Disclaimer: I do not own Naruto or its characters if I did Naruto would have been a female(:

Chapter Six: Of Shopping, preparations and party

Sunday 12th August 2XXX

Noriko packed her car in the parking lot in front of the coffee shop,exiting the car she headed towards the coffee shop. She entered the shop and on seeing Mikoto she headed towards her.

"Hey Aunty sorry for the wait there was a lot of traffic on my way here!"

"Hey sweety! don't worry I haven't been here for long. So how are you my dear?"

"I'm fine aunty. How is uncle?"

"He is fine dear. He told me to ask you when you will come visit."

"Tell Uncle not to worry I'll pass by one of these days. though it's to help in the organization of his party I will be able to say hi to him too." Noriko answered.

"Okay my dear I will tell him what you just said. Mikoto promised.

"So aunty where do we start we start?"

"Well my dear your mom is in charge of the food for the reception and she told me she is almost through."

" That's great what then is next?" Noriko asked

"We need to concentrate on the decorations since the invitations have already been sent and the party is in four days time. how do you think we should decorate the reception hall?" asked Mikoto

"I think we should make the hall look classic but somehow traditional."

"Great idea let's begin with our shopping!," Mikoto said enthusiasm reflecting in her eyes.

A few hours later...

Oh my gosh that was exhausting I am so tired. what I need right now is a hot bath. Thanks a lot Noriko-chan your help today I don't know what I would have done without you."

"Don't mention it aunty, it was my pleasure to help you. I think we bought everything we needed. I'll be in the mansion tomorrow morning so that we can decorate." Noriko said.

"Okay see you tomorrow then." Noriko answered,entered her car and left.

Noriko's apartment

" I am so damn tired ! I'll just take a shower and go directly to bed." Noriko said yawning.

RIIIINNNG!!

"Who's calling? where did I keep my phone?" Noriko said searching her handbag for a phone.

"Hello Rin-chan."

"Hey sis I found a date for you.

"A date what for?" Noriko asked.

"For uncle's birthday party of course." Karin supplied.

" Did I tell you I needed a date? Who Is It anyway?" Noriko asked annoyed.

"You remember my friend Juugo right? he agreed to be your plus one." Karin explained.

"Oh OK thanks, we'll talk later Rin-chan I am tired and I was on my way to take a shower."Noriko said

"Ok bye sis." Karin said.

Sunday 13th August 2XXX

UCHIHA MANSION

Noriko arrived at the Uchihas early after packing her car, she went towards the big front doors. On knocking the doors were opened by the butler.

"Good morning Mamoru-san." Noriko created.

"Morning Noriko-sama, Mikoto-sama is waiting for you in the sitting room." the butler said.

"Oh thank you." Noriko answered

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"Good morning aunty." Noriko greeting.

"Morning sweety, how did you sleep?"

"Fine aunty. Where is uncle? I will love to say hello to him."

"He is in his study dear. go and see him he will be very happy to see you"

Noriko nodded and left for the study. She knocked on the door of the study once and beard her uncle's 'come in' before opening the door and going in.

"Hello uncle, how are you today?"

"Oh Ko-chan its you, come closer and give your old uncle a hug," Fugaku said opening his arms wide for the hug. Noriko happily embraced him. Ruffling her hair as he often did when she was a Kid. " How have you been kiddo? he asked.

"I'm okay uncle and you how are you,?"

"I am fine now that you are here. So have you confessed to him yet?"

"Uncle that's an embarrassing question but no I haven't and I don't think I ever will."

"Why do you say so? You use to confide in me when you were younger. Have you given up on him already?. Fugaku asked with a raised eyebrow.

" I didn't give up uncle, I just decided to face reality and realised Itachi-kun can only be best friends nothing more."

"If that's really what you want I will respect your decision. All I want is for my goddaughter to be happy."Fugaku said with an encouraging smile.

"Thank you uncle. I am going downstairs to help aunty with the preparations for your party." Noriko said.

"OK then see you later." he answered.

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Mikoto , Noriko and the maids worked diligently for hours to ensure that everything is perfect for the upcoming party.

"Well I think that was the last one aunty."

"Yes my dear it is, thanks a lot for the help."

"" Don't mention it aunty it was my pleasure to help in the organization of uncle's birthday."

"So where are you headed now?"

" Well, I am going shopping with mum."

"Oh I see give Kushina-chan my regards "

"OK aunty see you." Noriko said leaving.

Noriko and Kushina went shopping for hours. After trying many dresses Noriko finally decided to take an ankle length green dress while her mom took and navy blue straight gown. They equally went shopping for shoes and jewelries and finally around late afternoon they had already bought a the things they needed.

""Gush finally were through this was exhausting." Noriko said.

"Well it's a good thing we were able to find everything we wanted to buy."

"OK mom I will be heading home now."

"OK sweety take care dear bye."

"Bye mom."

The days after the shopping were very busy days for Noriko. She spent most of her days working at the hospital. on the eve of the birthday as she was about to go to bed, Juugo called to tell her at what time he will pick up for the party.

"Hello Noriko its Juugo on the line."

"Oh Juugo how are you?"

"I am fine thanks for asking I called to tell you I will pick you up at 7pm for the reception tomorrow"

"OK I get it I'll be ready by then thanks."

"OK then see you tomorrow Noriko."

"Yeah tomorrow."

Ending the call Noriko went to sleep. The following morning on the day of the birthday, Noriko woke up early and went for her morning jogging. Since today is her day off, she spent an hour in the park relaxing and watching the clouds as she often did with Shikamaru when they were younger. Her moment of silence was interrupted when her phone rang.

"Hello Sakura-chan."

"Hey Ko-chan I was wondering if you would like to go to the spa with Hinata, Tenten and I today."

"The spa? Well I would have love to go with you guys but I can't today. I have a few things to do before the party tonight."

"Oh well we will meet at the party then. By the way Who is your plus one for the party tonight Ko-chan?"

"It's Karin's friend Juugo, you remember him right."

"Yeah I do, that great! See you later then.".

" OK bye Sakura."

With that the call ended and Noriko headed to her apartment. Indeed she had a busy day; she went for grocery shopping after doing her laundry and cleaning her apartment. Afterwards she decided that napping for a few hours will be great. She woke up from her nap at about 5:30pm, prepared a bubble bath to bathe after which she had to get ready for the party.

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"Hey Sasuke-kun did you call Itachi-kun to check if he is back from his business trip,?" Ino asked her husband who was just from a shower.

"I called him last night and he said he will be arriving this morning I will call him again right now to check if he is already back."

" Please do, your brother is fond of either coming late for important events or not showing up at all." she told him.

" Hn I know." He answered picking up his cellphone to call his brother. He dialed the number after a few rings his brother picked the call.

"Hello?" Itachi answered sleepily

"" Hello Nii-san where are you ?"

"In my apartment."

"What are you doing right now?"

"I was napping when you called. Why do you ask?"

"Sleeping? I hope you haven't forgotten today is dad's birthday."

"Oh it's today? damn It slipped off my mind again"

"Yes it's today and mom will kill you if you are late or absent."

"I know, anyways thanks for reminding me. I'll try to get ready bye otoutou." Itachi said hanging up

"What did he say?" Ino asked.

"He was asleep and forgot the reception was today. He said he was going to take a shower."

"Oh great then, we need to get ready too."

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As promised Juugo came and picked up Noriko at 7pm and they drove together in his car to the party. A few minutes later the arrived at the Uchiha mansion. After parking his car , Juugo exited the car to open Noriko's door. He offered her his arm to help her out of the car.

"Thanks Juugo" she said with a smile.

"Don't mention it. You know I am the one who should he saying thank you." he said jokingly.

"Why is that?" she asked.

"Because I am proud to have a woman as beautiful as you as my date tonight. I think I will be the envy of many tonight at this party." he admitted making her to giggle.

"Oh Juugo you are so funny I think I am going to enjoy being your date." she said with mirth.

"I only aim to please my dear. I think it's time we make our grand entrance." he said. With a nod from her after he had collected their presents for Fugaku on the back seat of the car, they headed toward the house.

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Itachi had arrived for the party early and he had planned to give his father his present stay around and interact with a few people for an hour or so and then leave since he wasn't fan of partied. However, he had a change of plans when his mother told him that if it weren't for Noriko she wouldn't have been able to finish the preparations for the party. Telling him that she had somehow coerce Noriko to attend the party tonight. So Itachi decided to stay a bid longer hoping to meet the her so that they could talk.

He was talking with one of his father's business partners when she arrived with a tall man with orange hair. And though he felt very upset and jealous seeing her with another man he couldn't get his eyes off her. He felt like going over to them and telling the orange head guy that he should back off and that she was his.His thought were interrupted when he heard his father speak.

" Excuse me gentlemen my goddaughter is here . I am going to say hello." Fugaku said heading towards the couple .

"Happy birthday uncle." Noriko said with a loving smile.

"Thanks my dear. Who is this young man? You new boyfriend?" the older man asked with a teasing tone.

"This is Juugo my friend. He agreed to be my plus one today. Juugo this is my godfather Fugaku Uchiha."

"Nice to meet you sir." Juugo greeted.

"You are welcome young man. I see you brought presents. Juugo go put them on that table over there while I keep Noriko company in your absence." Fugaku instructed.

"Hai sir" Juugo said leaving for the table.

"So did you bring this friend of yours to make a certain some one jealous?"

"No of course not. he is actually Karin's friend, she asked him to come to the party with me and he agreed " she explained.

"Oh I see, it seems your date just met an acquaintance of his." Fugaku noted and Noriko looked towards the gift table to see Juugo talking to a black haired woman.

"It seems like it I will just go greet Aunty Mikoto then." Noriko said excusing herself. On receiving a nod from the Uchiha she left to look for her aunt. She stopped walking abruptly when she heard a familiar voice.

"So you've found a new boyfriend already Noriko I thought you said no more dating."

Itachi said icily.

"What--?" Noriko ssid confused.

"Did you change you mind about the insemination? or did you decide to have your baby the natural way?' he taunted.

"What the hell Itachi! what's wrong with you today? If you don't have anything nice to say then don't talk to me at all. However I want to have my baby is none of your business!" she yelled and stormed away.

"Son I know you are jealous but you did not have to be so mean too her." Fugaku chided.

"Yeah I know Tou-sama, I was out of line just now. I think I need a drink." he said with a sigh leaving.

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"The nerve of that jerk talking to me like that. Whatever I do with my life is my business--" Noriko was muttering angrily when bumps into someone almost falling.

"I am sorry, I wasn't watching where I was going."she apologized while bowing.

"It's okay Ko-chan It was my fault. I should have been more careful." said a soft voice.

Lifting her head up, Noriko recognized the person immediately. "Oh Izumi it's you."

"Yeah it's me . How have you been?"

"I'm fine what about you? I haven't seen you for a while now. Where have you been,?" Noriko asked.

"I went for a business trip in China. I came two days ago."

"Oh I see, I was looking for Aunty Mikoto when collided with you."

"I think I saw her going toward the kitchen."

"Oh thanks Izumi, If you are looking for Itachi , I think I saw him that way just now."

"Okay thanks I will go look for him.."

"Okay bye then."

"Now that his girlfriend is here I am sure Itachi will be in a better mood. With her here I don't feel like staying for this party. I will just talk to aunty and tell her I am going home because I am feeling unwell." Noriko thought sadly and headed to the kitchen.

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"Good evening Aunty." Noriko greeted.

"Oh hello my dear. Did you just arrive?" Mikoto asked.

"Not really Aunty I arrived about thirty minutes ago. I was with uncle just now and thought should cone say hello."

"Oh that thoughtful of you. You are gorgeous tonight by the way."

"Thanks Aunty."

"I came to check on the food here. It looks like everything is ready to be served. Let's go back so I greet my guests."

"Emm...Aunty I might go home early tonight. I have a serious headache and I feel feverish as well."

"Oh dear sorry. Are you sure you will be okay going home on your own?" Mikoto asked worried.

"Yeah, I will be fine."

"Oh wait I think I have an idea. I will send a servant to bring the medicine that can help ease your headache. And if after that you still feel unwell you can o upstairs and rest in one of the rooms. What do you say?"

"Yeah that's a good idea Aunty." Noriko said and thought "Great now I am stock here. Oh well I can still escape and go upstairs when this party becomes unbearable."

With that the both left the kitchen and moved to the reception hall. On arriving there, Noriko was pleased to find out that her sister, brother, and parents had already arrive. She went over to her parents and said hello before going on to chat with her brother and Sakura. A few minutes later, the party began , meaning all the guest moved to the respective tables to sit down and unfortunately for Noriko she found her self seating on the same table with Itachi and Izumi so she decided to ignore them. Fugaku made a speech thanking everybody for coming and then cutting his birthday cake. After which it was time to eat so servers could be seen serving food and drinks from table to table.

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AND CUT!!!

SORRY ABOUT THE LONG WAIT. THIS IS YOU NEW CHAPTER PLEASE READ AND REVIEW.

NAMIKAZE ICHIME