"You can stay here for the night, until you find somewhere. Otou-sama is out on a mission and won't be back for a week, and Okaa-san won't mind." Itachi smiled at me with slight humour, checking to see he hadn't offended me. We both knew that his father despised me with a fierce vigour.

Though whether it was because of how close I was with Itachi, or because my brother hosts the nine-tails.. I don't know.

"Thank you for this, Itachi..." I gave a dim, half smile, and he waved his hands a little, shrugging it off.

"It's fine! It's terrible what happened; I'm happy to help." he opened the front door and held it for me, since I was carrying Naruto. It was late, as we had been at the hospital getting checked over. Naruto was fine, only a few minor burns, and I wasn't too worse off. I had a bad burn on my arm and hand, a bit on my face and neck, and a slight ones on my feet (I had been barefoot but the hospital gave me some nursing shoes), but other than that I was fine, just covered in bandages. I was shaken more than anything, and Naruto was still unconscious, thankfully.

Itachi led me through to a room which must have been Sasuke's, as Sasuke was sitting awake in his bed, probably waiting for his Onii-san to return home. His eyes widened when he saw Naruto and I, but then he smiled.

"Onii-san, are Kaoru-chan and Naruto coming for a sleepover?" he asked in a hushed, yet excited voice. Itachi chuckled.

"Something like that. Naruto's not well, so I've said he can sleep in your bed for tonight, is that okay?" Itachi asked, and Sasuke nodded, pulling the covers back. I smiled at him, and laid Naruto down on the bed. Sasuke gave a determined look. "Don't worry, Kaoru-chan! I'll protect Naruto!"

My eyes widened a tiny bit, before closing in a smile as I straightened up. "Then I leave him in your hands, 'kay, Sasuke-kun?"

He blushed a little, then grinned and nodded. I ruffled his hair, then followed Itachi out of the room.

"You can have my bed, Kaoru-chan." Itachi said, smiling as he looked at me from the corner of his eye. "It's through here."

"I... Itachi, you don't have to give up your bed, it's fine, I'll be okay on the couch-"

He cut me off, shaking his head. "You need your rest, Kaoru-chan, you've had a long, stressful night." his eyes closed in a smile as he continued. "Don't worry about me. Just focus on getting better."

I blushed a little bit, but was glad that the bandages hid it, mostly for my pride. I had never blushed in front of someone, at least, not since becoming ANBU. it just doesn't do.

Without questioning again, I followed Itachi as he led me to his room. He pulled out a large t-shirt and some loose pants from his wardrobe and handed them to me. "Put these on. I'll wash your clothes for you."

I nodded, then waited for him to leave, and did as I was told. I then took my leather belt out of my pants and hung it over the bedpost, and left my katana, kunai pouch and ANBU mask connected to it. I tucked my shoes underneath the bed, leaving me barefoot and allowing the cold air to wash over my still burning skin.

I then went to the door, holding my shirt and pants (it was a wonder how the clothes didn't burn when my skin did, I guess ANBU uniforms are fire-resistant) and slid it open, peeping around it.

"I'll take those now." Itachi's voice made me jump out of my skin, and I could feel his amusement as he watched me. I hit him lightly, irked.

"Don't do that!" I protested, and he just smiled and took my clothes from me. I scowled at him as he walked away, then sighed, placing a hand over my thudding heart.

Once it calmed, I walked silently down the wood-floored hallway, enjoying the smooth wood on my calloused bare feet. I just needed to check up on Naruto... I wouldn't be able to sleep unless I could be sure he was safe.

I retraced my steps to Sasuke's room, and gently slid open the door, shining a beam of soft light onto Sasuk's bed, just enough to see. I suppressed an 'aww' at how cute they look, feeling my frazzled, tense nerves turning to mush.

Naruto had his thumb in his mouth, and an arm draped loosely over Sasuke's waist. Sasuke was hugging Naruto's head into his chest, and his knees were pulled up just to fit around Naruto's shape, while Naruto's legs were also bent. At that moment, I wished very much that I had my camera, which was at home... burnt in the fire.

The smile fell from my face, and my muscles tensed once more as it hit me. I shut their bedroom door, and leaned back against the wall, sliding to the floor.

They were all gone. All of our possessions, all of our money... all of the memories. The photographs. Oh God.

I quickly jumped to my feet and ran back to Itachi's (or my) room, searching the pouch on my belt. To my complete and utter relief, it had my wallet in it, which contained copies of a few of the photos. Not all of them, but the one of baby Naruto, and the picture of me and my parents (Kushina and Minato).

Well, at least I hadn't lost all of them.

I carefully slotted them back into my wallet, and slid under the covers of Itachi's bed, snuggling into the sheets and closing my eyes.

I never noticed before... Itachi smells good.

I wonder what shampoo he uses..?

His hair is always smoother and silkier-looking than mine.

With that thought in mind, I drifted into a quiet, momentarily peaceful sleep.

* * *

The thick smell of smoke overpowered my senses, and I became aware of a painful burning sensation over my skin. My eyes snapped open, to find myself outside, with the Uchiha household up in flames.

I scrambled to my feet, and ran to the burning building, running around it. Naruto, Sasuke, Mikoto-san and Itachi were in there... I could feel it. I had to get them out!

I heard screaming, and ran around to see Naruto and Sasuke, cowering in the corner of the room and holding onto each other as the flames crept closer to them. I banged on the window; there was a clear path, straight to the window! They could get out! Why weren't they listening?!

They continued screaming, not hearing my shouts as I pummelled the weirdly strong window. Why couldn't they hear me?! Why couldn't they see the path out?!

There was a loud cracking noise, and the roof seemed to sink, before falling in, and blocking them from my vision..

I awoke with a gasp, a bead of sweat rolling down my forehead. I wiped away the perspiration with the back of my hand, then sat up and slid out of the bed, leaving the dark room and following the hallway to where the two ten-year-olds were.

Peeping in their room again, I made sure they were really okay, shaken by that vivid dream. They were still sleeping peacefulky, in more or less the same cuddled position, so I left.

But... I felt nervous. Tense.

~Itachi's POV ψ(｀∇')ψ WOOT~

I laid on the couch, with my eyes shut, trying to sleep. It was rather uncomfortable here, but I didn't mind it so much. Father, though he didn't like Kaoru, would have a fit if he found out I had a girl stay over and made her sleep on the couch. But I wouldn't have made her sleep here anyway, injured or not.

I like to think that I'm a gentleman, after all. Treat people with respect, and they will respect you in return.

I stiffened as I heard light footsteps, then calmed as I recognised Kaoru's chakra. She went down the hall and stopped outside Sasuke and Naruto's room, then came back this way at a slower pace, and stopped in the doorway of the Lounge, which just happened to be the room I was in.

I felt that odd prickly sensation as she watched me, and kept my eyes closed and pretended to be asleep. I don't know why, exactly... but then, I don't ever fully understand why I do the things I do. I just... do.

She must not have been in a calm state, for she did not realise I was awake, and therefore must have not been paying attention to her sixth sense. I heard her move closer, then heard the soft rub of the leather as she sat down on the recliner opposite the couch. I felt rather awkward, with her watching me like that... but I could almost feel her displeasure, so I stayed 'asleep' so as not to embarass her.

It was a good forty minutes before her breathing audibly slowed, and only then did I dare open one eye a tiny bit. I was relieved at what I saw, and quietly got out of my bed. She had fallen asleep, sat with her knees pulled to her chest and her face hidden in them.

I gently picked her up, careful not to wake her, and carried her back to my room, laying her carefully back down and pulling the messed up covers over her. I stopped still as my eyes caught on crystal, fuchsia eyes, gazing up at me with slight fear.

"Shh... go back to sleep..." I whispered, but she just watched me, snowy hair tumbling messily in her eyes.

Kaoru's POV (aw -.- I wanted to stay in Itachi's)

"Stay here... please... Itachi..." I asked quietly, still watching his every expression. I didn't want to be alone... I couldn't take it.

He looked at me for a while, seemingly thinking through what I had said, before he walked around the bed and sat down cross-legged on the other side. He smiled down at me, and I finally allowed my eyes to fall shut and slipped into a heavy, much-needed sleep.

* * *

"Nee-chan..." a whispering voice giggled, "Nee-chan, wake up.."

"Nnh..." I was reluctant to remove myself from the warmth and comfort that I was in, and curled up tighter.

"Nee-chan!" I slowly forced my eyes open, and was startled to see it was very dark.

Wait, no, that was just because my face was pressed against something... and that something was Itachi.

I shot out of that bed like a squirrel on crack, head whipping around as I freaked out, tearing at my hair and blushing madly. "What the-?! Why-?! What-?! Ehh???!!"

Eventually, I calmed myself down, and noticed the two ten-year-olds giggling madly and the eighteen year old man I had just been CUDDLED UP TO watching me calmly. I forced myself to be calm too, using Itachi's calm demeanor, not for the first time, to my advantage.

"Uh... ohayo, Naruto, Sasuke, Itachi." I forced a smile to extinguish the blush, while my otouto and Sasuke finally stopped laughing.

"You were cuddled with Itachi, nee-chan!! I thought you didn't like any boys!!" Naruto yelled, mockingly, and I blushed, glaring at him.

"What the-?! Don't say stuff like that!!"

I was taunted in that way by Naruto and Sasuke all morning, right up until I threatened to dangle them both from the top of the Hokage tower. That shut them up. And Itachi had been no help whatsoever. The only thing he did that was semi-related was wink at the two boys, then wrap an arm around my waist and pull me close, saying "Yes, yes I do." when Sasuke asked if his onii-san had a girlfriend now.

Which had totally not helped the situation.

He just had to decide to show his sense of humour then, of all times, didn't he?

* * *

I looked up at the large house, memories drifting in front of my eyes. I hadn't been here in such a long while.

It was our old house. The one that me, Dad and Mom lived in. Such great memories in this place... it had served as my home for four years.

"Is this our new home, nee-chan?" Naruto clung onto my hand, gazing at the house in wonder. I swallowed the lump in my throat, and nodded.

"Y-yes, Naruto." I winced on the stutter, "This is going to be our home until ours is rebuilt."

If there was one thing I had made sure of, it was that we would move out of this house as soon as possible. I couldn't bear to live in this house for too long.

I lifted the key and slotted it into the lock, pushing the door open. My vision hazed over, and I traced the contours of the hall, reminiscent of the past.

I was brought back to the present by a tugging on my sleeve, and looked down to see Naruto gazing up at me. "Nee-chan..?"

I gave a shaky laugh, then my eyes widened and I brought my hand to my cheek, looking at the moisture on my fingers in shock. What..? I was.. crying?

I laughed it off falsely, wiping the tears away, "Ah... sorry, Naruto..."

He latched his arms around my legs, since he wasn't tall enough to hug me properly, and hugged me tightly, his face pressed against my thigh. "It's okay to cry, nee-chan... Iruka-sensei told me. Don't say sorry for crying."

Our mother's words from years before rang through my mind, something close to what Naruto had just said. I stopped from the shock, then sort of hugged Naruto back, before smiling down at him fully. "Thanks, otouto."

He grinned back at me, and I assessed him carefully, still smiling. He truly was his mother's son... in spirit, anyway.. people always said I acted more like Minato, though he wasn't my blood relative, but I think I have my mother's ferocity. Dad was too calm about everything... but that was how we loved him.

I think I get my looks from my blood father; when with my purple-pink eyes and pale skin, anyway, but Mother always assured me that I was nothing like him. She always said that he was a horrible man with a coal-black heart... and that I was the complete opposite.

I like to believe that about myself, but... can any shinobi truly be pure of heart? I've killed people, sure, they were bad people, but still. They still had families and maybe lovers and children.

I shook off the thoughts before the guilt could consume me, and led Naruto through the house, snapping lights on as I went.

I could still remember where everything was... it was kind of sad, really. I showed Naruto everywhere except Mom and Dad's room... he asked me, but I said there was nothing interesting in there, so he left it. I showed him my old playroom; sure, I last used it when I was eight and it was empty and layered with dust, but still, it was quite big, he might want to use it for his training for the Academy, though the garden out back was pretty big too. There were also training dummies and stuff still set up, and trees painted for target practice outside.

When I showed Naruto to his room, he was amazed; I had given him my old room (I was going to stay in the spare room), and I had liked quite boyish things, so it was painted in different shades of blue, with an absolutely huge bed. What can I say? I never said I hadn't been pampered as a child. Mom and Dad liked to spoil me. I'm just glad I didn't turn out as a spoiled brat.

Everything had been cleaned up in the rooms and kitchen; the Hokage had sent people before we moved in, and we had stayed in a hotel for a few days. But all the indoor training equipment and the lounge etcetera I had to clean myself. I didn't mind though. Call me crazy, but I actually kind of liked cleaning.

* * *

I jumped out of my skin as the doorbell rang, and jumped off of the couch to go answer the door. A bunch of cloaked people greeted me. ANBU.

My eyes narrowed, "What is it?"

There were a few muffled snickers, and the hoods were tipped back to reveal masks that I knew all too well.

The masks were removed, and I saw the faces of my ANBU comrades and friends. Hana, Itachi, Kuro, Fiore and a couple of others from ANBU were all standing there smiling at me, then yelled, "Surprise!!"

They thrust a wrapped box in my hands, and I blinked at it in surprise. "What's this?"

Fiore had an eager expression on his face, "Open it and see!"

I rose an eyebrow, then stepped inside the house. We were standing in a circle in the living room when I finally complied. I did an inward eye roll as I pulled off the frilly pink bow, and it was snatched out of my hand and tied in my hair by Umi, one of my few female friends. I opened the box, and pulled in a shaky breath of shock.

A new headguard, and ANBU vest sat neatly folded in the box. I dropped the box in my surise, but thankfully it was quickly caught by Itachi.

He handed it back to me, and I sat down on the couch and rested the box on my lap. They sat around me, Itachi and Hana on either side since they're my closest friends, Umi and Luca on the armchair together (they were a couple) and Kuro and Fiore on the floor in front of us. I ran a finger over the smooth metal of my new headguard, and Umi smiled apologetically.

"We know that this one doesn't hold the sentimental value of your old one," she said, and Luca squeezed her hand, "But it will serve it's purpose, and hold hopes for great new memories in the future."

I stared at it for a moment, then picked it up and tied it in place around my neck. I smiled up at them happily, touched that they would do this for me.

"Thanks for this, guys... really." they all smiled in one form or another, some beaming, and some just giving a small smile. But they all meant equally as much; all gave me that warm feeling in my chest.

"Group hug!" and then I was tackled into Itachi. With everyone hugging me, I hated it but loved it at the same time. If I closed my eyes... everything was just about perfect.

* * *

I listened to the sound of laughter as I went into the kitchen on a drinks run, hearing footsteps as Hana entered the room. I smiled over my shoulder at her, then continued what I was doing.

"We have a mission tomorrow." I hummed in acknowledgement. "Me, you, Itachi and Fiore. Tracking Orochimaru's movements."

I cursed under my breath, "How long's it for?"

"'Bout a week." Hana chuckled, guessing my issue. "Don't worry, Ma said she'll take Naruto."

"Oh. Thanks, Hana. I'll tell Tsume-san thanks as well when I see her." Hana nodded, and I put the last of the drinks on the tray and started to leave. Hana stopped my in the doorway, and I gave her a questioning look.

"It was Itachi's idea, you know..." then she walked away, before I could ask what she meant.

---

Well, third chapter posted! I would've posted this yesterday, but I got in trouble and got my iPod taken off me.

Well, Fan, vote, and comment people!

COMMENT!!! ('Д' )