I do not own Naruto.

Chapter 16

"And when Daiki grabbed him by the ankle—" Kanna made herself laugh recounting the events that had transpired earlier at a family dinner. Itachi had been present so her retelling of it was simply born out of a need to revisit the comedy.

He watched her walk a few steps ahead of him on the snow-covered path. She was wrapped in a simple coat and bucket hat. Her hair was a shade more silver than snow. Either way, she was lovely in the winter landscape.

They passed the bamboo forest, and he considered the frozen stream. How long had it been since it snowed? It wasn't common in this part of Kuni, but not unheard of. The snowfall began while they were eating. The Hatake family excitedly got up from the table and went outside. It had been Kanna's mother who pressured Itachi to join them.

Kanna clasped her hands behind her back and grinned at him. Walking backward was a poor idea…but she was actually very nimble, and he perceived she used chakra to walk over the two inches of snow. She left no footprints.

"Itachi," she said his name and it was for no reason at all, as she turned back around and continued down the path that led to Shisui's home.

Her spirits had lifted considerably. She was her old self and Itachi felt…full as he watched her.

"Itachi!" she called again further ahead and, with a giggle, ran over a small bridge and disappeared.

Itachi's dark eyes widened in surprise. When was the last time she used her technique? The Red Wood. The jutsu was flawless. He looked around with the sharingan. There was no trace of her.

Had she been practicing while he worked? The disappearing act sat ill at ease with him, but it was lighthearted play and he should not be so critical. Even so, how long would she keep him guessing? After some tome, he thought of calling out to her.

By a tree, she sprung up on him and tapped his back with both palms. "Boo!"

He looked down at her over his shoulder. "You've given yourself away."

Kanna lightly frowned, knuckles and cheeks pink with cold. "I was getting a little bored."

Itachi blinked away the sharingan. "I am quite boring."

She shrugged. "I like you like that." That…was certainly insulting.

"I see," he mumbled and turned to her. She was smiling again, happy to stand in a leafless woodland with him, surrounded by a blanket of ivory.

Kanna huffed when he stepped forward so much she tripped backward but a tree caught her. "Oof!" she whispered before the man leaned down and kissed her.

Maybe she hurt his feelings? Itachi tended to be indelicate with her. It probably came from not knowing how to express the desires he felt. The man was never so surprised until she came along. Instead of romantic gentleness, it's like he couldn't help himself. His love was at times brutish.

It's pretty adorable, Kanna thought.

Her hands grabbed hold of his elbow sleeves. When he parted from the kiss, they gazed at one another for a prolonged moment. She was the first to break eye contact, feeling embarrassed. He really was so intense.

He moved her against the tree and slanted his mouth over hers again, with more passion. Her bucket hat fell off with the abrasive handling. His arms tightly encircled her. They felt amazing around her. The warmth of their bodies pressing against each other was a feeling she'd never get tired of. Oh she couldn't wait to marry him!

She knew he was impatient for it. He had become adamant about sleeping in the library room these days.

Kanna remembered their Anbu audience and pushed at his chest. They would report to her father…so awkward.

Itachi stepped away, face unreadable as ever but the area around his mouth was pink. He picked up her hat and placed it on her head.

"Shall we go?" he said, offering his hand.

"Yes!"

Kanna and Mirai lay on their stomachs in the living area. Spring hadn't quite arrived. The air was nippy, so the shoji doors remained closed. Under a throw blanket with a sleeping cat, Kanna blushed at the book in her hands. It was a story about a woman who becomes cursed. She runs away from home and gets a job as a maid at a wizard's castle. They fall in love. The wizard is handsome but cold and out of tune with his emotions. But it doesn't stop him from—from—from—

"Oh!" Kanna blinked rapidly and closed the book, scanning the back of it. She didn't know it was one of those books. She peeked inside again.

Mirai looked over from a mission scroll. Even though Kanna was technically older now, Mirai had changed since becoming a jonin. She was often away from the village and she carried an air of confidence. She wasn't as jumpy as she used to be, or worried about whether she was a competent shinobi or not.

Those were positive things, but not all change was good.

"Kanna-chan," Mirai started in that tone she had used a few times this last season. It was always about the same thing: Uchiha Itachi.

"We're getting married soon," Kanna blushed under her blanket, "so it's okay not to go home. Tousan said I can stay if we do things the proper way."

"But you haven't."

"That was just one time. And we have Neko-san now…" Neko-san purred as Kanna scratched under her chin. She was so cute! Her little sleepy kitty.

Itachi had gotten her for them. Even though he didn't want to talk about it, Kanna knew he felt improper with what happened. 'I forgot myself,' he briefly said before dropping the subject. Not only was he from a different time, but he also came from a once noble clan. There are rules, he liked to remind her when she touched him too much or left her things everywhere.

Kanna wanted to do things the proper way too—but Itachi was just so beautiful and present. She wanted to just—just—just.

Mirai closed the scroll and sat seiza. "Don't marry him."

Kanna was too shocked to speak and thought maybe she misheard her friend. She carefully sat up, mindful of Neko-san's habitually sleeping form.

"I know you like him," Mirai choked up, neck red. "But he's done really bad things. How can you be okay to become a part of that? I didn't want to say this, because you're my best friend, but I'm worried. And I'm scared for you. It's like you can't see past your feelings. He's not the shiny gold star you think he is."

The more Mirai talked, the more Kanna's eyes widened. What was her friend saying? To not be with Itachi. How could she say it? The past four—no—the past two years, all Kanna wanted was to be by his side. She'd fallen in love by accident, and quickly, sure—but it was real. It was difficult—he was difficult—but she knew him. She knew him and he knew her.

She felt angry. And embarrassed that she had somehow convinced herself that Mirai's recent cold behavior was nothing to worry about.

Kanna stood on her feet and said, "You think I don't know him? I know everything about him!" Itachi held nothing back. He revealed all the things he had done in the name of justice—what he had done to protect his brother.

"Did you know," Mirai stood, too, on the verge of tears, "that he was part of the group that killed my father!"

Kanna's shoulders stiffened. "It was called…"

"Akatsuki," she bit out, eyes misted over. "You know they killed him so why—"

"Itachi's not the reason!" Kanna argued but she was afraid of the conversation's trajectory. Itachi warned her that tethering herself to the Uchiha name would have consequences. But did that mean losing her best friend? She didn't want that. She wasn't prepared for it.

Mirai rubbed her eyes with the back of the hand that held the scroll. "I know Uchiha-san didn't do it himself, but I can't help thinking about it every time I see him. I hate it. Every time I come here. You have your Tousan so you don't understand." Mirai's shoulders dropped. She looked defeated. "I learned about it studying for the jonin exam. They give us access to…a lot of information since jonin are entrusted with the village's secrets. I'm sorry, Kanna-chan. Since you're all better, I can finally have this conversation with you."

"Mirai…" Kanna's own eyes welled up. Her heart hammered within her. She didn't want this!

"I don't think I can see you anymore…not for a while. I want to concentrate on being the best jonin I can be, to honor my father's name. Maybe one…maybe one day we could—" Mirai burst into sobs. She grabbed her things and ran out.

"What is it?" In the evening Itachi joined Kanna on the engawa. He put a blanket over her shoulders. She had not been sad like this for a while. "Have I made you unhappy?"

"No!" She quickly leaned into his side. "Of course not."

"Why do you cry?" His thumb brushed across her wet eyelashes.

She explained the day's events.

"What will you do?" he asked.

"I'm not sure…give her space."

He nodded, unfamiliar with a situation like this. Tears continued to fall from her eyes and he wondered if perhaps there was more to the melancholy. He managed to coax her to speak.

"I was thinking… maybe you feel forced," she managed through a soft sob, "to be with me." She pushed her face against his arm. "You hold yourself to such a high standard that you might not know the difference of what is right versus what you personally want."

Were her thoughts of him so deep? Her consideration never failed to move him. But perhaps this insecurity was his fault. 'You have trapped me.'

"Look at me." His fingertips gently nudged her face. "You're right to think I feel a sense of obligation. I do wish things had been different." That he could have saved her differently. It was the lament of his life: that there had been another way, for every bitter memory. For the clan, for Sasuke's torment, for Kanna.

"But there is no sense dwelling on what could have been. I have tormented myself enough with that," he said. Her tears dampened the sleeve of his kimono shirt.

Tragedy did not get better, but it got easier. Sasuke was right about that.

"There were only two options," he stated, "Save you or let you die. You are alive and so that leaves me with no regret. Objective truths and my personal desires are often the same." He cupped her cheek and she longingly pressed into the warmth of his palm. "You must know," he said, "that I love you. It cost me nothing to save you. A hundred times I would deceive you in an illusion if it brought you back to me." He welcomed being tethered to her.

A soft gasp escaped her lips, comforted by his words. "Oh, Itachi." She placed her hands over his, ardently holding his hand to her face.

His head lowered to place a kiss upon her lips. "One child, Kanna. One. But give me time."

Her fingers tightened around his and her eyes clenched closed. "One," she repeated in a strangled whisper.

He leaned closer to her. "That is my condition." And he would be hers.

Her thoughts whirled at the ultimatum. He once closed every door, but now he opened them and invited her in. She desperately wanted to be with him, at the cost of some of her dreams. He, too, was compromising a great deal. And in fact, had already compromised so much of his privacy and reservations.

She exhaled, feeling a deep sense of strength fill her bones. "I can live with that."

He sighed shakily. He had probably been waiting to have this conversation with her.

"Having a child really scares you, doesn't it?" she whispered and touched the ends of the hair at his neck. It was growing.

His head tipped in a hesitant nod, endeavoring to be honest with her. It was important she understood this fear. It was very important.

"All this time you've been afraid of losing your new family," she spoke, "and losing me, because of what happened in the past."

His eyes closed a moment before looking out into the night. To the spot in the field where he first saw her, squatting down, peering at ants. "When we met, I did not know that I would want you so," he confessed with a measure of hesitation, "how could I? I had no experience to draw from. You came and I did not know myself. I imagined many futures with you, but all ended in loss. It was the pattern of my previous life and so I could not perceive any other outcome.

"I tried to keep my desires contained, but it was impossible after The Red Wood. I saw what could be. I have recently realized that even if I had left the village, I would have come back to you."

Kanna's eyes were wide, and awed, by the confession of a man. "You would have?"

"Yes," he said, "I would have come back to make you my wife."

"You saying that helps me feel a lot better."

His gaze softened. "I am glad for it."

Revitalized by his candor, Kanna smiled and said with great confidence, "When we have that child one day, don't worry, okay? I'll be with you every step of the way. No matter what!"

The part of Itachi that should have felt guilt for limiting her was oddly silent. It was because he would be able to have her, freely and without the pain of longing. She agreed to his condition. It was done. She would marry him. She would share his bed and his livelihood. Her body would be his.

And it would be real.

Kanna shuffled up to her knees and leaned over him. She caressed his face, content to be by his side. She pressed a soft kiss to his temple.

He pulled her on to his lap, surprising her. She melted at his sudden kiss. Her demure gasps reminded him of the softest melodies of a kato and her fingers playing over its strings.

His hands desired to caress her intimately but remained as they were. He knew her taste, her shape, and the smell of her skin. The memory of her trembling against his mouth was seared into his mind.

He wished to honor her. She was young, and indubitably, she was the honorable daughter of the Rokudaime. Yet her responses relayed if he ventured any further, she would not stop him. She was so willing to please him. And once inside, the Anbu guards would know nothing of what would transpire.

Before the illusion, however, she would make clear gestures to indicate he stop his physical advances. Perhaps it was because she had been younger, or because he had ceaselessly rejected her. So, he held on to the memory of her modesty and pulled away.

"Itachi," she breathed, seeking his lips. "Touch me again." Her hips flexed upward.

"Soon," he said, enflamed at her salacious gesture. "Soon," he said again, palming the length of her thigh and hip, pushing her abdomen down.

Itachi sat waiting in the living area. It was early morning, and the shoji doors were open. Spring was blooming. Yamanaka Ino stepped into the minimalistic room with a big grin.

"Well, Itachi. Good news!"

"Tell me."

"She passed with flying colors!" Ino cheered and Kanna peeked from behind her. She wore a white, simple dress. The clothing was purchased after the temperature had warmed. Her eyes were wide and brown and anticipating his reaction.

"You did well," Itachi said.

Kanna blushed deeply. "We can get married now."

Itachi nodded. "Yes."

"This month?"

"Yes."

Her heels briefly rose in a little jump of victory, giving in to a private smile. She almost did not know what to do with herself. Ino laughed and hugged the cute girl, elated for the two. Tears even gathered in her eyes. This was good news indeed.

After all, who more than Yamanaka Ino knew the depth of their affection?

The woman left and the couple went for a stroll. They ended up at the stream near the stone mountain. Kanna stood ankle deep in it. Water dripped from her dress down to her smooth legs. She had jumped in a deeper area and walked to higher ground laughing, telling him to join in.

Everywhere the short dress clung to her. The pale color stood no chance against the power of water, now translucent and sticking to her every curve. Her breasts were a fair color, not much darker than her skin.

Itachi's mouth dried, and heat as he'd never known boiled beneath his skin. He stepped into the steam. His pantlegs were rolled up and his shoes were left on a stone. Without a thought she was cheerful, unaware of the blazing craving within him. His hand burned as he placed it on her hip. He curved it over her waist and down the small of her back, tugging her against his frame.

His mouth hovered over hers as his other hand rose and passed a thumb over her breast. What was this feeling? She felt it too, he knew. She was breathless and he'd not done a quarter of what he wished to do.

What he had done to her, in the darkness of a room, in the chill of winter, altered the physical boundaries between them. Or perhaps the genjutsu had. Or when she kissed him on the woodland floor.

Or when she had caught him naked in the forest, now so long ago.

Her head tipped enough for the bow of her top lip to nudge his bottom one. Taste her—he demanded a bite. His mouth delicately closed the space between them. Her body's strength left her, and he held her against him, intent on consuming the mouthwatering flavor of her mouth.

His tongue swiped hers and they both moaned. "Itachi," she marveled before he deepened the kiss, a single arm enclosing around her as he reached again for her chest.

She hummed into the kiss, demurely and deliciously. The sound of it made him ache.

"Show me," he huskily said.

Kanna's fluster spread from her ears into her face. Her small nod was all he needed to drag her flimsy sleeves down. He took in the sight with salacious appreciation. His mouth descended, savoring her. What had overcome him? What of her? This was indecent. They were out in the open and—and—

He pushed her away and she fell into the stream. Her arms held her up, eyes wide and hair splattered on her face.

"Fix yourself!" he said almost harshly.

His teeth clenched as he wrenched himself away, leaving the silly woman as she was, half naked, blushing and startled by the rough treatment. Her tender beauty wasted him to the point he forgot about their constant shadow. He flickered on to the branch where the Anbu was. The agent flinched, hands lifting in a sign of surrender, his neck flushed from what he had just witnessed.

Itachi's eyes glowed red, spinning. "You saw nothing."

"I saw nothing," the Anbu mimicked.

"Kanna tripped into the water, and I helped her." It was a foul thing to do, but what else was there? She was compromised.

"You helped…"

Itachi flashed to Kanna's side as she endeavored to rise. He held her arms and lifted, earning a surprised gasp from her. She had covered up.

He led her out of the stream. "Our audience," he explained.

"That's right," she said, breathless, crossing her arms over her chest. So, she knew what water would do to her clothing. She had worn it on purpose.

Itachi stepped into her space again, not quite angry but something like it. "Are you satisfied you've successfully seduced me by embarrassing yourself? Are you so inpatient?"

"E-embarrassing?" she stuttered. Her brow furrowed before a small smile played at her mouth. "Successfully?"

Itachi tsked and turned away. They put on their shoes and with purpose he moved toward the house in the field. Kanna was hot on his heels, taking wide strides to keep up with him.

"Did you use the sharingan?"

"Yes." He did not lessen his speed.

"He won't remember?"

"No."

"Are we being followed now?"

Itachi spun around and she collided hard into him. He made no attempt to steady her as she almost fell again. She flailed her arms, exposing her chest, and managed to keep upright.

"Enough," he demanded. He knew what she was doing.

His brow furrowed when her hands touched his chest. "Are we being followed?" once more she whispered.

Their breaths intermingled, Itachi again plunging into the mesmerism of her. Caving, he confessed, "We won't be for a while."

"Kiss me," she said, "please."

His mouth was upon hers then. Her arms wound around his shoulders, and he lifted her to him. Her legs wrapped around his waist. His fingers raked down her back and it wasn't enough.

He guided their bodies down to the grassy field. It parted for them and gave them cover. No passerby would see them, surrounded by high foliage.

"Ah!" she cried when he pressed his hips into hers.

How could the desire to consume another be so potent? He could not think. She began to move her hips upward, fervently meeting his. The movement was haphazard and frustrating to them both. He realigned their stance and pressed. They both gasped.

He neared a primal precipice, that was suddenly of utmost importance to reach. His hand held the back of her neck as his lips urgently sought hers. He had to set aside the image of pushing his trousers down and ridding them both of their chastity.

Itachi sat on his heels. His lips were slightly parted, out of breath. She only laid there, watching him appreciate her. His tongue slid against his teeth, recalling the taste of her.

And then they were both staring away from each other, heat touching their cheeks. The wetness on their bodies was a conductor of dirt and grass. The tussle had in all manner soiled their clothes. Itachi did not trust himself around this woman anymore. He needed… he needed to do something about this. A month was too long.

"Maybe we should…go home now," she said softly.

"Take my shirt. You're indecent."

He had no idea why she became mortified at his words. She was indecent, but no more than she had been when he appraised her. Her dress was ruined, and she couldn't frolic around as she very well was. Their families and friends visited them regularly.

After she put his shirt over her dress, she stepped into his space and tipped her chin. Hesitating for only a moment, Itachi leaned in and placed a light kiss on her expectant mouth.

And then she was off on her merry way, ahead of him. There was a skip to her step. Or likely a gait she was trying to hide, thighs chafed and trembling.

That night, they had an evening meal and washed up. Throughout the mundane activities he noticed she was careful of her movements but said nothing of it. Itachi entered the main bedroom to see she had already prepared her bedding.

She lay on her side, knees together and eyes shut. The standard garb of an oversized shirt and shorts was tonight's selection.

Itachi lowered himself beside her. "Tomorrow, we'll go and marry. I will send word to our families. Tell me yes, Kanna." He did not wish to add any more immoral acts upon his head, and certainly not hers.

She smiled, sweet and yielding to his old-fashioned ways. "Yes."

Imagine being their assigned Anbu lol Poor guy.