She was starting off the day with a pound of dread and a blistering cup of tea.

Unfortunately for the burgundette, it was beginning to happen frequently. From her fallout with her father to her sudden partnership with Fu, there was not a time where she genuinely looked forward to… especially with Shisui being absent.

Kyori begrudgingly huffed as she leaned against the counter, her mind alone was drowning out the morning news. It has only been a few days without him and they were feeling intolerable; it made her wonder how did she stomach so many years without him?

She paused at that before her hickory gaze went wide, full of befuddlement at the thought alone. She didn't know how or even when she had the time to grow so…Attached. This was driving her crazy! Months ago she would have been grateful to not see his gorgeous face and those luscious wisps that jutted about on the top of his pretty little head. No, months ago she would've wished for him to drop off the face of the planet. But now she was here…

The burgundette's eyes fluttered and the heat at her cheeks only risen and crashed in the depths of her chest as she brought all of her focus onto what she was crafting.

Over. Under. Loop. Cross.

"I don't miss him," she murmured with a pout while her eyes narrowed on her task. "I'm just bored."

There was no way it was possible; she just couldn't fathom being attached in such a short time. And it did not help when she couldn't find a solid reason to feel as she did. Not when it took her so very long for her to open up and bond with the people in her own home! It took Danzo years to get as close to her as he was and Shisui… all it took was a few months. What was it about that cheeky dork that made him so special? How could she miss him?

Over. Under. Loop. Cross.

"Kyori!"

Over. Under. Loop. Cross.

Kyori wanted to believe that she could blame it all on loneliness or even something as drastic as limerence— maybe something as simple as infatuation was plausible, but she knew that wasn't the case. Shisui was an amazing friend to her, he made her laugh and when she cried, he was there for her to hold… he always shown her the brighter side, and guided her without asking for anything in return. He was unconditional, non-transactional and she couldn't help but smile at that.

Over. Under. Loop. Cross.

"Do you hear me young lady?!"

Over. Under. Loop. Cross.

Since they had started dating, she could honestly say that she felt this sort of… relief? He just had this way of reassuring her and misplacing her fears to the point that everything would continue to be okay, that everything she had to endure felt a little less burdensome. The pain and all the lessons that came with it felt worth it now that she was with a guy like him. Even though she felt like she hardly deserved him…

"Shimura Kyori!" The sound of her mother's voice shook her out of her squandering. Hizume sounded perturbed enough that she abandoned her current interest and trotted out of the kitchen. "Apparently, you have a guest."

"I'm coming!" the burgundette voiced, feeling embarrassed for not realizing sooner. Her bronze gaze rolled around the room as she already knew who would be coming over. But she was hopeful enough to pick up her pace if it meant she would see the cheeky Uchiha. She just wanted to feel that balming effect the moment she met eyes with him once more. But all that she met was disappointment. Instead of Shisui's endless midnight gaze, the burgundette was greeted by a muted amber one.

At the door, stood the unsurprisingly rigid Yamanaka that she very recently began to loathed. "Fu." Kyori twisted her glossed lips into a frown, her nose slightly flared with disgust as he stood parallel to her in his fiery beauty. She felt stupid for hoping. "You're kinda early, too early."

"I have other things lined up so I had to come earlier." Fu shrugged as he actively avoided Hizume's hardened, honey gaze. "Is it alright if we started much sooner? I was telling your mom that we could possibly grab lunch and map out a few ideas for the project."

"Ok that sounds cool." The younger burgundette brought her carob orbs onto her mother, waiting for approval. "Mom, what do you think?" She asked despite her mother's glare, indicating an absolute no.

"I think my child has no business going anywhere with you," The older woman spat, her brows furrowing in response to Fu's confounded expression as he blanched at her icy tone. His gaze then fell on his first love as he wondered if she was responsible for this.

"Mom, what-" Kyori only managed to begin but the older Shimura stood firmly while placing herself as a barrier between the teens.

"You should go home boy."

"What are you doing?" Kyori frowned as her mother's honey gaze sliced her briefly.

"Hush. I don't trust him therefore you are not going anywhere." the mother of three glared so fiercely like that of a bear protecting her cub, she got the teenage boy to retract a few of his steps. "And I'd be an absolute idiot to let you leave with him after what happened the last time."

"Hizume-sama, I- "crestfallen and filled with shame, Fu seemingly deflated at her words.

"That's right," the mother of three snarled before placing her hands on her hips. "I know you were the last person to have seen her!"

It was true. Fu was one of the last to see her before things went so horribly, which is why he felt this immense guilt day after day during Kyori's disappearance. It was by far the only reason he had nothing at all to say; Fu believed he deserved her mother's scorn. Afterall, he failed Danzo and Hizume, and lastly Kyori as he was the one that swore to protect her. But for so many years, he was the one hurting her. Up until the very last time they were together, he did everything but what he was supposed to do. He felt ashamed… disgusted. And now, very apologetic.

"I am truly sorry, Hizume-sama." Fu managed to not choke on his words, but his eyes could not meet Hizume's blazing hazel eyes. So they remained on the welcome mat, hoping to be welcomed back. "I wish that I had done right by Kyori. I think about all the things that I didn't do or what I could've done to ensure her safety."

"But you failed her!" Hizume shrieked with wrathful rivulets storming down usually gentle face. "All of this is because of what you willingly put my baby through!" The volume of her cries alone had resulted in a jolting burgundette and a flinching teenage boy that was on the verge of shedding a tear. And the older Shimura wanted the boy to suffer, just like her daughter had as she gripped his chin and brought his shimmering gold eyes onto her ferocious lakes of honey, ripping them away from her daughter doe-like hickory ones. "Don't you understand that?! It was you that treated her poorly, it was your fault she ever thought to leave! You did that!"

"I KNOW WHAT I DID!"

Kyori gapped in disbelief as she took in the corners of his eyes misting, those amber eyes were practically gleaming with remorse.

"I am dealing with the aftermath of my choices every single day." the Yamanaka swallowed his rancor, knowing that her anger wasn't misplaced at all. The last thing he wanted was to upset her mother or worse, go toe-to-toe with her. "I am trying to do right by your family, starting with your daughter."

"I don't want to hear that." Hizume eyed the young man intensely, not knowing whether he was being sincere or not. "You got some god damn nerve coming here after everything."

Meanwhile, younger burgundette couldn't fathom him being so… open and earnest right now. Her mother was damn near crucifying and demeaning him in one sitting. And he just took it. No snarky responses, and no pokerface drawn in hopes of being insensitive. The younger burgundette watched the one-sided spat, not knowing what was the right thing to do. The way her mother was verbally curb stomping him was something she never thought she'd live to see. It came to her as a shock, Kyori didn't think it should go on any longer as she was starting to feel bad for the Yamanaka. While she knew that Fu had contributed to her diabolical plan to abandon her home, he wasn't the sole reason. She had other motives so it wasn't right to have him take the whole wrap for the mess she ultimately created.

"My baby girl was missing for three weeks and several months, but you made it back safely to your family after using and abusing her."

"That's enough!" the girl gaped, gulping at the vicious glare on her mother's face turning on her for a second before she brought them onto the auburn haired teenager.

Hizume, although short in stature had the boy at the foot of her porch. Now eye to eye, she jabbed her pointer finger near his face as she spouted frost from her lips. "You're sorry and I believe that, but it's far too late to forgive. You made sure of that when you decided to hurt my child nonstop and then left her in harm's way."

"Mom, you need to stop." The younger Shimura pleaded as guilt swallowed her whole.

"Kyori- "

"No! Now I need you to hear me out," Kyori bit out and turned her sharp chocolate gaze onto the boy that was quick to retreat and it softened. "Come back in an hour." She then dismissed him all together as she pulled her mother away from the boy that she once loved, and staggered back into their home while her mother urged to be released from her grasp.

"What is wrong with you?!" Hizume roared, her boiling honey eyes remained on the door before igniting on her very own daughter. "How could you allow him to come here like that after all that he's done?!"

"Mom that's enough! Okay!?" Sorrowful fudge watered as they met the furrowing honey orbs that only soften at the sight of heaping tears that begged for a dive. "I know it's extremely upsetting, and you're entitled to feel how you do but you're taking it out on the wrong person!"

Hizume stood there, baffled. All the fire in her gaze waned and wavered when faced with an onslaught of her daughter's tears. "Baby girl, I don't understand what you're saying. Fu left you." Hizume stared at her daughter in disbelief. "He needs to be held accountable too."

"He didn't leave me!" Kyori sniffled as her throat felt constricted at the thought of being honest. She was going to hurt her mother if she knew the truth. "I'm the reason you're all so angry— I stayed behind."

"How can you say that, sweetie?" albeit appalled, Hizume's worry outweighed all that she felt as the innate need to soothe her child was set in motion.

"Cause it's true." The teen callously swiped her tears away. "I ran away from him just like I did from here."

Hizume shook her head, dismissing what the teen had to say. Tears traveled down her sun-loved skin as she pulled the teen into her loving arms, offering warmth and comfort. "I know it wasn't your fault baby. Things were fairly rough at home between you and your father, and then you were also in that awful situation with that boy… I know that if things were better, you would've never ran off with that grown man. And I don't blame you for trying to leave a bad situation. I am just angry that I couldn't protect you," Hizume revealed with painful sobs accompanying her. "I could've lost my child…"

"I know." The teen held a grimace, her coffee brown eyes were brewing with regret as she recoiled at the sharp gasp that came from her mother. She wish her mother knew just how sorry she was and that she understood that fear and anger however, she would have to save it for another day. "I should keep myself busy," she withheld a croak as she collected her things, scampering up the stairs to her room. It was best to bring her focus elsewhere and not stress over the afternoon.

"Nice shot son!" Shisui smiled in a face that damn near mirrored his own, his chest had risen with newfound pride as his father collected the fallen white-tailed buck by the antlers. "Why don't you give me a hand in preparing tonight's dinner for old times' sake?"

"No way, old man!" The younger Uchiha chortled, his eyes were enlarged with disbelief as though his father grew two heads.

"C'mon! Itachi can't cook all your meals forever," the taller male tried to reason albeit he was being a tad snarky by the hint of the smirk that was on his mature, cherubic face. "You'll have to learn at some point."

"I know, but I literally burn water and do you really want to go without dinner tonight?" his son shot back while offering a hand with the slackened animal. He then added, "It's getting colder too so we really shouldn't risk it."

"Fine! But you will need to learn at some point to take care of yourself."

"I know, dad." Shisui frowned. He knew his father was right but he was hoping that he wouldn't have to run to Itachi or his other relatives for a good meal. One day, maybe he would have a family of his own or just a woman that could give him a few pointers behind a stove? It made him wonder if she would be that woman for him.

'Kyori.' He softly exhaled, wondering how her days were spent without him? He had hoped that nobody was trying to bully her although the thought of Kinoto tearing into some punks calmed his nerves. Then he wondered, had she missed him? Did she count the days they've been apart like he had? Did she feel even ounce of disappointment once she realize that they wouldn't be together?

He had.

Shisui sure did miss her; he wish that he could just see those pretty lips of hers set into that default scowl whenever he decided to tease. But more than that, he wished for her to smile at him. No.

Because of him.

The thought alone made him feel whole, accomplished even. To be able to place her in a jovial state was an amazing feat; that was all that he had wanted to do. Especially, now that he was away. Being without her felt… unreal. And he knew that didn't make the most sense.

Sure, Kyori could be mean and distant majority of the times but he loved her gruffness. It was something about the way she shut him down and made him work for her affections that made him want her more. And more.

Cavernous dark eyes shuttered before welcoming nothingness as he settled onto his designated cot. The bitter gales, running waters went unnoticed along with the crackling fire, and the hoots and hollers peppering the outskirts of the lakeside. But Shisui's attention was seized by the thought of her. From her kinky garnet hair down to her perpetually pedicured toes in, his mind could not escape the beauty that is Shimura Kyori. And what made it worse was the urge to take action when tormented by such a sight.

"Fuck," be grumbled, hoping his mind wouldn't wander any further.

Gods, the things he would do if he was ever permitted to do more than kiss her. He just needed one night where he could just-

"Thinking of your friend that happens to be a girl again?"

The teen opened his eyes at the sound of a deep silk voice, luring him out of his thoughts. The having the male now feet away from him, immediately washed away at the heat and grime from his state of mind. Roguish and exact as always, Itachi greeted him back to earth with a knowing smirk.

Meanwhile that disappointing prickling feeling stab at his chest accompanied the reality check. Shisui exhaled, slightly bummed out, "Of course I'm thinking of her."

"She's fine, Izumi's watching out for her afterall. So you must miss her." Their twin gazes met, and the younger of the two, Itachi held a heedful expression while reading the other quite fluently. "Or is there more than that going on?" he mused.

"There's always more... it's Kyori," Shisui stressed, further tousling his hair at the thought of her. He really couldn't escape her.

"She's not just some girl to you," Itachi stated matter of factly as he judiciously shook his head at his foolishly brilliant cousin. "Maybe you should just show her and stop with the games?"

"And scare her off? Not happening Tachi." The disheveled Uchiha pouted in defeat before placing his arms behind his head as a mock-pillow. "We're supposed to take it slow."

"And now you're incapable of doing such?"

Shisui's pout deepened as his brows furrowed slightly. It really wasn't that. He was very disciplined, and no matter how tempting Kyori was he was committed to treating her the right way. There was no way some thoughtless, lovesick, hormonal urge was going to rule him. He wasn't incapable of waiting.

"I just don't want to."

"You should talk to her about this…" The more orderly Uchiha murmured before settling besides Shisui. "Maybe you both will figure something out?" he tried giving his cousin a hope with a small smile.

"Yeah? Maybe."

Ochaaa again,

It took a while but heres another chappie! I just wanted to thank KING011, kenesanjelin2, Mayaki alias La-Faucheuse, Akatsuki Wolf Rider, AlecLightwoodMagnusBane, BethxAngel, chsch20, Hyuuga Hitomichan, and MintRaspberryLemonade! I am really hoping to continue and if it weren't for all of you, I wouldn't have the courage to continue uploading. I hope I can keep going strong for the lot of you!

Alot has transpired here: Hizume gives Fu a verbal lashing, Kyori's taking accountability, Itachi is as right as rain, both Kyori and Shisui are profusely longing for one another while Shisui is fighting his... urges for the sake of being gentlemanly. What can possibly happen next?

Anyways, what did y'all think? May we all find out later on, so make sure to favorite it, flame it, book it or keep it in your history (mobile users).