The next few weeks in the Uchiha household are comfortable and relatively calm. There are no arguments, and the four of them live in the happy comfort of their large home. Itachi, upon learning about Kariya's ability, started training her in ways to use her eyes with using up all of her still limited supply of chakra.

He is patient with her, and always encourages her with a smile. Sasuke often watches his brother train the girl with a sense of nostalgia. It seems like forever ago that they would train like that, although Itachi's never smiled as often as he has recently.

At first he was jealous of the little girl, and the time she spent with his only brother. But the more he watched them, the more happy he became. Itachi had a reason to live again because Kariya, his daughter. Just as he had a reason to live through Naruto. She kept the demons away, his fear couldn't exist in the same place she stood, and for that he loved her all the more.

His feelings for Naruto are both new and slightly scary, but the warmth that he feels when she's near drives it away like dust in the wind.

Sasuke furrows his brow as his thoughts turn to his blonde companion. She's been acting strange recently. She never sits in the same place for long anyhow, but recently it's been like she won't stay in the same place for more than five minutes.

Right now she and Sakura are at the hospital working over patients, and learning from each other. Sakura's always had excellent chakra control, so becoming a med-nin was right in her area of expertise. Now she spends most of her time with either Naruto or even the Hokage learning everything she can from them.

Though Sasuke's never said it to her face, he is secretly proud of his pink haired team mate. It takes a lot of work to be certified as a med-nin. He wouldn't have the patience it took, and he doesn't like being that close to people.

A soft knock sounds at the front door. Sasuke stands to get it, not wanting to interrupt Kariya's training to make Itachi open it. Sasuke opens the door, and is immediately pushed aside as Jiraya marches into the house. "Where's Naru?" He asks, searching almost frantically through the house.

Sasuke follows him curiously. "She's at the hospital with Sakura." He tells the Sannin.

Jiraya freezes, and turns to face Sasuke. "Why didn't you say so sooner?" He asks.

Sasuke lifts one eyebrow. "You didn't ask sooner?" He replies.

"There's no need for your sass, boy." Says Jiraya with a good-humored smile.

Sasuke glares, unwilling to admit that Jiraya's 'boy' comment wounded his pride somewhat. He's nineteen! In the ninja world, he's already lived past the life expectantcy average.

"Why do you need Naru-chan?" Asks Itachi, walking into the house with a tired looking Kariya behind him.

Jiraya smiles at the man. "It's about time for her run, so I'm here to get her." He says.

Sasuke and Itachi share a look.

"Like running for training?" Asks Kariya with a small yawn.

Itachi pats her head, and watches Jiraya for the answer.

"Something like that." Says Jiraya with a thoughtful look on his face. "Actually, it's more like she stores so much energy, that she has to release it somehow. Being the Jinchuriki to the Kyuubi, and having wind chakra are an odd combination in themselves. Kurama himself is a mass of energy, and then combined with the... dislike of containment that comes naturally with wind chakra, Naruto is truly an entirely unique being." He explains.

"What does she do on her run?" Asks Itachi, picking Kariya up after noticing that she is quite literally falling asleep on her feet.

Jiraya laughs loudly, but to Itachi's relief, Kariya stays asleep. "Exactly what it sounds like. She runs as far and as fast as she can until the extra energy is burned off. Last time she ran to Sauna to see Gaara, and then came back. It took her a day to get there, rather than the usual three days. She spent four days with him, and then came back. It took her two days to return. Since it is nearing the time Naru is going to run, Tsunade has given her a mission that she'll be able to see Bee."

Sasuke frowns. They're letting her leave by herself? "Relax lover boy." Says Jiraya, as if he's able to read Sasuke's thoughts. "We hear that you're quite the speed demon yourself. The mission is for the both of you. All you really have to do is keep up. Naru will do the rest. She's done it dozens of times."

Sasuke glares at the Sannin. He wasn't worried about her or anything!... Not much anyway.

Jiraya grins. "Meet up with her in Tsunade's office in an hour with enough stuff packed for a month." He tells him.

Sasuke nods. Jiraya leaves, pulling the door shut behind him. Itachi places Kariya on the couch. "I'll make lunch while you pack." He offers. Sasuke nods, and heads to his room to gather his supplies.

When he's finished, the three of them share a simple lunch, and Sasuke leaves. Itachi and Kariya watch from the doorway as Sasuke makes his way down the street. Kariya tugs gently at Itachi's sleeve. "Papa, where do babies come from?" She asks randomly.

Itachi fights the urge to bang his head on the nearest blunt object. "It's a... ninja... technique." He mutters while he massages his newly formed headache. The girl is only eight for crying out loud! Where do these questions come from?

"Oh." Says Kari with a nod, as if she understands perfectly.

Itachi sighs with relief, and closes the door. He returns to the kitchen, and grabs his glass of water, intending to finish it off before he heads out to the garden to meditate.

"Is uncle Sasuke 'gonna have a baby?" Kari's innocent question has Itachi choking on the water.

He coughs before he regards the girl with a critical eye. "No, why?" He asks, fearing her answer.

Kari shrugs her shoulders. "I have a friend, her name is Ayuumi-chan. She said that her mommy is 'gonna have a baby and that she's always grumpy. Uncle Sasuke is always grumpy too." She explains.

The pieces click together for Itachi, and a smile tugs at the corners of his mouth. Now he understands. She thinks that because his little brother is 'grumpy' that he's pregnant. The visual image that follows, makes him laugh slightly.

"No, Sasuke is not going to have a baby." He tells her, his mirth barley contained.

Kari pouts. "Then why is he so grumpy?" She asks him.

Itachi smirks, and kneels so that Kari is face to face with him. "He's just grumpy because you're better at tai-jutsu than he is." He tells her, knowing that it will clear some of the frustration she feels at not having her forms perfect yet.

It works, and her eyes light up happily. "Really?" She asks him hopefully.

Itachi nods seriously. "Uh-huh." It's not exactly a lie. She's better than Sasuke was at her age, although he suspects it has to do with the type of influence the three of them have had on her.

"Yeay!" She shouts, and runs into the garden, squealing happily. Itachi smiles. Sasuke pregnant. That's priceless.

Sasuke sneezes, and knocks on the door. He hears Tsunade grant permission for him to enter before he walks into her office. Naruto is already there, sitting in a chair placed before her desk. She turns to look at him with a slightly concerned look. "You aren't getting sick, are you?" She asks.

Sasuke shrugs. "No. Someone's probably just talking about me."

Naru smiles, and Sasuke sits in the chair next to her. Tsunade quickly goes over the mission specifics. They're only going to ensure the peace treaty, and help in any way they can, as a sign of goodwill.

"Are there any questions?" Asks Tsunade, looking at Sasuke. Sasuke shakes his head. "Alright. You are dismissed. Your mission stats as soon as you leave the gates. Good luck."

Sasuke stands, and walks leisurely out the door. He can practically feel Naru's bouncy energy and her longing to be moving.

When they finally reach the green forest outside the gates, the energy is released all at once. Sasuke watches as Naru speeds away, and is suddenly reminded of the first time they raced. Sasuke groans as phantom pains prick at the muscles in his legs. This is going to be a long trip.

Bonus scene: (Because this chapter is kinda short, and I love putting the Uchiha boys in awkward situations! XD) Itachi and the tea party.

Itachi pokes his head into Kariya's room, curious as to what she's ding that she's so quiet. As soon as he gets within breathing range he hears Kari call out for him. "Papa!" She says. "Come join out tea party!"

Itachi sighs, and walks into the room. He takes the only empty seat around a table that is much too small for him, meaning his knees are doubled up directly in front of him in an awkward position.

Kariya grins, and pulls out a fake tea set, and sets it up carefully. She then grabs pours the tea, which Itachi quickly finds out is kool-aid, and sets it in front of her 'guests'. Each one of her guests is actually a different stuffed animal, and Itachi nearly laughs outright when he sees a fox and a wolf, instantly reminding him of Naru and Sasuke.

Itachi picks up the small tea-cup Kari places in front of him, and is about to take a sip, when Kari stops him.

"Papa!" She says sternly. "You can't drink, you're not even dressed yet!"

Itachi glances around at the animals, and nearly groans when he sees the outfits they're wearing. Pink. Everywhere. Why him?

He watches in silent growing horror as Kari pulls out a pink apron with frilly lace, and holds it out to him with an expectant look on her face. He prays to Kami-sama the monstrosity won't fit him, but his prayers are ignored, because it slips right over his head, and onto his body.

Next Kari pulls out a small beginners makeup kit made for the younger village girls, and attacks his face. Itachi refuses to look in the mirror, and sits quietly as she attacks his hair next. Finally, she hands him a pink plastic wand, and demands that he holds it while they play.

When he hears the doorbell ring, he uses the opportunity to escape the horror. He opens the door to a ninja with a large box in his hand. "I have a delivery for one Mr. Uchiha." He says. The he looks up, and his face blanks. Itachi suddenly remembers his tea party get-up, and moves to close the door after grabbing the box from the man's hands.

The man places his foot in the door, stopping it from closing all the way, and opens it slightly. "Come on miss, why don't we... hang out for a while. I can do more for you than the Uchiha pricks can." Does this man think he's a woman?

Itachi blinks. He opens the door. The man smiles in what he must think to be a very charming way. Itachi activates his sharingan, and watches with violent glee as the smile melts and the man pales. "I'm afraid that you're just not my type." He says, and then uses his great fireball jutsu, sending the delivery man racing down the street with a burned backside.

Itachi closes the door, and sets the package down on the counter, happy that his order for kunai has finally arrived. He makes his way back down the hallway, and accidentally catches his reflection in the mirror in the bathroom.

He keeps walking until the shock settles in, and then freezes mid-stride. He backs up slowly, and glances in the mirror. "Great Kami." He whispers. He looks just like his mother! He rubs his forehead. How his eight year old with limited eyesight made him look like his mother escapes his ability to comprehend.

No wonder the delivery guy though he was a woman. He feels no pity for the man, though. The fact that Itachi so closely resembles his mother right now only means that he was basically hitting on his Kaa-san. The man is lucky he got off so easily.

With nothing else to do, Itachi returns to Kari's room, and takes his seat. The doorbell rings again, but Itachi is determined to ignore it. "Papa, the doorbell is ringing." Says Kari.

Itachi smirks. "No it isn't" He assures her. Kari smiles, happy that he isn't leaving again. Itachi settles himself into the chair, and prays his torture will end soon.

=D =D =D =D =D =D =D

Ok, so how is the new plot so far? I feel like it has more potential, and there are lots of ways I can swing it.

Let me know, please.

Better or worse?