Hello! I hope you'll like this chapter!

Disclaimer: I own the OCs in this fic, the rest is Masashi Kishomoto's. Sorry for any spelling mistakes or any OCCness.

Character age:

Akane, Itachi: 23

Naruto, Sasuke: 17-18

Shisui: 26

Kakashi: 31

"I mean, obviously I'm in your Division," Sasuke stated as if it was obvious.

"See?" Itachi just pursed his lips at us. "You're just not happy because you're under Kakashi's orders."

"So?"

"You're so insolent with your own girlfriend nii-san."

"You're the last person I want to hear talk about insolence." I let them talk, or bicker like the brothers they were, as I was working on strategies and stuff.

I had to spend time with my father too to prepare for war, and to my surprise, he had made a seal to counter space-time travel. Fighting against oji-chan was annoying so he made sure to trap anyone who could use the Hiraishin or anything similar to it.

Shisui told me he'd go deal with Kabuto if I ordered him too and he'd use Izanami if necessary. It was...reassuring, now I just had to hope that Shisui and Sasuke would make a good team.

Kou agreed too, not even looking for the reason I'd want him in my division. He just agreed. I asked for these three, four with Haku, to Tsunade-san who said sensei and her would back up my request, but that it should be granted as they all fit in my division anyway.

"I make a better team with her than you on the battlefield, it's just facts."

"We've trained together a lot."

"So did we." Itachi looked in my direction, clearly trying to make me take his side.

"I kind of have to agree with Sasuke on this one, sorry," I said. He frowned and turned his head away. "Come on, you know it's good thinking here."

"I don't have to like it."

"We never asked you to," I replied, standing up. I handed Sasuke a paper. "Here, Mom might ask you to help her prep seals next month. I already gave her a few things, but as I'll be away, I need you to take over for me regarding these topics." He looked over it.

"I can follow my instinct if there is only one aspect of something with the other aspects?"

"Yeah, they're within your range, I just wrote down what might still be too complex for you. Mom would be able to help you anyway."

"Got it." I shot Itachi a quick look, then Sasuke. "I have stuff to do, see you later." He put Sushi on the couch and left swiftly.

I got closer to my boyfriend and ran my fingers up his arm.

"I'm fine," he said, more annoyed than anything.

"I never said you weren't."

"Your behavior says it all." He looked down at me and I smiled gently. "I'm never glad about you leaving, I'll never be."

"I know." I kissed his cheek.

He shook his head and took a deep breath.

"If you're looking for me I'll be in the study."

"Do you want some help with the desk?"

"I think I can follow instructions to build a desk on my own sweetheart," he replied, walking away.

His old room was turned into a study for the both of us and guest room. His old desk stayed in it, like the closet as it was built in. The dresser was changed for a smaller one and the bed removed and stored in a unit.

There was a convertible now, that could welcome two people, and a desk below the window. We just received said desk, that had to be assembled. Itachi decided to do it.

I heard noises and Itachi cursing to himself from the living-room as I was quietly working on the table. At some point I decided to check on him.

I stopped at the doorstep and leaned against the frame, choosing to just check him out instead. It was very sunny, very hot and the sun was directly shining in the room. All of this to say, Itachi was shirtless, sweat running down his neck as he was lifting a piece of wood. I was more than thankful for the view, itching to go get my camera. And his ANBU tattoo was…

"What?" he asked me without looking at me.

"I huh...noth...nothing I just...wanted to see how you were doing and…"

"I'm fine."

"Huh huh…" He looked at me above his shoulder as my eyes were on his arms.

"You came to check me out." It broke me out of my thoughts.

"No, not at all." He smirked.

"Don't try to deny it when I caught you in the act." I bit my bottom lip. He also started to wear the same necklace as before.

Turned out it was a present from Shisui he never wore as it was not recommended. Once he left the village he did though, and he started doing it now.

I didn't hate it, as long he didn't get lost in his past life.

"Well, you check me out every chance you have, it's fair."

"I never said I didn't want you to." He looked at me up and down before going back to his desk.

I quietly went to the other desk and sat on it, still watching him.

"It's going to be annoying quickly though," he warned me without a glance.

"What are you gonna do about it?"

"Kick you out of the room," he stated firmly, not catching my innuendo.

"You'd...kick me out?" I asked, my finger playing with the top of my tank top, lowering it every now and then.

"Yes." He glanced at me and noticed what I was doing. "Are you trying to get in my pants?"

"For once it's this way around, are you really going to complain?"

"Well, I'm busy." I pouted. "Sorry. We did it last night anyway."

"Here I thought I could count on your high sex drive," I muttered to myself.

"It's your fault, I'm just very, very attracted to you in most situations."

"Yeah, I know," I said, puffing my chest. I joined him and touched the desk. It was not really stable. "Did you put all the nails in it?"

"I followed the instructions."

"Huh huh, it doesn't really look…" He frowned, sharp eyes on me daring me to continue my sentence. "Never mind?"

"It's fine."

"Do you think you could fuck me on it?" He raised a brow. "Hey, it's a way like another to make sure you built it right. Do you think it could handle us?" He shot it a look, then me, then the desk again and sighed, rolling his eyes.

"Probably not."

"And another case of me being right!" Somehow, my eyes fell on his chest, especially on the small scar that remained after I stabbed him in the chest. Itachi noticed, took my hand and put it on it.

"I've been thinking about something recently."

"About?"

"Well, in spite of it being a contraceptive seal, I still think it's very hot. Like your mark before, or even now. I guess...I think I want a tattoo of something."

"How much did your clan repress your actual personality?"

"More than I thought I guess," he admitted. "I don't know what though."

"How about…'Akane's property' and an arrow pointing at your cock?" I snickered to myself at his deadpan.

"You're truly the worst."

"It's true!" He just kept staring, waiting for me to finish laughing. "Alright, alright. Look, do you want words, or something symbolic or...where do you even want it?" He shrugged.

"Maybe on the scar." I blinked. "You'll have another look on your face then." I shook my head before kissing him.

"I'll leave you to your work," I whispered to him as I broke the kiss.

"Actually…" I raised a brow. He shot the failed desk a look. "Can you give me a hand?"

"Sure!" My hands went to his pants and he grabbed them with a pointed look. "Oh you mean the desk?"

"Yes. The desk. Not my pants." I puffed my cheek and he poked it. "Do you really want to do it right now?"

"I…no, it's just that soon I won't have an easy access to all of this," I explained to him, showing him with my hand. "I guess I'm fully processing it now." He poked my forehead.

"I'll visit, don't worry about it." Except if he were to be named Rokudaime after the war. "I told you, we'll make it work."

"...you never know when the distance gets too intense and you turn to some…" He put his hand on my mouth.

"I don't want to hear that from you Akane, it won't happen." I pursed my lips. "Trust me on that, I would never cheat on you, no matter how long it has been since the last time we saw each other."

"...I know 'tachi, just...I don't really want to go back into a long-distance relationship, I got too used to having you around." He smiled softly.

"It's the last thing I want as well, but you're going to be the Mizukage, it won't really work if you live in Konoha."

"Sadly." I took a deep breath. "Okay, that desk…"

Things started to go really fast. I was busy, Itachi was as well so we'd see each other in the evening, sometimes not even eating dinner together. My mom was busy, Itachi's dad too, Sasuke, Sakura, basically everyone I knew was busy in their own field. Naru was just there, trying to help but mainly waiting to leave the village. I asked Shisui if he'd go with him and he accepted.

Just like that, September rolled in. There was a small gathering at my mom's just...to be together one last time before the war. Mikoto-san even managed to bring Fugaku-san. Pictures were taken, it was a good night.

Hence why I had such a stomachache now I was at the gate, my Kiri jounin attire on instead of my regular clothes. Mom had been hugging me for the past five minutes now.

"Come on Mom," I whispered to her, patting her back.

"I know, I know," she replied. She took a deep breath and let me go, patting my cheek.

Naru took it upon himself to hug me, he was quicker though, and pulled Mom a little aside. I said goodbye to Sakura, then Tsunade, Kakashi just said we'd see each other in Kumo anyway, then Mikoto-san who hugged me tightly. I gave Fugaku-san a nod. Shisui patted my shoulder, still as awkward as ever as Itachi was watching. Then I found myself in front of the two brothers.

"Keep the best for last," Sasuke told me, taking a step back.

"Then shouldn't I step back?" Itachi retorted flatly.

"As if...dammit," Sasuke cursed as I hugged him. Itachi smirked.

"We'll see each other soon enough." I patted his back and let go before turning to his brother.

I already had my goodbyes with Sushi, Itachi watching against the wall of the hallway earlier, and we had a great night together.

Still, I hugged him tightly. He returned it in spite of us not being alone.

"I'll see you on the front line, probably," I whispered to him. "Don't die 'til then."

"The same goes to you," he replied in my ear. He kissed me softly on the lips. I smiled at him and went back to the gates.

"On this note, I'm off," I stated. I gulped, looking at them one last time and left.

I didn't waste time. I reached the coast after maybe three hours, teleported to the main island of the Land of Water and headed to Kiri. I reached it by nightfall.

Sensei blinked when she saw me in her office. I was panting, drinking water and sweating but…

"I know you can make the trip very quickly with the Hiraishin, but there was no need Akane. When did you leave?"

"This...this morning…" I managed to say. She shook her head.

"You're impossible." I nodded.

"I know, but I'm here."

"Great, welcome back, now go home."

"But I…"

"I will send you home." I pursed my lips and left.

Haku's face was priceless when he saw me in the kitchen, looking for food in the fridge.

"Uzu!" Suigetsu almost yelled behind Haku, Karin and Choujuro interrupting their talk. I raised my hand.

"Yo."

"When the Fifth said you'd be back early September, I didn't think it would be on the first…" Karin muttered.

"I'm quick." Choujuro shook his head.

"You've overdone it then."

"He…" I was engulfed in a tight hug by Haku. "Hey, I'm home."

"Welcome home Uzu-nee." I smiled.

I mean, I would miss Itachi and everyone, would need to get used to sleeping alone once more but...my heart still warmed up at his words, and at seeing these four in my apartment. I loved our place in Konoha, but Itachi bought it. Here...it was my place, my money…

I had two homes, and I would always remember it when I'd realize how much I'd missed one when I was back to it.

"I'm home," I repeated to him.

Despite going to bed early, the three guests stayed for dinner as it was planned and told me what I had missed.

"It's heavy work, that's for sure...I mean, it's…" Dai gave me a notebook. I looked through it and looked up at him. His dark circles were so much more logical now. "I see, you've done everything already basically."

He came to me as I was working in sensei's office as she was in the capital and touring...well not touring but going through the country to be sure civilians would be safe in case...of anything really. I was in charge for now.

Anyway, Dai came to me and suggested his medical kit to me. It was...a little bit more advanced than mine, of course, but more complete too. From medical seals, to stop bleeding, stop poison from spreading or remove it, to medicines and supplies, anything to make a wounded more stable to give them more chances of survival until a medic reached them…

People died on the field, but many wounded died on the way between them and a medic and these poor souls were overworked, and killed too. Dai focused on giving medics more time to reach the wounded by creating a kit for every member of the Alliance.

"I'm confident in making seals for medical purposes and I know you'll check my work after me," he told me as I was reading said work. "Send it to Shizune-san, she's gonna be the head of the Medical Division, right?" I nodded.

"Once I've given my stamp of approval regarding the seals, I'm sending it to Konoha. When it comes to filling the seals in question, Tsunade-san and Shizune-san will know what to do, whether it is doing it themselves or spreading the work among the Medical Corps. My mother will be able to double check behind me too so that the seals are neutral enough for everyone to use." I put his notebook down, put a bright yellow post-it on it with an 'URGENT' written and looked up at him. "Good work Dai, now got to sleep. A sleep-deprived medic is worse than a sleep-deprived shinobi."

"Yeah...yeah sleep that's…" he mumbled, going to the couch.

He fell on it and was asleep in a second. I didn't mean here but...I knew he'd spend time sleeping here when he'd help his sister with Mizukage business.

I stood up, walked to him and threw the blanket over his frame before going back to my papers. Soon the words would start to blur together, hence my coffee and tea stash on the side.

Two days later, sensei was still away. I was in her office, I barely left it for a shower and a real night sleep last night, when I heard Haku coming just by his footsteps.

"Come in Haku!" I said firmly before he knocked. He came in with someone, but I was reading. "What's up?"

"We have a message from Konoha."

"What is it?"

"Me." I blinked and looked up. Itachi merely raised a brow. I rubbed my eye. "I'm really here."

"What the…"

"I assume you're going to share a room?" Haku asked him. He nodded. "Good, then she'll come home to have proper rest for once," he muttered, shooting me a narrowed glance from the corner of his eyes. I averted my eyes.

He left quickly, leaving only Itachi and me.

"I left two weeks ago," I told him, slowly getting up. "What's going on?" He blinked.

"Oh nothing bad, don't go imagine the worst." I sighed in relief and sat back down. "No, a couple of days after you left Tsunade-sama asked me to go to Kumo then Kiri to give out some messages, Kakashi-san is taking care of Suna and Iwa." I pursed my lips.

"She sent Kakashi to Iwa?"

"She knows what she's doing, and the Tsuchikage won't dare try anything." I pursed my lips.

"When are you leaving then?" He deadpanned at me.

"Yes, I'm glad to see you too." I shook my head with a faint smile.

"No, you know it's not like that, it's just…"

"I know. Honestly if I'm good to go then tomorrow, or the day after tomorrow. The trip from Kumo to here was longer than expected, I even saw Naruto on the way."

"Where is he?"

"Right now, still in your national waters. They have to stop and everything, but in a few days I think they'll change boat for one from Kumo."

"Good." I felt his stare on me. "Anything else I should know?"

"No, it's just…" He showed my surroundings with his finger. "You look good here." I blushed a little. "Where is the Mizukage?"

"Going around the country to make sure the civilians are taking care of and do some reassuring too. I'm here, she can do that." I leaned against the back of my chair. "Do you remember the way back to my place?" He nodded and walked closer to the desk, putting a scroll on it.

"Don't worry, I won't get lost." He frowned at my face. "From your awful look, I take it Haku's right?"

"Geez, why are you already mean?"

"You're not taking care of yourself, I'll be honest. Not mean."

"There are ways to say things Uchiha," I retorted wryly, making him smirk. "There's a lot to do, that's all. And when it's not Mizukage business, then I try to do my own thing. Don't go to the training areas, one of the lakes, its surroundings are...not pretty to look at."

"I wasn't planning to, but thanks for the warning." I took the scroll.

"Is it just a message or does it require negotiations or something like that?"

"It's better if I stay here to talk about it after." I showed him the couch with my hand.

"Make yourself at home." I made him a cup of tea and brought it to him.

It was just about financing the war overall, try to organize the after a minimum and some other, practical aspect, like strategies and stuff. I could feel a headache forming as the sun was casting an orange shade on the cliff around Kiri.

"I agree with it, just report the few things I noticed please," I told him, rubbing my forehead.

"The Mizukage doesn't have to validate it for good?" I shot him an amused smile.

"She has many reasons to trust me to handle things here without checking behind me. I was shadowing Kakashi as the Hokage, I learned more than I already knew."

"Hn." He stood up and looked down at me. "So, night is falling, you should call it a day."

"Bu…"

"Haku won't like it if you don't." I sighed, beaten.

"Fine, you win." I got up and cracked my back. "Right, there are kids at my place." He raised a brow. "Dai was on babysitting duty, don't worry, and Haku should be home too."

We went home quietly. Itachi would still quietly look around. I mean, he had been here a few times now, but never truly lived here. It was nice of him to be interested in it.

"I'm ho…" The door was barely opened that my legs were tackled. Itachi, who was right behind me, caught me easily, his arms under mine. I looked down. "Fubuki," I said in a scolding tone. "What did your mom say about tackling people like that?"

"Surprise for great shinobi!" he replied eagerly, green eyes sparkling. I rolled my eyes. "Okay…" he pouted as he let me go.

I picked him up.

"Where's your uncle?"

"Napping since Kagura naps." I nodded.

"Kagura?" Itachi wondered behind me, closing the door.

"Oh right, Naoto's and Jun's son. My godson."

"Since when do you have a godson?"

"...a long time actually."

Sensei did tell me, before, that Naoto had told her he wished I had been around for his son. After all, the link between his family and mine...it was an old one by now.

"Who's that Aunty?" Fubuki asked me quietly, suspicious of Itachi.

"You met him last year, it's Itachi. Your mom told you how Sasuke was your babysitter sometimes? Itachi is his older brother."

"Sasuke? Is he here?"

"No, he's busy." He pouted. "But Uncle Itachi is cool too." He looked at him up and down.

"He looks cool," Fubuki agreed. Itachi smiled a little, amused. "It's your husband?" I blushed a little, Itachi shooting me an expecting glance.

"He's my boyfriend," I said, clearing my throat. "We'll see husband and wife business later on."

"I gotta potty," he said suddenly.

"Well then, go tell your uncle that." If anything, Dai was a father figure to Fubuki since Zabuza-san was dead. He'd turn four next February already. I turned to Itachi. "Go put your stuff in my room." He nodded as I went to the living-room.

Kagura looked up from the block he was about to put in his mouth when I got in. He was in the playpen and babbled at my sight. I grinned and picked him up, kissing his cheek loudly once he was in my arms.

"Did you have fun with Uncle Dai when I was away sweety?" I asked him. He patted my cheek with a grin. "You're so cute Kagura." I kissed his cheek again.

"But why me?" I heard Dai wonder from the hallway. "Itachi, you sure you don't want to do it?"

"He's your nephew and already has your hand Dai," Itachi replied flatly.

He quickly appeared in the living-room. I was playing with Kagura's fist as he giggled and made him waved at Itachi. He smiled at us and joined us.

"Here Kagura, it's Aunty's boyfriend Itachi," I told him as his curious pink eyes were on the Uchiha. "He's very nice, you'll see." He stretched out his chubby arms to him. "Oh, he's curious. Here." Itachi took him from my arms, settling him easily in his.

"Carrying a baby is way easier when you're not five," he commented with an amused smile.

"I bet." Kagura looked around him, his hands clenched on Itachi's shirt and bounced a little.

Ultimately, he put his head against Itachi's chest, and I gasped.

"So not fair," I pouted under my breath.

"What is it?"

"He does that when someone new carries him to see if he likes it. It took me three tries for him to do that and he just did immediately with you, not fair." Itachi shrugged with a smug smirk.

"I guess I'm naturally better than you."

"Haha, so funny." He chuckled and leaned toward me to lay a kiss on my cheek.

Kagura didn't like that and baby slapped him. Itachi blinked in confusion, and I just laughed at him as the baby was back in my arms, glaring at Itachi.

"You got slapped by a seven-month-old!"

"I have enough of Sushi who doesn't like when we kiss when she's around," he muttered under his breath.

"How is she?"

"Meowing every morning hoping you're going to give her breakfast last time I was home." I sighed sadly.

"I miss her furry little face."

"She misses you too." Kagura pulled on my shirt. "I think he's hungry."

"I think so. We would have smelled it if it was something else."

"Where's his food?" Itachi asked me, going to the kitchen.

"You don't have to…"

"I'm here, I'm not going to let you take care of him alone." I leaned my face against Kagura's head, watching Itachi looking around the kitchen.

"Blue bag, Jun always packs too much of everything he needs." Kagura was quickly in his chair, his napkin around his neck as his mashed vegetables and milk were in front of him. As Kagura had his fingers covered in mashed broccoli, Itachi turned around from the stove.

He was cooking for us. Dai had already left with Fubuki after quite a long bathroom time.

"Have I met this Jun?"

"No, she's officially a civilian." He put down dinner on the table, an inquisitive look on his face. "You know, civilians were rarely only civilians a few years ago. She was a nurse at the hospital, eventually she met Naoto and they fell in love. He proposed not long after Sasuke and I left and got married before the start of the war a year ago. She already was pregnant. She's a good person, extremely resilient and brave for a civilian."

"You wouldn't expect a regular civilian to fall in love with the son of a tyrant." I pursed my lips.

"You're damned right." I poked Kagura's chubby cheek. "He had a tough life before, both his parents passed away. It's…" I trailed off.

Who knew how the Kagura I knew was doing now…

When Haku got home, exhausted, we were doing the dishes. He went to bed quickly and I put Kagura to bed too. Naoto was away and Jun had a night shift, so Kagura was spending the night here. He had a crib in the guest room and a baby monitor was in my room and Haku's.

I just fell on my bed once I was ready to go to sleep. Itachi was already in it, writing things down in a scroll.

"Work at that hour?" I mumbled against the mattress.

"I'm getting my report ready as soon as possible, that's all," he replied smoothly, putting it on the nightstand. I slipped into bed with him and lay on him.

He cupped my face, raised it, and pressed a tender yet intense kiss on my lips. It lasted for a few seconds as I hugged him tight.

"I was wondering how long you could hold on," I confessed against his lips.

"I wanted to do it the moment we were alone, but you were filling in as the Mizukage. It was not the right time," he replied with a soft smile. "And then we were busy, so now."

"I missed you." He kissed me on the forehead as an answer, pressing me against him. "Do you...want to have sex? Bec…"

"I want to sleep," he interrupted me curtly. "I love you, but I'm exhausted, and your bed is comfortable." I chuckled against him.

"Good, we're on the same page," I whispered. "But cuddling?" He nodded.

"You're not getting out of that one."

"I'm not trying." I laid my head in the crook of his neck, snuggling against him. "Be honest, you started to project yourself when you saw Kagura."

"Way too much," he admitted quietly. "I'm not sorry."

"Don't be. It's...I never saw you with babies before, but I'm sure you'd be a great dad now." He pecked my nose.

"Only because you'd be the mom." I groaned and he chuckled. "I know, I know, I'm cheesy and corny."

"The whole scale 'tachi," I muttered, blushing against my will. "The whole fucking scale."

"Well, I haven't seen you in two weeks, I have to make up for it."

"How is it going to be once I have the hat then?" He smirked.

"A lot of fun for me." I rolled my eyes and rolled on my side, turning off the light.

"Good night." He quickly was spooning me. I put my hand on his.

"Good night sweetheart."

He left two days later, still too tired the next day to leave. He just...rested at home instead, playing with Kagura until Jun picked him up.

It was...nice but...this short interruption was quickly over. We did have a war to get ready for.

Hey! Thanks for reading and leave a review to tell me what you thought of this chapter! Thanks to Guest for their review and yes, Itachi loves and loathes the close relationship Sasuke and Akane have x)!

Bye!