"You knew about what happened between us all along didn't you?" Kakashi looked down as he sat on a log beside Itsuko, his hands intertwined with each other.

"Secrets aren't really secrets in the Anbu." She laughed nervously. Kakashi and Ideki's story was all around in the Anbu, it would've been weird if she didn't hear it. Besides, Shiro wad basically the gossip master in their team. There wasn't any gossip he didn't know about.

"...you wouldn't mind telling me about yours then would you?" Kakashi asked, his curiousity taking over. He knew Itsuko dated Ibiki but he never knew how it happened or how it ended, no one did.

"Are you thay curious? Well, it didn't end off very well, but it didn't start off well either."

-

"Itsuko, I'll be putting you on a mission with Ibiki. It's important so I need you two to work together." The third hokage said, passing her papers about the mission.

"Me and an interrogater? I don't think that's a good combination." Itsuko shook her head, questioning his decision. But unlike usual, he didn't respond to her. Left helpless, she could only do as he asked.

"Ibiki Morino, nice to meet you." Ibiki introduced himself, extending his hand out once they met at the gate, ready to leave for the mission. Itsuko analysed him for a second before she shook his hand, "Itsuko Uchiha."

It was an elimination mission, their job was to find the enemy and get rid of them.

"They're 100m to the west." Ibiki sensed, giving Itsuko information. Glancing around, Itsuko leaped from tree to tree faster than before, her hand ready on her sword. "Whatever you do, don't interfere."

Just as she said, her sword sliced an enemy down. Ibiki smirked, "well, you need to let me have my share." And he entered too, throwing his weapons at enemies and using his jutsus. Itsuko killed most of them as she usually would. She had to admit, he wasn't half bad but she was quite reluctant since he doesn't really follow orders very well.

But this wasn't the end to their story, again and again the third hokage put them on missions together, alone. They got to learn more about each other whether they liked it or not.

During one autumn afternoon, Ibiki approached Itsuko when they happened to meet on the streets with his usual grin. Glaring at him, she tried walking away only to be blocked by his tall and well-built body. "What do you want?"

"You to go out with me." Ibiki answered honestly, the grin never leaving his face. Itsuko raised her eyebrows, attempting to walk off from the right again. "so why do I care?"

"You do, you asked." Ibiki replied, blocking her way again. Itsuko crosedd her arms, he isn't too bad plus they knew each other quite well. Why not? She could give it a try. Before she replied, he spoke again, "does this explain what I did last mission yet?"

Thinking back, he kept complimenting and helping her last mission. It does make sense. Well, she said she'll give it a try. And that's how it all started.

More often than not, they would go to each other's office and help out. But of course, they still had missions together. The third hokage never found out about their relationship until they broke up. He had always thought they just worked very well together.

But it wasn't long later when things went downhill. There was more and more work load for them and lesser time for each other. Once when Itsuko cleared her schedule to visit his place.

"Let's stop this." He mumbled, he didn't look up. She didn't know whether if it's because he couldn't bear to or if he didn't care enough to do so anymore.

"So like nothing ever existed?" She raised up, her voice cold like it once was before she opened up.

"Just like we were. But one request, we respond to each other's name calling." That was his reply. Her heart ached, she held in her tears. Biting her tongue, she walked away, "it'll never be like we were. Never."

-

"Rough ride you had." Kakashi smirked, hugging her a bit. Itsuko gave him a funny look, raising her eyebrows, "yours wasn't half as easy."

"Typical question, what type of guys do you look out for?" He suddenly asked. It didn't really make sense if you judge by looks, in what similarity does he have with Ibiki in terms of looks? Basically nothing. There was only one possibility.

"I think you already know the answer, anyone. Anyone that I can open up to, anyone that doesn't just love me for looks, anyone that understands." She smiled, but she wasn't looking at anything particular, just staring into space. "I have no ides why I chose Ibiki, to be honest. Maybe to me he seemed understanding and easy to approach at that time. What about you?"

"I don't know. I've been in love with you and only you from tha start. Maybe it's that beautiful personality and looks? Or it could just be how you brought me out of the dark again and again, letting me know that even though I suffer, it isn't the end. Giving me the strength to continue struggling and strive." At this point, he stared onto the ground too.

"Never really thought I could be so inspirational. Well, the only thing I'm hoping for is for this to last."

"Same."