"What's got you looking this tired in the morning, Itachi?" Shisui couldn't help but notice how slightly unfocused and tired his best friend was.
Itachi and Shisui were on their way to do some morning training with the Anbu.
"Nothing..." Itachi looked in the other direction away from Shisui.
"Did something happen last night?" Shisui was beginning to get curious.
"N-no. I just had a difficult time sleeping. That's all." Itachi tried his best to speak in his usual calm manner while thinking about the events last night when Izumi appeared in his room.
He couldn't stop replaying the events in his mind. It almost felt like he put his own self inside a Genjutsu.
"Well, at least it seems like Izumi had a good night's sleep," Shisui remembered his encounter with Izumi this morning.
Itachi attention span spiked after the sound of Izumi's name coming out of Shisui's mouth.
"What do you mean?" Itachi grew curious.
"Well, when I walked pasted her house, she seemed to be in a jolly mood. I asked her why she was in such a good mood, but she ended up blushing...and then rushing out."
"Something about Sarame calling her. Must've been an excuse. How I see it, something must've happened last night." Shisui chuckled.
"Don't overthink it. It's a waste of time meddling in other people's business." Itachi didn't want Shisui delving too deep into this matter.
It was embarrassing for him, and he was sure it was embarrassing for Izumi as well.
Knowing Izumi, she wouldn't speak to anyone about last night unless it was Sarame. And if that were the case, then he wasn't too sure what to do.
"Let's go. We're almost at the training ground."
Itachi and Shisui rushed to meet up with the Anbu for briefing and then began their training.
*****
"Izumi over here!" Sarame waved her arms.
"Sarame, why did you call me this early in the morning?" Izumi panted from rushing out of her house early on.
"Girl, are you okay? I called you but I didn't expect you to rush over this quickly." Sarame looked at her best friend who was now panting in front of her.
"Yeah...ha-ha. I thought it'd be a great opportunity to get my exercise for today."
"Okay, well remember Haku from last night?" Sarame asked.
"Your old academy friend?"
"Yes, that guy. Well, he's been nudging me about asking you if you were interested in going on a date with him this afternoon."
"A d-date?!" Izumi reacted surprised.
"Yes, and I said you'd be interested in going so please go!" Sarame pleaded and bowed down in front of Izumi.
"Sarame! Why did you tell him I was interested? You didn't ask me first?!"
"You've never really hung out with other guys, besides Shisui and Itachi. No kidding, they're both hotties but, honey they're part of the Anbu. They're very busy men. And aren't they supposed to deprive themselves of having any emotion?" Sarame continued to file her nails.
"And what makes you think I'm not busy?" Izumi claimed.
"You need someone who will pay attention to you and take care of you. You see?"
"Sarame. I'm not going to go on this date. Besides, I --." Izumi was cut off.
"Please, Izumi! He's a nice guy, mature, caring, handsome, and he's very interested in you. At least give him a chance!" Sarame pleaded again.
"Why don't you date him instead?!"
"I can't. He's like a brother to me. He wanted to get to know you more so at least attend this date. Please...for me?" Sarame grabbed hold of Izumi's shoulders and gave her the puppy eyes.
"Ugh...fine. I'll attend this date, but you owe me." Izumi gave in.
"Yes! I love you, Izumi!" Sarame kissed Izumi on both cheeks and then hugged her tightly.
"I made some breakfast this morning so come and eat with me!" Sarame smiled and led her to her kitchen.
*****
"Izumi, I'm happy you agreed to go on this date. Ah, Sarame didn't force you, did she?" Haku was nervous as he sat in front of Izumi.
Izumi thought back to how annoying Sarame was for pushing her to go on this date.
"N-no. She didn't." Izumi tried her best to stay calm. All she could think of at the moment was how she was going to get back at Sarame for this.
"S-so, what sort of things do you do?" He began to ask.
"Uh...um well I have been training a lot recently. I recently moved up as a Jonin and I have been taking on some more missions." Izumi was proud to share.
"That's amazing that you're a Jonin! You're so cool, Izumi!" Haku smiled and congratulated her.
"Oh, it's nothing. I'm only doing my part as a kunoichi of the hidden leaf." Izumi smiled and thought about how exciting it was to be on more missions this time and to become stronger.
"I'm only a Genin, ha-ha. I've failed countless times, but I will pass the Chunin exam next time!" Haku let out.
Izumi thought about how someone like Haku was still a Genin after all this time. But surely it takes everyone time to master their skills. The title of someone isn't representative of their actual strength.
Haku kept going on and on about how he failed the Chunin exams every year and how every year it felt more and more difficult.
"Itachi, isn't that Izumi?" Shisui spotted a brown head from a distance.
Itachi and Shisui stopped their trail. They had been on their way home after training when they suddenly noticed a familiar figure in the direction of a mini cafe at the corner of the intersection where they stood.
They could see Izumi giggling and talking to someone sitting right across from her at a table outside of the mini cafe.
"Woah! Could she be...on a date?!" Shisui grew interested in the sight and wanted to move in closer to have a better look.
"Itachi, let's go!" Shisui grabbed Itachi and moved them closer to a location where they could have a better view of the two.
"Yup, that sure is Izumi. But wait, isn't that that one guy from last night? What was his name again? Oh, that's right, Haku!" Shisui was excited at the sight of one of his friends on a date.
"So what? What's so interesting about two individuals of the opposite sex chatting down to a meal? Their romantic business is none of our concern." Itachi reverted his gaze away from Izumi and continued to look in the direction ahead of him.
"But it's Izumi we're talking about!" Shisui whined.
"I'm heading home." Itachi walked forward.
"Hm, someone's jealous." Shisui grins then attempted to nudge Itachi's shoulder but had missed. Itachi was already ahead of him in the direction that led them back to the Uchiha complex.
"Hey! Itachi, wait! I was just kidding, ha-ha!"
"Whatever." Itachi tried his best to stay calm. He hadn't expected Izumi to be the type to want to go on dates with people she'd only met the night before.
He felt the urge to ask her once they had the chance to meet again. Was she really this quick?
"Izumi, I like you! I think you're really beautiful, kind, smart, and caring. Please go out with me!" Haku confessed as he stood up and quickly bowed in place.
Izumi stayed silent for a moment. She didn't expect a confession so early into the date. It surprised her but stayed calm.
"Haku, I'm sorry but, I don't think we could work out. There's someone else I like. I really admire this person for who they are. I hope that they can see me one day and that I can become as strong as they are." She smiled.
There was a moment of silence until Haku let out tears.
"Hey, don't let this experience stop you from finding someone you truly like and someone who truly likes you." She continued.
Izumi laid her palm on top of Haku's hand.
"You know what I think. I think that as long as you keep training yourself and pushing yourself to get better, you'll become a Chunin one day and eventually a Jonin just like me. So, keep that fighting spirit, okay?" Izumi looked into Haku's eyes.
"Thank you, Izumi. I don't feel too bad after this rejection." Haku looked down.
"That's good to hear." Izumi smiled at Haku.
"It's getting pretty late. I should be on my way. See ya, Haku!"
"See ya, Izumi!" Haku waved goodbye as Izumi headed out.
*****
"That witch! Sarame, you!" Izumi stood beside her open window pacing back and forth thinking again about how she'll get back at Sarame for today.
"How embarrassing! Who would set their best friend up for an unwanted date!" Izumi grabbed a pillow and pressed it against her face. She grew embarrassed thinking about some awkward conversations with Haku during the date.
"When I see you again, I'm really going to --."
Izumi stood still and was shocked to see a figure had been quietly staring at her, sitting on her open window, arms crossed, and listening to her ranting about her friend.
"I-Itachi?!"