Author's note: Sorry for the very long update. But here it is! Though this isn't actually how I had expected to end. (I've got Author's fleet where I change the ending by the last minute.)

I'm really sorry for this….

Warning: Lime (Mature contents)

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"A kiss between friends"

Written by: bloomsburry

Betaed by: BlackButterfly-RedRose

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Disclaimer: I don't own Naruto.

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"A Kiss Between Friends"

Final Chapter

Itachi/Sakura

Friendship/Romance

Rated T or M?

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"Sakura," the man above her groaned as she parted her lips to touch his tongue with hers, glorifying when he immediately responded, branding her with thoroughness while they both deepened the kiss; lips and tongues seeking and devouring. The onslaught of his sensual kisses rid her off the ability to think sensibly.

There was something elusive and overwhelming awakened inside her; an intense emotion that left her aching and wanting for more. She suddenly felt hot despite the fact that the French doors to her balcony stood open, with the cold wind blowing inside. Sakura couldn't careless as long as Itachi kept kissing her, while his hard, virile body wards her off from the cold and keeps her warm with his heat.

"Hn," Sakura murmured incoherently, burying her fingers into Itachi's hair as she slanted her head and run her tongue on the roof of Itachi's mouth. He purred in approval and grasp her neck and delve his tongue into hers, tasting her sweet nectar with abundance.

Her lips was bruised and swollen after Itachi had nibbled, suckled, bit and laved at her lips. Either of which didn't fail to kindle her fiery passion inside her, making her breathless and toes curl. Sakura could hardly think straight while all of her senses were very aware of Itachi. She knew that they were treading into dangerous territory but she couldn't resist Itachi's heady and deep kisses, even if she wanted too.

They were addicting and—and…….

"Itachi," She shivered, her body going pliant while she grabs hold of Itachi's broad shoulder, feeling the muscles bunch there as Itachi's hot breath fanned over her flushed skin before suckling the cord of her neck, hard.

Her hand convulsed while she heard a roar on her ears as blood rush all over her entire, hot body. Her body was feverishly hot as Itachi bit her gently.

Whimpering sounds escape from her lips as Itachi's mouth brought her springing from the bed everything his tongue flicked over her sensitive ear. There was an odd glitter in Sakura's eyes as she stared at the dark head moving above her. Her breath came in frantic gasp when Itachi slide the collar of her huge shirt to expose her shoulder.

Convulsive shudders went through her as Itachi suckled and marveled her with his tongue. Her hand tightened on his shoulder as she could feel something knotted on her stomach and her skin became damp with sweat.

All her senses heightened as Itachi's lips disappear from her skin. The temperature in the room becoming stiflingly hot as Itachi's weight pressed her hard on the bed, trapping her and making her conscious of his leanly, muscled form molding against her soft, womanly curves.

Beads of sweat dotted on her forehead and at the back of her neck. Her lips trembled as Itachi nibbled her earlobe. Then she jerk in surprise as he unexpectedly nipped her lobe and she gasped when he lick the shell of her ear.

"Itachi!" She protested, her body quaking as he blew into her ear. He chuckled darkly, kissing the skin behind her ear while he caressed her exposed shoulder.

"Have I ever told you that your ears drive me crazy?" He whispered to her, his voice dark and seductive; no trace of the soft lilting, almost impassive tone that she often heard him use. It took Sakura's breath away.

"Wh—why?" She stuttered. "Why does it drives you---" the question stuck on her throat when Itachi's hand ventured down her arm before capturing her risk.

"Crazy?" He said, his breath raising the hair at the back of her neck while he nuzzled her jaw. Sakura held her breath when Itachi twine their fingers above their heads.

"It's simple, Sakura." He murmured her name a caress on his lips and Sakura shuddered. Itachi felt it and he smiled enigmatically at her. "I have always noticed it when you twirled a lock of your hair every time you're concentrating." He whispered, trailing kisses on her neck, her jaw, her chin, and the corners of her mouth where he hovered perilously close to her trembling lips; his smoldering gaze pinning her down and setting her body afire. She stared longingly at his lips but she didn't make a move to claim them.

"But that's not the only thing I noticed about you," He said lowering his ridiculous think, long lashes. "There's another thing that drives me crazy."

"What is it?" She asked as she stared at Itachi's veiled expression. Sakura didn't knew if it was her imagination as something flickered in Itachi's eyes but it disappeared in a blink.

Itachi was silent and was staring disconcertingly at her reddened lips. She knew exactly what was on his mind, or what drives him crazy, and Sakura couldn't restrained herself as she lean towards him.

"Itachi," she said more like aching plea as she touch her lips against Itachi's, and his response was immediate. As soon as their lips met, he was feasting over her lips with unrestrained fervor while his hard, aroused body strained towards her. A moan tore from deep within her when he slips his tongue into her mouth. Scorching heat assailed her fluttering senses, and rippled down her spine in massive forays. She couldn't understand that she was becoming damp between her legs, too damn damp as moistness seeped into her panties.

Their tongues tangled; their lips hungry and Sakura shivered delicately as she savored him. The painful throb in her stomach intensified. She became all too aware of it and restlessly, as if on instinct, started lifting her hips and arching her back, pressing and needing to get closer to Itachi was humanly possible, and trying to satisfy the ache that burned inside her.

She was new to this foreign feeling and Sakura didn't know if she should like it or not. But she was enjoying this too much. She heard him groan as she grind her hips against him, accidentally nudging against something hard and---

"Sakura," Itachi tried to disentangle himself from her, realizing the gravity of where his action was leading. Sakura stopped him, taking hold of his head and kiss him deep and hard. Her bruised lips trembled as she roughly and temptingly kiss him.

Itachi went rigid. His body tense but still Sakura didn't know how her curious action was affecting Itachi intensely. She couldn't remember her free hand sliding down Itachi's broad back or her fingernails digging into his spine. Yet she couldn't get enough of him. She slips her hands inside his shirt and instantly, felt her way over his bare, hot flesh. She closed her eyes in marvel as her hands move over his rippling and tense muscles; scraping her nails into his hard stomach as a whimper of pleasure slip passed her lips as she touched and caressed him.

Then all of a sudden, Sakura's hands were pinned above her head and Itachi pressed his body almost punishing against hers. His cold, chiseled face loomed over her while she stared into his steely eyes. She could see anger and a dark, wild expression that made him look dangerous.

He was dangerous.

"Do you know what sex is like Sakura?" His voice tight and guttural as he glared down at her while his question simply shocks and excites her at the same time. Sakura lick her suddenly dry lips. Her emerald eyes glinted with unconscious invitation. She wanted him.

Itachi's body responded and growled. "Do you know what it feels like to have a man moving inside you?"

"No," She breathed, digging her nails into his flesh. No. She thought while the question brought an answering shudder from her. Even though she doesn't know the full detail about sex, which she mostly heard from her studies on human physiology while some she had gotten from her friends. But she knew that it would be glorious and pleasurable, especially when she was doing it with the man she loves.

Itachi.

Sakura became still, her heart thumping wildly against her chest as she gazed up at the man who was regarding her with such intense, furious and lustful eyes. She loved him and the realization made her achingly aware how vulnerable she was. But it was too late. Pain would come sooner when he would leave her.

"Sakura," He said.

She looked up at him, her mind full of turbulent emotions as her new feeling threatened to overcome her rational thought. She needed him to stay. She needed him now more than ever.

"Itachi," She began. She wanted to tell him but Itachi bit out.

"Do you know what you were doing Sakura?" He asked in a harsh tone, the muscles on his jaw flexed as he ground out the words. "Do you know where your action—our action was leading when I hadn't stopped you?"

Sakura trembled at the coldness of his eyes. "No," she responded, shaking her head.

"No?" He asked, his lips stretched into a tight, formidable line. He scrutinized her and while his lips curled into a cruel smile. "I could have taken your innocence, Sakura." Tears threatened to spill from her eyes as Itachi seized her wrists and gripped them tight. "I could have ruined you and I would never want to do that." A flash of self-disgust fleeted across Itachi's obsidian eyes while he let her hands go.

"Itachi," She reached out for him, searching his eyes for something there; something that would tell her that he loved her. Yet, all she could find was his abating anger. She became silent. A lump formed in her throat while she looks mutely at him.

"I'm leaving, Sakura."

Pain like no other, intense and devastating, strike through her heart. Sakura clenched her fist as her vision swam with bitter tears.

"I'm leaving and I won't be coming back."

"No! No you can't!" She choked, her hands making a grab for him. Itachi didn't stop her as she drew him back. "You can't leave me!"

"Yes, I can." He responded stonily while Sakura buried her face into his neck. "I can and I will."

"But you can't!" She insisted fiercely into his neck, muffling her voice as silent tears streak passed her cheeks. "You can't!" she cried. Her heart wrenching by the thought of him leaving her.

"Sakura," His voice hard while he pulled away from her. "You must understand why I'm leaving you." Sakura look at him and when Itachi saw her tears, his face hardened, stilling himself from the twinge of remorse that clawed at his heart.

"I'm doing this because I don't want you reputation tarnish if someone saw me leaving your balcony. This has to end."

"I don't care about my reputation!" She said vehemently, grasping his shirt. Her eyes glinting with defiance as tears fell from her eyes without her noticing it. "I don't give a damn what people think! All I care about is you! Only you, damn it!"

"Sakura!" Itachi reproached, his eyes glittering dangerously. "You have to understand that I won't allow you to do this! I'm not going to risk your reputation or your future for that matter by coming here!"

"After all these years why are you saying this now?" She asked, her voice rising in anger and her pain. "Why? Why now when you could have left me a long time ago?"

She searched his eyes and waited for him to answer. Itachi was unresponsive. Sakura clench her teeth and pushed him away. Kami, she loves him but she couldn't let him see how his action was giving her so much pain. Her heart ached as if a knife was stab into that pesky organ. She was fool to have fallen in love with him and for just realizing it now. She would have save herself the pain by closing her balcony to him before she even realized what she was feeling. But she realized too late.

She was a damn fool.

She tried to slip away but Itachi grab her arm and forcefully pin her back on the bed. Sakura didn't struggle but averted her head instead; afraid that Itachi might see the love shining in her eyes and the pain he had unintentionally inflicted on her.

"As much as I wanted to stay Sakura, I wanted to leave." Sakura's heart tagged painfully at his words. Tears fell freely down her cheeks, like rivers of translucent rivulets from dark sea foamy eyes as Sakura swallowed a lump on her throat.

"Why?" She whispered. Pain shone through her limpid orbs as she asked the question that was left unanswered earlier. "Why are you leaving when you said you wanted to stay?"

"Because I would desire you if I stay,"

Sakura snapped her towards him, her teary, pain-shimmering eyes colliding with Itachi's solemn orbs. His grudging admission simply took her breath away and made her heart thud loudly in her ears.

"The kiss we just share made me realized how beautiful, desirable woman you have become." He said, his face remain serious and aloof as he regarded her. "I came here for a whole different reason to leave you. But somehow, I found a new, convincing reason why I need to leave you." He appraised her face, his eyes pausing on her lips where he stared at it for a tantalizing moment.

"I want you but I can't have you." He said; his dark eyes fleeting back to her. Sakura closed her eyes. Despite the fact that it wasn't the exact words that she wanted to hear from him, she was still elated. Itachi wanted her and that was more than enough. And this will give her the slim chance to persuade him to stay.

"That's why my leaving will be good for the both of us."

Then just like that. Her hopes were crushed by his words and Sakura turn to lash out. Pain incited her desperation.

"Why won't you stay?" She asked in an angry whisper. She was a desperate woman with insatiable desires. She wanted him to stay.

"You know why, Sakura." Itachi said sternly.

"No, I don't." She yelled, yanking her arm free "I don't know at all!"

Itachi let her go, pillows fell from the bed while a muffled yelp was heard as the pillows hit the puppy, which had been sleeping on the carpeted floor. Sakura sat on her knees, pressing her fist into her thighs.

"If you want me why won't you stay?" She asked, her eyes fixed on the floor where she could see the puppy trying to catch their attention.

Itachi remain implacable. "I have to go," he said standing abruptly. Sakura made frustrated sound on her throat while angry tears poured down her face, a pink curtain of hair hiding her pain.

"If I can't make you understand then there's no point for me to stay here."

"No!" Sakura caught Itachi's shirt, her grip tightened when Itachi reach out for her hand. He tried to force her to let go but Sakura wouldn't. She couldn't.

"Don't leave," She pleaded, all her pride and bravado crumpled into dust as she groveled. She needed him to stay and she loves him too much that her heart ached by the sight of him. Even though she looks a pathetic at the moment, Sakura would do everything in her power to keep Itachi there, at her side, and in her heart.

"Please," it was humiliating to beg but Sakura force the humiliation aside and stared beseechingly up at Itachi, her heart on her eyes and her pain apparent in her tears.

"No," Itachi said finally. "I have to leave Sakura. I can't linger here any longer."

Itachi gently twisted her hand from his shirt and Sakura was force to let go. Then Itachi unexpectedly pushed her firmly away from him. Sakura fell like a bundle of heap on the bed, staring at Itachi who was staring coolly at her.

Without another word, he pivoted around but Sakura scrambled towards him in a desperate attempt to stop him for a second time. And this time she wrapped her arms around him and pulled him back. Itachi resisted. He was stronger and could easily overpower her but Sakura wasn't going to admit defeat.

They wrestled, Itachi was careful in handling her but Sakura wasn't. She knew that she would lose and so, Sakura took advantage of his hesitation. Her arms strained to keep him still and ended up falling in her back with Itachi on top of her. She was breathing hard at her exertion while Itachi hadn't even broken a sweat.

Sakura rolled from under him and then with a speed that even surprised the impassive Uchiha, Sakura straddled him and place her hands on either side of Itachi's head, trapping him underneath her.

She tried to catch her breath, watching Itachi, who was watching her with dark, furious eyes. He didn't dare move. His hands pressed to his sides while Sakura gasp for air.

"If you want me, then take me." She said, and pressed her body down. Molding her entire body against him and could feel him tense and went rigid in denial.

Sakura wasn't over with him and place her mouth near his ear. "Take me," She whispered while Itachi's hand reached for her shoulder and was about to shove her way when her next words stop him. "Take me or I'll do the taking." He froze. The hand on her shoulder stilled.

And then,

"Don't do this, Sakura." He said in a tight voice, his hand relax to caress her shoulder before grasping her neck.

"Why not?" She asked, turning to look at him and felt the familiar flutter of heat as her eyes met Itachi's. She shuddered in anticipation at what she saw in his eyes.

"Because you don't know what you are doing," Itachi said, gritting his teeth while he shut his eyes as if he wanted her to disappear from his sight.

Sakura wasn't going to allow that to happen.

On a whim, she swoops down and claimed his lips for a wet, searing kiss that would leave him trembling and staining for more. Itachi's eyes flew open to stare at Sakura who was taking pleasure from his press lips, nibbling and nipping his full lower lips gently and roughly. Itachi was far too shock to do anything.

He hadn't seen this side from Sakura and was beginning to enjoy it as Sakura flicked her tongue over his immobile lips; asking for entry and trying to coax a response. She had learned well from him and would have wanted to respond to her intimate and arousing kisses if he wasn't set on leaving her.

However, Sakura wasn't going to let him. Her hand sliding to grasp his neck while her other hand fluttered delicately over his fast beating heart.

"I'm taking you," She said as she pulled back from him, her eyes dark with desire as she stared down at him. Itachi became hard. More from her words than her action. The image it had conjured made it difficult for him to put a leash over his libido, especially when Sakura was straddling him in an innocent yet sinful display, and only wearing panties underneath her huge pink shirt saying 'Kiss me Uchiha Itachi'. Itachi would be moved to do just that, kiss her senseless and take her easily, one rip panties and a tag of his zipper and he would be inside her tight warmth within a second. But his sense of self-preservation prevented him from doing what his licentious mind was dictating him to do.

Hopefully, Sakura wouldn't do something stupid as to fan the rising flames and get them burn.

"I'm wet, Itachi."

Itachi mentally uttered an oath as his treasonous body reacted to her words. Kami, he was hard and aroused. He couldn't imagine himself leaving when there was a young, beautiful and tempting woman pressed against him in silent invitation. She wasn't immune to him either and he could smell her arousal emanating from her. Too aroused as expected of a horny teenager, and he wasn't only speaking for Sakura.

"And I know you know what it means," Sakura said as she felt him went totally still underneath her. "Are you going to tell me or am I going to do some exploring of my own?"

Sakura's words sound more like a threat to Itachi's ear as he focuses his breathing. Every nerve in his body was in high gear while his mind was absorbed on formulating an escape plan. He didn't know that it was very difficult to try and leave someone. But Sakura wasn't someone. She is important to him though he didn't dare admit this to her because it would be like admitting his weakness; though not as weak as he was experiencing now in terms of carnal pain rather than pleasure, when the sight of Sakura drives him to a painful state of desire and denial. And as what he had predicted, he would want her as he wanted her now but know that he could never let himself have her.

It was pure torture. Itachi needed to leave before he loses his morals. His hands slightly shook as Itachi shove Sakura away, none-so-gently and then sat up while Sakura landed on the space beside him, her face etched in astonishment and fury.

"Don't be a fool, Sakura." Itachi gritted his teeth and didn't look at her when she moved beside him. "Stop tempting me."

"I'm not tempting you," Her hand touch his shoulder but Itachi shrug them off, still trying to cool his ardor without Sakura interfering and tempting him even more.

"I'm seducing you."

A breathy hiss ripped passed his lungs and through his lips as he directed his glare at Sakura. "You are seducing me?" He growled. His eyes unintentionally roved over her body and found out that he couldn't tear his gaze from her.

Sakura mutely nodded her head.

"I don't want you to leave Itachi," Sakura whispered, her surprisingly dry, red eyes watching him. "I'll do anything to make you stay with me,"

Itachi stared at her and couldn't deny the ache centered at his loins. He wanted her. Leaving would be the best option but Itachi choose to stay, just for tonight. And he would be gone by morning.

He would satisfy Sakura's desire of him staying, and in the meantime, he would have to resist her.

"Sakura," He looked seriously at her. "I will stay with you."

At first, Sakura look dumbstruck and then her eyes glaze over.

"Itachi," She whispered achingly before throwing her arms around him and bury her face on the column of his neck. Itachi's body reacted at their close proximity; his breathing became labored as Sakura's arousing smell wrapped around him.

"Itachi," She murmured his name like a litany as she straddled him, whether it be intentionally or not, but one thing is for certain. Itachi was becoming uncomfortable by their position.

Resist. He told himself. Resist.

"Take me,"

It was an unexpected command coming from her which Itachi responded with a growl of possession. His eyes becoming dark while his body strained for control.

Resist. He thought as his hands went around her, his head dipping down towards her parted lips, waiting for him to feast over them.

Leave. His mind said when finally their lips met. Their response instantaneous as their tongue and lips seek each other in hunger, as if they hadn't kiss in ages. Desire rushing through their veins as Sakura fumbled over her shirt to take it off. But Itachi stop her.

Take her. His mind finally ordered as his lust overpowered his rational thought.

Take her!

"Just take off your panties," He whispered, almost without thought before kissing her again; his hand reaching for her butt and raising her into her knees. Sakura sat on her knees, her hand behind Itachi's head as her bob to kiss him deeply and passionately while Itachi craned his neck to respond.

Their movements becoming hurried, their hands move to take off the clothing that was an impediment to the activity that they had on mind.

Sakura's other hand reach for the waist band of her panties and pulled them down, Itachi helping her to do to her other side. The scent of her arousal stung the air while Itachi curled a hand at the back of her knee to raise her feet. Their lips never parting as Sakura pulled her leg from her panties, and then the other leg while Itachi caress her naked thigh.

She felt her shirt slithered up as Itachi pushed the cumbersome garment out of the way, his callus hand immediately touching her exposed flesh, rubbing against her creamy stomach and venturing downward. A shiver of desire and anticipation went through Sakura's body; her hand clutching tightly around Itachi's head while she move her lips over his firm, sensuous lips in hunger and desperation.

She wanted this. She knew that this wouldn't last forever. She knew that he would leave tomorrow.

They both needed this. Maybe this one night would serve as a parting gift; a memory which they would cherish for the rest of their life.

"Itachi," She murmured against his lips, her eyes fluttering open to look at him.

Tell him.

"I want to tell you something,"

Itachi's movement stilled while he turn to look at her.

Tell him. Someone whispered in her mind while she moved her hand to touch the side of his face.

Tell him you love him.

Her heart squeezed painfully in her chest as she stared down at him. The sight of him made it more difficult to tell him how she feels. Even in his current state, there was no mistake that he would reject her.

Itachi would never accept her once he heard that she loved him. Where ever this might lead, she knew that he would leave immediately once the word 'love' was spoken between them. To Itachi, love could only mean one thing…. the anticipation of marriage and being chain to someone forever. Itachi would be far away before that happens.

And Sakura didn't want to lose him. So a night in his arms was inevitable. A lover for one night was worth it than taking nothing at all.

"I want you," She finally said, looking into his smoldering gaze. "I want this…. " Sakura caress his face, running her eyes over him as if memorizing every perfect arch and chiseled grooves over his handsome visage; her eyes brimming with tears as she realized that this would be the last night that she would see him.

Itachi had told her that he would stay and they both knew that it was a lie. Sakura couldn't stop him. She knew that from the beginning.

"Take me..." She whispered pleadingly, her heart was tight as she held back the tears.

Itachi just gazed at her quietly.

Hurt was an understatement, and so was pain as she closed her eyes and touch her forehead against Itachi's.

"That's all I'm asking." She said, not daring to look at him, afraid that her emotions might betray her.

"So please... don't leave me….not just yet."

Itachi's eyes flashed and Sakura was suddenly swept into his arms before he settled them in the middle of the bed. His unyielding body loomed over her as he places both his arms to support his weight on either side of her head.

Sakura became instantly nervous as his hand reached for the fly in his pants. She colored when she saw the bulge on his pants and averted her head when she heard the zipper being pulled down.

"You're afraid," She heard him say while his large callus hand turns her face towards him. Sakura met his penetrating stare.

Itachi closely regarded her. Then he stiffen, his head snapping towards the door where the puppy was scratching the wooden panel. He could sense something that Sakura couldn't.

Itachi moved with a swiftness of an assassin, and disappeared from the room, his form swallowed by the shadows as he went outside into her balcony. A mere silhouette as he stood there.

Sakura was frowned in puzzlement. "What are you doing---"

"Sakura?"

She stiffened as she heard her mother's voice right outside her bedroom door.

"Sakura dinner is ready," Her mother called. Knocking loudly on her door and scaring the puppy off. The small, cute mutt bounded towards her while Sakura bent down and reach for her discarded panties on the floor, unintentionally showing off more of her bare thighs to the silent man behind her.

"Yes, mom." She called; hurriedly pulling her panties on as she glance at Itachi who stood in the balcony. "I'll be right down,"

"Don't take too long Sakura."

"Okay mom,"

Then she heard her mother's retreating footsteps and her shoulders slumped with relief. Thank Kami that she had locked the door. If she hadn't…well, all that matters was her mother was gone.

Sakura slowly padded her way towards her open balcony and halted at the door frame. Her eyes locked into Itachi's enigmatic eyes. A cold gust of wind blew against them and Sakura wrapped her arms around herself, shivering. The desire, the heat and the promised of a night of pleasure dispersed like a shifting fog, revealing what lies within; the ugly reality and the pain.

They had almost---no, nearly lost themselves.

The silence was deafening and the tension was tangible. Sakura started to cry silently, tears fell from her eyes, nonstop.

This was it….the parting.

"Don't go," She whispered quietly, trying in vain to persuade him to stay. She dug her fingers into her arms protectively, which were wrapped around her as she contains the hurt that clench her heart. Her shoulders lifted as she exhaled; a shuddering breath to expel the lump that was lodge on her throat. "Itachi…" she steps out on the balcony, her hand reaching towards him. "Please… don't---"

"I'm leaving, Sakura." Itachi broke in, shaking his head. "I should have left you before----before anything happened."

Her hands fall to the side and she came to stop a meter away from him. The cold seeping into her feet as she stood there outside her balcony. She stared at him.

And she understands. It would be easier for her to just let him go. It was too painful if she lets him stay for a while and knowing that he would leave anytime soon. It was better if she ends it here and now.

No lingering.

Just say goodbye.

"Not yet," She whispered to the voice on her mind while she closed the distance between herself and Itachi, her bare feet making soft, crunching sound as she walked towards him.

Itachi tensed. Sakura ignored it.

"I want to give you something before you leave," She felt him stiffen, and saw the wariness that fleeted in his eyes. She tipped her head to look at him, now standing a foot apart from the stoic and dispassionate Uchiha.

"I want to give you a kiss,"

Itachi recoiled from her. His face hardened.

"Are you trying to seduce me again Sakura?" He asked quietly. His eyes still dark with desire yet it glittered dangerously.

"No," She shook her head, a sad smile grace her lips. "I'm not,"

Even if it hurts her terribly to see him leave, Sakura knew and understands that this parting had been inevitable. Itachi would have to go and Sakura would just let him go.

But first, they needed a proper closure.

"I only wanted a kiss, Itachi." She said, her eyes steady and gentle as she held his gaze. "Just one last kiss between friends."

Itachi regarded her for a thoughtful moment, noticing the sad emerald orbs that was moments ago been glazing with desire and sheer determination. And now it look bleak and dull as if the fire in them had been snuff out.

He complied. Just this once. He thought, his hand reaching forward to touch her face. For the last time. His eyes softened without him knowing as he brushed the tears away from her face. Delighting in the softness of her skin and marveling the depthless beauty of her eyes.

"Sakura," He murmured, pulling her face towards him while his other hand sifted into her pink, silky locks. "One last kiss…."

Sakura nodded her head dazedly as she leaned towards him, her hands settled on his chest while her toes lifted as she meet his lips.

"Just a kiss between friends…" she said before locking her lips with his. Their skin tingled at the first touch and then heated when Itachi tightened his hold on her and started kissing her with unrestrained passion.

She immediately tore her lips from his, her eyes dark with desire as she looked up at him. "That wasn't a kiss between friends," she pointed out breathlessly, a delicate flush dusting on her cheeks. "How can you leave me when----"

"Sakura," Itachi interrupted hoarsely.

She became silent, her heart fluttering as Itachi lean towards her.

"Just stop talking and kiss me,"

And then Itachi was pulling her into his arms, blood rushing riotously on her veins. And when she felt her body stirring in response to his sensual assault, she started to draw back but Itachi wrap his hand firmly around her neck to keep her in place.

She moans when he suckled her lower lip which was already swollen from his passionate kisses.

"I'm not satisfied with just a kiss between friends," He murmured to her as he bit and nibbled her trembling lips. "I want more."

Sakura shuddered as his hand reached and touch her, memorizing every tempting and soft but not totally matured curve that she didn't notice until now.

This was still a foreign experience to her. It was thrilling and pleasant but at the same time, frightening and depressing.

It was there one last kiss; one final kiss.

A kiss between friends

And after that, they would part. Tears and melted snow mingled on their kiss as Sakura kissed with all she has to give; her pain, her sorrow, her hope, her love and all the unexplained emotions that she had left unsaid, poured them into that single kiss and just wishes, wishes with all her heart that Itachi would understand and hope that he would find it in his heart to stay with her…and given time, love her.

She loved him so much that the word 'hurt', 'pain' nor a 'heartache' could describe how she felt at the moment. It was love that put her in that emotional distress and it was also love that made her days more worth living for when you know that there is a person our there who is more important than yourself that you would die and live for them.

Itachi was that person and it simply pains her to see him leave. It was like she was dying inside. Like a flower without the sun and fish without water, she would wither and die. Itachi was her air and she would suffocate when he leaves.

She needed him. Like the air she breathes.

Later on, Itachi was the one withdrew away and Sakura had to cling to him as her knees threatened to give way underneath her. Still dazed and with her heart pounding loudly in her ear, Sakura buried her face into Itachi's chest, rubbing her wet cheeks on his blue shirt and drowning herself into his heat.

Safety and the promise of security were in his arms but Sakura was too wise to think that it would last for long. She knew that it was only short-lived and wasn't surprise when Itachi gently pulled away.

Finally, the thing she feared arrived.

"Will you come back?" the words tore from her lips before she could stop them, desperation tinting every syllables as she look up with hope in her shimmering eyes.

She was crying but she doesn't know this.

Itachi's face was blank mask and the only emotion she saw was the narrowing of his eyes. Sakura trembled, was it the pain that clawed at her heart or the fear of his rebuke, she doesn't know, nor does she understand.

"Don't tempt anymore, Sakura." Itachi said tersely.

Sakura paled slightly as Itachi took a step back, his eyes full of condemnation.

"When I said 'I will leave', then I will leave. There's no room for any persuasion, or in your part, tempting me further and forcing me to stay. I'm not as weak as you think that you could easily entice me with your feminine wiles, even if it had worked." His eyes didn't soften one bit when silent, explicit tears fell freely from shimmering Sakura's sea foam eyes. "And when I do allow myself to be tempted, I'm not going to hold back. I'll take everything." The last statement was a warning and Sakura shivered though that didn't stop her from making a total fool of herself, again.

"I will still wait for you," She whispered and Itachi muttered something uncouth underneath his breath. It was unbecoming of him, but when there was a persistent love sick teenager involved, it would be considered.

Sakura merely watch him with nearly beseeching eyes, wanting for him to say that yes, he will come back for her. But Sakura should have expected an outright rejection.

"No,"

Instantly, her chest tightened at his word. Her eyes flickered as she stared at him and then harden with defiance.

Lifting her stubborn chin, she said: "I will wait for you," she vowed, her eyes meeting Itachi's cool orbs unwaveringly.

Itachi tighten his lips in disapproval. "Then that's your choice," he said dismissively. "I can't stop you."

Sakura bit her lips to prevent a sob from rising. She stared at him akin to shock and despair as she watched him made a imperceptible shrug of his shoulder before half-turning.

On her last desperate attempt to stop him, she took hold of his shirt.

"Itachi, I want to tell you something." She blurted out, out of desperation and sheer madness, not even aware what she was saying. "I should have told you this a long time ago and I don't want it to be too late. Itachi, I----"

"I can't stay much longer, Sakura." He said, interrupting her in the middle of her confession. Silently, Sakura's heart seems to stop. "I must go."

Her grip on his shirt loosens slightly as she could feel her limbs weakening. All her emotions vanished as her heart sunk. She suddenly felt insignificantly small and empty.

"But…..but this is important," She whispered, her mind drawing blank as she mentally shove barricades around her to block and lessen the pain.

"I don't care if it is important," He said without looking at her, his voice sounded resigned and all of a sudden, tired. "I must really leave."

If Itachi could see Sakura at the moment, he would have seen the light disappearing from her eyes, all the fire in her flickered and doused off. The hand on his shirt slowly slipped and Itachi could envisage her standing there and staring at him with a blank, solemn eyes.

He had hurt her more than he realized at his harsh words. But he couldn't take them back…… He wouldn't.

Sakura gazed at him in silence, suddenly feeling numb and then without another word, she pivoted around and swept back into her room. At the open French door, she said: "Go then. If leaving me means so much to you, then leave. It is much better if you're gone from my life than to suffer countless heart aches when you're in it."

Itachi closed his eyes when she said this, his hand clenching around the marble balustrade.

"I should have known that you would leave me again." She whispered. "Because that's all you can do since I met you. You leave, and what a fool I must have been to think that you will come back soon. I have waited for you time and time again."

It took a lot from Itachi's will power to not look at her, hearing her words was like stab of a kunai into his gut. He didn't realize that it was this painful to leave her, then he wouldn't have come and said goodbye. That would have saved them from the pain.

"But not this time," He heard her say. "Once you leave, I won't be waiting for you anymore….I'm tired." She sighed heavily in defeat and Itachi jerked around just in time to see her sliding the French door close.

"Goodbye, Itachi." Her dark orbs locking into his through the small crack between her French doors.

"Sakura," Her name rose unbidden from his lips and abruptly Itachi clamped his mouth shut. Unconsciously, he had advance on her.

Sakura stared and then sighed again, her shoulder slumping. "Itachi….just--just please leave."

Itachi regarded her morose and guarded look and understand that he was no longer a part of her life.

"And take your puppy with you," She said as the puppy came wagging innocently at her feet. Bending down, Sakura scoop the cute, black mutt into her arms, embracing it for a moment and allowing it to look her face before placing Itch outside in the cold with him.

"I don't want it," She said in a distraught voice and close the French door with finality. The puppy whimpered and began scratching the wooden panels of the closed door while Sakura pulled the curtains close, obscuring her from their views.

The puppy continued to paw at the door, flecks of snow dusted its black coated fur while Itachi stood there, uncertain. He had never felt alone and dejected in his life as he stared at the closed door, the door that would lead her to the woman who had been his constant companion when they were children until now. But he knew that nothing would be the same again. Everything had change between them when he had unwittingly kissed her.

Remorse like no other came over him.

The puppy stopped scratching the door and Itachi watched almost curiously as it trotted towards him and then sat close to his feet. The puppy fixed its black, beady eyes at him as if to say 'Since my master kicked me out, then I'm stuck with you."

They stared at each other. Deciding that the puppy couldn't possibly be left out in the cold, Itachi deposited the puppy with ease.

"It seems that you'll be coming home with me, dog." He said absently, still gazing at Sakura's door.

And to his amusement, the dog actually barks joyously while wagging its tail. Then his amusement turn into horror as the puppy leap towards his face and started licking him. Itachi made a disgusted face. Nothing had change since he had claimed the dog from the pet shop or the time when Itachi had taken from the little girl, whom Sakura had hired to look after it. His frowned only deepened as he remembered that incident. He can't believe that he had been tricked by a little girl after he had tried to coax the puppy from her but ended up being broke instead.

The dog was troublesome but Itachi would have to put up to it.

"Now I know why Sakura doesn't want you," He remarked dryly, placing a safe distance between himself and from the dogs tongue. "You slobber too much,"

The dog made a happy, energetic yelp as if it understood his words and was agreeing to it.

Taking one final glimpse of the shadow behind the curtain, Itachi launched himself on the roof top with the puppy still barking excitedly in his arms. If he wasn't careful, someone might see him due to puppy's irritating noise.

He stood there on the rooftop, the moonlit throwing shadows over his tall form before leaping forward, the shadows instantly cloaking him, but the barking of the puppy could be heard.

The chapter between him and Sakura was closed. It was time to move on and begin a new one.

The moment he turns around and disappeared into the night, the curtain behind the close French doors shifted as a pale, feminine hand reached and flap it aside. A pair of luminescent eyes peered out into the drizzle of snow towards the direction where he had disappeared.

And night after tearful night, the same thing would occur. The shifting of the shadows, the sliding of the curtain and the same pair of emerald eyes would peer out, foolishly expecting and waiting for her love to return.

It had been a lie when she had told him that she would never wait for him. But she did. Even if she tried, she would still wait for him. And as the years flew by, the man who left her never did return. Then one day, the seventeen year old girl was also gone.

There was no light behind the close curtain, no movement from within and the furnishing, which was the same setting, remain untouched. Cob webs dangled from the corner of the ceiling and dust gathered over the unused furniture.

It has been long time since a warm presence stirred the stillness within the room.

A long time since a girl had climbed on that bed and cried herself to sleep, regretting everything she had done and couldn't do when the man she loves walked out from her life.

And a long time since the curtain would flap open and a pair of empty eyes would peer into the night.

A long time since she had waited and a long time for him to return…..

A long time……

THE END

If you have something to say to me then feel free to voice out your opinions.

I'm also disappointed with myself of how this turns out.

To those who are expecting to have a huge lemon in here. I'm really sorry to disappoint you. (Evil grin)