with you is nobody's business."

"I know but Shizako's my best friend and I'd like her to approve of my boyfriend," she looked up at him with pleading eyes. "She isn't gonna lecture you, I promise. She just wants to make sure that I'm not dating another jerk."

He sighed. "I don't like being compared to Kankuro either."

She giggled. "Sorry about that. She just doesn't want to see me get hurt again."

He hugged her against his side and kissed the top of her head. "I'd never hurt you like that Suko." It hurt that she didn't respond to that but he understood what a leap of faith she was already taking to be with him and let it slide.

Together they finished cooking and sat down to eat Baked Cavatelli with salad and garlic bread. She smiled as she took the first bite. "I've really missed your cooking. It's the best."

"Thanks," he smiled. "My Grandfather taught me. He was a famous chef."

"What about your parents?" She asked. "Didn't they cook well?"

He shrugged. "I don't really know. They died in a car accident when I was young."

"I'm sorry," she said sympathetically.

"Don't worry about it; it happened when I was three. I don't really remember much about them."

"What do you remember?" She asked gently.

He paused at that. "I remember…" he frowned for a moment as he tried hard to. Then he smiled gently. "My mother always wore a pearl necklace. I don't know why, but she treasured it. And as for my father I remember paper airplanes."

She frowned in confusion. "Paper airplanes? What?"

"He used to make them for me all the time and we'd fly them together." His smile softened. "Yeah, the other things I know about them I learned from Grandfather."

"So he raised you then?"

He nodded. "Yeah, he was a great man."

"Was?" She asked softly.

"He died two years ago."

"I'm sorry," she said again.

"I don't think he is," he chuckled wryly. "I was a real handful as a kid; I'm sort of surprised that he lived as long as he did."

"How could you say that?!" She cried out in surprise. How could he be laughing about something like this?

He ruffled her hair. "Don't look so shocked. He's at peace now and with his wife and daughter again, so I know he's happy." He smiled warmly. "Just knowing that…eases the heartache."

She softened at that and nodded. The rest of dinner took on a more comical tone as he shared some of his childhood exploits. "You really were a little monster, weren't you?" Ritsuko laughed.

"And what about you?" He teased as he tapped her nose. "I bet you raised hell too."

She chuckled darkly. "Oh yes. I was a foster parents' nightmare."

"How come?" He asked honestly. "I would think you'd be grateful to get away from your parents."

Her expression fell and she picked at her food. "Actually I wanted to go back home."

That shocked him. "Why? After what they let happen to you?"

She looked exasperated. "I know. I understand now why I had to leave. But I was just a kid then. Home was all I really knew and I didn't want to lose that. I thought that if I was bad enough I'd be sent back. Instead I just got sent to a different house. So I kept up the act, thinking that eventually they'd run out of houses to send me to and have to give me back. But that never happened. Then I met Shizako and she helped me realize just how stupid I was being and helped me find purpose again." She smiled fondly, her eyes shined with unshed tears which caught him off guard. "She was like my guardian angel, saving me from myself...I'd be lost without her."

In that moment Kisame realized just how precious their friendship was so he decided then to be on his best behavior when Shizako came. Later that night, she brought Ritsuko's things. She left to get changed, leaving Kisame and Shizako alone in the living room.

She fidgeted slightly as the awkwardness of the moment was felt. "Listen Kisame…I uh-"

"Thank you," he murmured as he bowed his head.

"Excuse me?" She blurted out in surprise.

He smiled warmly. "Now I understand just how much you mean to Ritsuko. You were there for her when no one else was. You were her first real friend. I can understand why you don't trust me. I was such a jerk to take advantage of her like that before. But things have changed now and I love Ritsuko, very much. She's important to me as well as to you. I'll take good care of her and treat her like the princess she is. I promise."

Shizako looked confused. This wasn't what she was expecting. But he looked sincere and honest…and now she knew how Ritsuko felt about him. So who was she to stand in the way of her friend's happiness? She grinned and nodded. "Alright, I'll hold you to that promise."

Itachi, however, was much less understanding. After Shizako had told him about it, he immediately called him on the phone. "Have you lost your mind?!" he snapped.

"Ah, I take it that you've heard the good news," Kisame teased.

"Cut the crap!" Itachi growled. "You cannot be serious about that girl!"

"She's your girlfriend's best friend," he reminded him.

"I don't care! That has nothing to do with this! She is a child compared to you! If Kaneko could desert you, then think of how easily a teenager could!"

That struck a nerve with Kisame…as it was intended to. "Kaneko's problem was her maturity. It had NOTHING to do with age!" He seethed.

And with that he hung up the phone. Itachi tried to call him back but there was no answer. For days his phone was turned off. Itachi confided his anger/frustration to Shizako. She nodded sympathetically. "Yes I was worried about it initially too but they're happy together. I've never seen Ritsuko smile so broadly and I'm happy for her…and for them. I don't see what your problem is though; don't you trust your friend?"

"I do its just that…I worry about the age difference. Ten years is a wide gap. I worry that it'll only cause them problems in the end. He's older, more mature…when he has a mind to be, and he'll want things that Ritsuko might not have even thought of."

"Such as?" She pressed.

"Well marriage for one thing," Itachi said. "Do you think she's ready for marriage?"

"No, I don't," she confessed. "I doubt she's even thought that far ahead."

"There you go then," he said matter-of-factly. "Now don't misunderstand me, I do wish the two of them well. I just worry that their differences will overcome their similarities. I hate to see him heartbroken yet again by a careless girl."

Shizako sighed and lowered her gaze. "But we're different too Itachi…not really when it comes to age but just about everything else."

"What do you mean?" He asked softly as he drew closer.

She blushed at his closeness and bit her lip. "You come from a big important family. You have wealth and prestige. You're handsome and could have any girl you wanted. Instead you picked me; a social nobody with no connections and no set future. I'm really average at best so why did you settle for me?"

He stared wide-eyed at her. Did she really believe that? "I haven't settled," he reassured her. "You're the best person I've ever met. I don't care about connections. What I care about is that you love me for me. You have a big heart and are loyal to your friends and family. You're a beautiful soul inside and out." He pulled her into his arms and gently kissed her. "I am so grateful to have you in my life."

She smiled proudly at him. "Now don't you think that Kisame feels the same way about Suko?" That caught him off guard for a moment so she pressed her point. "Sometimes difference divide…and other times they don't matter at all. What matters is what you chose to focus on."

He considered her for a moment and then chuckled as he realized what she meant. "You are far wiser than me Shiza," he said as he kissed her forehead. "I'm going to find Kisame and grovel/beg for his forgiveness."

She giggled at the idea of the Uchiha doing that. "Let me know how it turns out."