I?don't own Naruto. Mr Kishimoto Does.

Author's note: Hey there Readers!, Looks like we've finally entered Arc 3! I Hope you guys enjoy! I would also like to thank you guys for the Reviews. Favorites, and follows :)

Still, I haven't found a Beta Editor yet, so I'm really alone on this one.

Expect some grammar and spelling mistakes along the way.

Thank you for Understanding :)

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Arc 3: Phase 2

Itachi sighed in disapppointment, hearing the revelation that Sarada wasn't in the bakery shop felt as if a part of his life was taken from him. Although, it wasn't the female clerk's fault that the raven haired teen wasn't around, and he can't blame her either. It someone or something was to blame, it was definitely time itself, which kept him from meeting his future niece.

Donning his civilian attire, He had just got back from visiting the Uchiha compound, and now found himself currently walking along the streets of the village, heading towards a certain place suggested by the raven haired teen herself weeks ago.

It was fine weather today for the village, it was often the usual for the rest of its citizens as they go on with their daily lives. How Itachi felt a little bit of envy as he passed by dozens families happily bonding with each other. The young man tried picture himself in a different scenario, a scenario where he was not a fugitive, living a peaceful life and his family here with him right now.

Although, those were just dreams that he could only wished for everyday. Every time, reality would often smacked him in the head to bring him out from his day dreaming. It was cruel and disrespectful but yet necesarry at the same time. He continued walking until he began see a distinctive shape of a shop from distance.

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As he neared the shop, his nose began to smell the scent of a delicious and familiar dish, and by the time he had arrived in his destination, he was greeted by a lively scene of the famous Ichiraku's Ramen shop. There were customers everywhere as he expected and he was starting to believed that these rumours about their signature dish being extremely delicious, was true.

Then there was a loud familiar voice and the visible color blue that mixed with the bright sun.

"Hey Itachi! Over here!"?The husky voice called out to the man's name.

Itachi directed his eyes to a certain fellow Akatsuki member and friend, Kisame, who was sitting on one of the seats near the counter. His semi-stylish civilian clothes and hairstyle made him looked more like an old celebrity punk. But nobody did really care for his appearance and since he was playing along with kids, who seemed to be curious and fascinated with him, before he arrived.

The Uchiha gave a small smile and shook his head. He headed towards his friend, who seemed to be enjoying life, and armed with a new comment, the man spoke.

"You seemed to be enjoying life right now." Itachi commented as he sat down on the empty seat that his friend reserved for him.

Kisame gave a shrug as he drank his glass of pineapple juice that he ordered awhile ago." Of course! This kind of life you're making me live right now is better than being an Akatsuki than I thought!" He replied with a chuckle before turning to the counter.

"Hey miss beautiful! Can we follow up our order!?" The blue skinned man called up to the brown haired lady, who was handling the other customers' orders, with excitement and energy.

"Coming right up!" The brown haired lady replied back as she went back to the kitchen area to follow up the orders.

Itachi gave a faint smile, his friend was really enjoying his life right now, even though this was all temporary. His eyes then continued to observed the surroundings, there were so many people around him right now, it sometimes felt new to him because he was used to seeing and being around the quiet forest and hideouts of the organization.

His mind started to focused on his thoughts, specifically a certain raven haired teen. He had to admit that she was a very mysterious girl despite having met her in person and even looked into her memories, discovering the revelation that she was his niece from the future. There was this feeling of wanting to get to know her more as a person and he never thought that he would have the chance to spend time with a family member that he hadn't known before in his life.

"Hey man food is ready!"

He snapped out from his thoughts as he was immediately brought back to reality. He quickly turned his head to face his blue skinned friend, who was giving him an excited look as they're orders had been finally served.

"Here you go! two bowls of Ramen!" The lady said as she placed their orders on their respective counters.

"Thanks lady! These are really delicious!" Kisame commented with as he immediately took his chances on the hot dish. But it was never a problem for him since his mouth was designed to withstand hot dishes like this.

Itachi gave him a strict and stern look to which the blue skinned man noticed. The look that he gave was something and it mean't that respect was never to be forgotten when conversing or addressing another person.

Kisame quickly realized on what he had just said and gave an apologetic grin while scratching his head.

Itachi sighed as he immediately apologized to the lady." I'm sorry about my friend, Miss Ayame." He said while noticing the name tag on her." He's just too energetic right now... or maybe too often." He added, while giving another glance at the blue skinned man.

Ayame gave a smile." Oh, It's alright." She said." We have customers similar to him." She added." In fact, He's not even that energetic compared to our recent regular patron customers." referring to a couple of certain person, who were recent regular customers.

Itachi was a bit confused at first."?Regular Patrons?" He asked and muttered under his breath, unaware that two certain newcomers had just arrived at the said area.

Before He could speak out his mind, He was suddenly interrupted by a loud and brash voice.

"Oh come on Kura-chan! It's not like the Ramen is gonna eat you alive."?A voice coming from a kid exclaimed.

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"For the last time I'm not going to eat ramen, and you're forcing me against my will again kid!" Another voice, this time more deep and raspy argued.

"What do you mean forcing against your will? This is the first time I'm taking you to the shop."?The other voice said, which had bits of confusion on the tone itself.

With the arguement still continuing, Itachi couldn't help himself but turned around to face the two loud culprits from behind and he didn't expected that source of the voice was coming from a brown haired kid, and crimson cute fox, who were in a power struggle.

"Have I seen them before?" Itachi wondered to himself as he observed them. They looked really familiar but somehow, he couldn't figure out or recognize them.

On the other hand, Kisame paid no heed to the loud brats. He was focused more on the eating rather than the watching right now and that leaves Itachi as the only audience as of now.

(RAMEN)

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It was something that Kurama had always disliked since being sealed inside the kit and even until the present day when he eventually became the seventh. How he was already used to smelling ramen inside the mind scape, and even the sewer waters were already replaced by Ramen soup. He wondered if he was going to lived the rest of his life with all the Ramen around.

Another reason was that the ramen itself reminded him of the kit. Whenever he hears or sees ramen, his mind will automatically take him to memory lane and relive the moments that he had with the kit himself. He didn't want any of this from now on because there was still guilt inside him for not saving the kit's life back in the future.

The other reason was that, he was afraid to see the Kit's younger self, since it would only fuel the emotions and trauma inside of him. For an immortal nine taile fox, he still has traumas in his life, first Hagomoro, his son then the Kit. It was too much for him, but he had no choice right now.

Konohamaru was taken by surprised when the small crimson fox stopped struggling. He then noticed him giving an annoyed face before giving in.

"Fine we'll eat ramen! but please make it a quick one!" He said and pleaded as there was a bit of a struggle saying his sentence before shutting his mouth up.

Konohamaru remained speechless for a several moments before giving a shrug as he proceeded to the shop. Although, he wondered about his fox companion's problems lately. Whenever he mentions ramen to him, he would always stay quiet or give this guilty face. Did something happen to him in the past? What was his relationship ramen? Did he got in trouble for stealing one?

As he continued towards the answer, The brown haired kid then observed his surroundings looking for vacant seats to sit in and in just a matter of seconds, he was able to locate one inside the shop. There was a lone vacant seat on the right corner while the other seats were occupied by two men that he probably haven't met before. A little later on, he saw the colour brown as he finally saw Ayame, who was handling the orders.

With a silent Kurama being carried by the kid, Konohamaru immediately hurried his way and called out to the young woman." Ayame-chan!" He called out to which the other quickly noticed.

Ayame, who was busy cleaning the counters, immediately noticed a familiar brown haired boy coming up to the shop. It was none other than the grandson of the third, Konohamaru Sarutobi, who came with his usual smile and energy.

"Konohamaru! How's it going?" The young lady greeted the boy. She hadn't seen her in awhile.

Konohamaru gave a grin." Well nothing much, School is pretty boring as usual but hey at least I got time for Ramen!" He explained as he sat down on his seat.

Ayame gave a little chuckle." I see, so I guess your order would be one bowl of Ramen, I presumed." She said, expecting to get the correct guess.

Konohamaru simply nodded." As usual!." He replied with another grin before directing his eyes back towards Kurama, giving him a smile.

Kurama remained silent as usual as he wasn't giving any of that smiley face. He was brooding and gave several annoyed glances at the boy. He took refuge underneath the boy's seat and will probably remain there until lunch session has ended. He also cringed when he heard the Kit's name being mentioned.

Konohamaru was still confused and curious about his foxy companion. He gave a puzzled face, trying to understand him more about his problem but was suddenly interrupted by Ayame herself.

"Here's your order!" The beautiful brown haired lady exclaimed as she came out from kitchen holding a tray, which carried the bowl of ramen.

A smile formed around Konohamaru, He immediately grabbed his chopsticks as he eagerly waited for his lunch to be placed on the table." Man! I can't wait!" He excitingly muttered to himself.

"Careful It's hot." Ayame warned the boy before placing the bowl on the counter.

Right after the bowl was placed in front of the boy, He immediately gave his thanks and smelled the tempting scent of the ramen." This is so good!" He commented as he finally get to enjoy the food that he has been longing to eat.

Ayame was glad to see the boy enjoying his meal. Although, she wondered on why she hasn't seen the third's grandson in awhile. He was one of the shop's regular customers and this was the first time that the boy showed up. Was that because he was busy with other things? She really needed to ask this.

"It's been quite awhile since you've come here to eat Konohamaru." Ayame said, as she began to dry up the newly washed bowls via a white towel." Is everything alright for you?" She added.

Konohamaru gave a small smile, but this time a little bit of tiredness took over him." Everything's fine." He replied as he began to scratched his head." Although, school's a priority right now, got a lot of homework to do." He added, his eyes having a little bit of dark circles.

Ayame nodded in understanding." Oh I see." She muttered, giving a sad smile and as he was about to continue her sentence, she was suddenly cut by the boy.

"Hey! but I can still managed it." The brown haired boy replied with a grin." And I've got Kuu-chan on my back too!" He added.

Ayame raised an eyebrow in confusion." Kuu-chan?" She asked, wondering on who was this person.

"Well, He's actually my pet companion." Konohamaru replied as he then looked down to see a still brooding and quiet cute crimson fox. For a few moments, he began to think of any ways to help ease out the fox's broodness and there was only solution that came into his mind.

Kurama was minding his own business of trying to get a good nap when the boy suddenly grabbed him and raised him up into the blank air." What the hell Kit!?" He yelled in his mind as he found himself on the eyes of beautiful young lady.

"Here's Kuu-chan!" The boy said with a grin on his face. He hoped his plan will work for the better.

There was silence that took over for a brief moment. Kurama was really embarrassed as he didn't like being the center of attention. He could feel everyone staring at him and being carried by the boy really made him more shy. The only thing that he could say was:

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"Yip."

Ayame, being to lady that really loves cute things immediately reacted and grabbed the crimson fox." Oh he's so cute!" She said, as she pulled him into a warm embraced and began to cuddle him at the same time.

Konohamaru felt glad that he was able to help the poor cute nine tailed fox. As he was eating his lunch, he was also watching two getting along with each other even though the face that Kurama was giving him right now.

As for Kurama, He himself can't blame anyone right now, since he was now in this situation. Although, he had to admit that it felt really nice being properly cuddled once more, this young lady that he had seen a lot of times already because of Naruto, was actually nice in person.

(INTERVIEW)

"It was actually nice to lend Kuu-chan a helping hand. After all what he has been through, I guess there are more good things to come for him. Although, I still don't understand the reason on why he was afraid to go the Ramen shop in the first place."

-Konohamaru

"I can't really tell the kit the whole truth about it and bringing me into the shop where Naruto would always hangout is too much for me. Although, Ayame-san was really a nice person."

-Kurama

(MEANWHILE)

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Itachi kept quiet as he observed the scene happening in front of him with interest. He was able to easily recognized the boy as the grandson of the third, to whom he respected since he was a little boy. The only thing that he disliked about the older man was that of the decisions that he made about the Uchiha clan, but it was for the greater good. As for his grandson, he had heard of rumours that he was orphan but by the looks of it right now, he seemed to be a happy boy.

Switching his attention then towards another subject, the older Uchiha fixed his eyes on a certain small crimson fox. The thing that made him curious about the said fox was that there was something familiar about it. Besides the nine tails that creepily reminded him of the Kyuubi no Youku, there was something else, something that he can't figured out but he had to admit that he was cute.

"Hey Itachi!" A familiar voice interrupted his thoughts as he blinked a couple of times before facing his blue skinned friend.

"So any news about that girl that you always talked about?" Kisame asked.

Itachi didn't expected a kind of question coming from the blue-skinned man. Although, he understood the fact that the man hasn't forgotten their encounter with the trio, especially her." Well, I went to the shop that she was working in and a co worker told me that she wasn't on duty." He replied.

Kisame nodded in understanding." I see." He said." She's quite the tough girl and has guts." He commented." It's unfortunate that you won't be able to meet her today." He added as it seemed that the raven haired teen had managed to earned his respect for her as a fellow fighter.

Itachi gave a sigh." I know the chances, Kisame-san." He said." I'm quite surprised that you're commending her all of a sudden." He said.

Kisame gave a slight chuckle." Of course, you rarely see a person with that kind of guts to take anyone, even if that person is powerful." He explained." Plus, she kinda reminds me of you, which is really weird!"

Itachi secretly gave a smile as he continued eating his ramen. He had no comment on that because he haven't got to know her yet. Although, it was already obvious that the girl behaved like an Uchiha." Really weird isn't it?" He let out a sentence.

"You know, I gotta feeling that you two might get along in the future." Kisame said, as if he was imagining a strong bond between his friend and the girl." Although, at the same time, you'll be put into a position of protecting her in time of danger or maybe even risking your life." He added, voicing a bit of his warning.

When his blue skinned friend gave that statement, Itachi suddenly felt his hair raising up as a sign of his goosebumps. There was some kind of eeriness and seriousness along his sentences, as if the first of the three warnings had been given to him in the form of his friend.

Although, that was not his main focus right now, his main objective was to locate the raven haired girl's home or at least maybe a person that might know the exact location of her home here in the village.

(MEANWHILE)

Kurama rested on an empty seat, He was exhausted from all the cuddling by the young lady even though he had really enjoyed it in the first place because it relieved him of any stress that he was feeling right now. The only thing that cost him was his energy as he began to feel drowsy as ever.

His eyes began to observed his surroundings, mainly Konohamaru and Ayame, who were still chatting. As moments passed by, drowsiness began to creeped up hia eyes.

He was beginning to think that this was moment that he had been waiting for. The moment that he was finally gonna have a good nap and expecting the boy to carry him all throughout the day.

A sweet achievement!

Although, that short triumph would be put to an end in just a matter of seconds. There was a glimpse of dark blue hair that passed by his eyes, at first he ignored it, thinking that it was just some random customer passing by. Although, there was this familiar scent that his nose suddenly detected, but he too dismissed it as scents that sometimes would bring unexpected nostalgia.

The last sign that would finally end his short-lived nap was that of a female voice that spoke.

(SUNFLOWER)

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"Hello Ayame-neesan!"

A certain teenage girl arrived and stood in front of the main counter. She had dark blue hair that she wears with straight bangs and a hime-cut. her hair flares out on the sides and back, and she has an ahoge on the top of her head, which resembles the stem of a leaf. She donned a light yellow long-sleeved hooded-sweater with a blue shirt underneath that has a petal-like pattern, and a pinkish red shorts with black cycling shorts underneath.

She also had two patches on her cheeks in the shaped of a gorgeous sunflower.

Himawari gave a smile to would light up everybody's day as the latter greeted the older lady.

"Hima! What a surprised!." Ayame said, as she too greeted the teenage girl in front of her with a warm smile. She hadn't seen the young lady for quite some time now since her big brother has been assigned on a mission.

"It's been quite awhile." Himawari said as she placed her hands together as a sign of apology" I'm sorry, I haven't got time to visit Ayame-neesan" She apolgized. She would then go on to explain that she had been busy with the stuff back at the aparment with all the spring cleaning and maintaining the place the unit altogether.

Ayame nodded in understanding." It's alright Hima." She said." You don't have to say sorry, it's no ones fault." She added, letting out a little chuckle.

Himawari gave a small chuckle as she then presented a plastic tupperware which contained small homemade baked chocolate chip cookies." Here's a gift for you and uncle Teuchi, I've been recently immersing myself on cook books and I ended up baking cookies!" The dark blue haired girl explained with a slight chuckle in the end.

"Thank you very much Hima!" Ayame said, before noticing that she was holding a plastic bag containing several tupperwares which contained the same product.

"Oh there are more?" Ayame raised both her eyebrows and asked.

The Uzumaki teen simply nodded." Well, I've been visiting some friends around the villages lately, so might as well give them cookies!" She explained with a smile.

"Oh I see." Ayame said, before a thought came into her mind." How's your big brother by the way? " She asked." The kitchen really needs right now." She gave a slight chuckle on the subject.

Himawari sighed." I know, but he's on his mission with Sarada-nee still." She replied with a sign of sadness on her tone of voice." It really does make the rest of your days bored actually." She added.

"Oh I see." Ayame commented. Both girls were really disappointed, without the blonde's presence, both sides were in slight jeopardy. The ramen shop has been missing its top crew member while the Uzumaki teen felt a little bit lonely everytime she stays on the apartment, so that is why she had been going over to the people that she knew.

" I guess, I better get going, or else these cookies won't find their true home." Himawari said as she broke the silence. She bidded her farewell as she left the area, leaving a trail of confusion and shock.

"Thank you again Hima!" Ayame replied as she waved her hand.

"Ayame-nee?" A familiar voice then suddenly interrupted her as she immediately turned towards Konohamaru.

Konahamaru was surprised." Isn't that girl, the big blonde's sister?" He asked as he observed the teenage girl. He also realized that it was actually her, the sister of the guy that eerily looked like his big boss Naruto.

Ayame nodded." Yup, she's a very nice person actually!" She said, as she would go on to explained that teenage girl really did helped a lot of people.

Konahamaru could only give a shrugged as he wasn't sure about that. Maybe if he could meet and get to know her in person, then he would believe it or at least get an idea of her character or maybe become friends with her.

(CURIOUSNESS)

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Coming from different walks of life, Kurama and Itachi's eyes and ears lit up as they turned their heads to see on what has transpired. Although, both were too late to see the newcomer, who had already left the shop, let alone hearing the voice of that newcomer, which was that of a girl.

Itachi was puzzled as when he suddenly heard the name" Sarada" being mentioned by that mysterious newcomer. Then it came into his mind that the newcomer might possibly know the raven haired teen. He never actually got to see her full appearance in the first place since he was busy with his meal. He tried to see more about the newcomer as he turned around to see a glimpse of dark-blue hair slowly fading away from a distance.

At the same time, Kurama was also observing, He had mixed feelings of denial and surprised. He was shaking his head and couldn't figured out if that newcomer, was indeed her. He regretted himself for dismissing the familiar scent and aura that he had sense just now. Although, he did managed to get a glimpse of dark blue, which he deduced was the colour of the newcomer's hair.

With the confused looks of Kisame, Ayame, and Konohamaru towards these two individuals, both the Uchiha and the Kyuubi had newly found goals, to find out the real identity of that newcomer, and search for the exact location of her home.

(CHAPTER END)

(INTERVIEW)

"I was really curious about that newcomer, When I heard her mentioning Sarada's name, It gave me the chance to find her again through that mystery person, Somehow her voice really did sound familiar and I'm just gonna have to bring more effort this time."

-Itachi

"Call me crazy, but that scent and aura really reminded me of Himawari and I'm pretty sure of it. I also heard her voice and her name being mentioned but there are a lot of people in the world, having those same kind of traits, I'll just have to make sure of it and I'm going to find it out for myself."

-Kurama