Ashes (A Naruto Fanfic Book 6)

Chapter 4

I sat in the mirror, frowning at my hair.  What to do...  Itachi came in and leaned in the doorway.  I looked at him through the mirror and scowled.  "I'm cutting it off..."

He was behind me instantly and pulled it, tilting my head backward.  My heart raced as he kissed me upside down.  "I like it."

I blushed and pushed his face away.  "So hard to know what to do with it, sometimes."

He smiled and released me, then swept a side flat and pinned it.  "Perfect."  I touched the pins tenderly, golden with purple flowers.  "This way... she'll be there too."

I turned to him and pulled his face down to mine.  "Thank you..."  We kissed deeply and would've been late if not for the knock at the door.

We pulled apart panting, and they knocked again.  "See told you they can't be left alone too long.  OPEN THE DOOR, KUNOICHI!!!"

I sighed and frowned at Aya as I opened the door.  "What?"

She rubbed her stomach.  "We're out here starving, you know."

I crossed my arms.  "Could've left without us."

Ryo grabbed my wrist.  "Then you would never show up.  Let's go."  I looked back at Itachi, and he slowly followed as I was dragged away.

He was beside me suddenly and made Ryo let go.  "Took you long enough."  I rubbed my wrist dramatically, and he chuckled.

We came to the restaurant, and Ryo whistled.  "This place is still standing, nice."

I looked up at Itachi as he looked at me.  Are you sure?

I smiled at him.  As long as you do all the talking, I trust your decision, Itachi...

His joy was contagious, but I was wrapped in a different set of arms, pulling me away.  "You spend enough of your time with him, come, let's talk, kid."

I struggled and reached out.  "Help! I'm being kidnapped!"

I stuck my tongue out as I was slung over Ibiki's shoulder.  "So dramatic."

I laughed.  "And this isn't?"

He chuckled and set me on the ground.  "You look good, brat."

I looked him over.  "As do you, Sensei."

He looked at Itachi.  "Still treating you well?"

I smirked.  "Do you think he'd be alive if he wasn't?"

He sighed.  "Good."

I watched as the Rain nin came to his side and looked when he nodded in our direction.  "It's almost sad people do that now..."  He followed my gaze, curious.  "If we're not at each other's side, people ask questions."

Ibiki chuckled.  "Do you mind it?"

I looked up at him.  "Not with him. He doesn't talk much."

Ibiki put a hand on my shoulder.  "We should go in before we see Kakashi..."

I giggled.  "Then you know we're late."  As though on cue Itachi was there, hand held out to me.  "Stalker..."

He smirked and laced his fingers through mine.  "Only for you."

I rolled my eyes and was surprised that Kakashi had actually beat us.  "Wow... did Minato tell you the wrong time?"

He frowned.  "No."

I smirked.  "No black cats or something that needed saving?  Or maybe that perv hasn't released that new book for you to pour over..."

He sighed.  "He said he'd give me a copy after dinner."

I gaped.  "Really? That's sad even for you, Kakashi."  He shrugged, and I pulled Itachi to the piano, removing my gloves.  The smile in his eyes was almost too obvious when he looked at the ring on my finger.  "Ready, Uchiha?"

He nodded.  "More than..."  I began to play as we waited for everyone to arrive and take their seats.  Everyone looked up at us and smiled, and Itachi placed a hand on my knee.  I loved how excited he was, happy that basically everyone who mattered was there, all except one.

Finally, everyone was in their seats, and I came to close.  Itachi stood and faced the crowd, pulling me up with him.  I was nervous all of a sudden and clutched the back of his shirt.  He raised an eyebrow at me, and I averted my gaze scowling.  He chuckled softly.  "We're happy all of you are here tonight because we have an announcement."

I started looking among the curious faces watching us and bit my lip, turning my face into his side to hide my blush.  Hurry up already, Uchiha.  I felt his amusement and pinched his side.  "We're engaged."

The room went silent, and I stopped breathing, burying my face in his side.  He tightened his arm around me and kissed the top of my head.  "Look..."  I shook my head as I heard the clicks of cameras, and he pushed into my mind.

Everyone was speechless but overjoyed.  Expressions ranged from knowing smirks to silent tears to outright shock.  I clutched his shirt tighter.  "Make them say something..."

He chuckled, enjoying this moment, and pulled me out of his side to face the crowd.  Suddenly, everyone was talking at once, asking questions and congratulating us.  I glared at him as my face felt hot.  "Not what I meant."  He wrapped his arms around my shoulders from behind, kissing the top of my head again before smirking.

I turned away from him and looked at a wall scowling.  "We can't avoid them all night."

I nodded my head and looked at a window.  "Yes, we can..."

He sighed and guided me to the table between Minato and Mikoto.  She hugged me tightly, crying.  "I'm so happy. Congratulations."

I hugged her back and then reached out.  "Help... I'm dying."

She giggled and kissed my cheek.  "Silly girl..."

She released me and hugged Itachi while Minato hugged me.  "I'm happy for you two... is this what you want?"

I smiled at him and then looked at Itachi, who was watching us as his mother spoke to him.  "I've never been so sure about anything else, Minato."