chapter 27

When I woke up in the morning. Itachi was still asleep. His hands curled around my waist. I smiled while looking at his sleeping face. His eyes were closed, hiding his two black pearls and he was snoring softly. Itachi looks so peaceful while sleeping. My fingers moved to touch the stress-line on his face slowly, not wanting to wake him up.

God, my love for him was overwhelming.

Itachi's eyes opened slowly. "...Good morning" he said in a low-hoarse voice, typical of people just waking up.

"Good morning" I couldn't help but smile. "Did I wake you?"

"...No, but let me sleep another 5 minutes" he muttered and closed his eyes again. Itachi's hand moved to pull me closer to him and he buried his face in my neck. I felt my face heating up.

"I thought you were a morning person" I giggled and stroked his hair softly.

"I'm a morning person" Itachi let out a low laugh. "This time it's an exception. I haven't slept comfortably in a long time"

My heart throbbed in pain. He was tormented even in his sleep. I continued stroking his hair slowly, letting him sleepa little longer according to his request.

5 minutesde promised, Itachi woke up. "For the first time in my life, I didn't want to get out of bed"

I giggled. "Come on, Itachi. I have to prepare breakfast"

Itachi hummed softly before finally getting up. "Did you have a nightmare last night?"

"No" I shooked my head. "Thanks to you, I guess"

"That's good" Itachi said before leaving my room, giving me time to get ready.

I took a towel and went into my bathroom. I stole a glance at the mirror and felt ashamed to see my wild hair after waking up. Sometimes I wonder, why do men still look attractive without any effort while we have to try so hard?

This day seemed to pass quickly. Itachi wasn't on any mission and we spent a lot of time together. There are other members too, but I don't mind. It feels good.

The sun has already set, but Deidara and Hidan are still fighting excitingly. Sasori, Kisame, Kakuzu, Itachi and I watched from afar. Not long after, Deidara and Hidan approached us, sighed exhaustedly.

They discussed about the match earlier and I healed their minor injuries. This kind of training is good because the members can pay attention to the other members' way of fighting, and can judge their strengths and weaknesses which will be useful in future battles."Let's go back to the hideout" Kakuzu said and we agreed.

Hidan and Deidara race to hideout. Kakuzu, Kisame and Sasori were still discussing about the match, leaving Itachi and I who walked the last.

Itachi didn't say anything, but he held my hand. I lowered my head, hiding the blush on my cheeks.

"Today is a great day" Itachi started. I nodded. "You're right"

"I want to spend more time with you"

"M.. Me too" I quickly looked away, embarrassed by how fast my heart was beating.

"Then, let's do it" Itachi smiled briefly before approaching the others and letting them know that we were going to the village to provide for some 'supplies'.

We parted ways with them and Itachi grabbed my hand again as we walked. Soon, we arrived at a big lake. The surface is calm and reflects the moonlight above it.

"It's a beautiful place" I said."Yeah. I come here often and want to show it to you" Itachi replied. He took off his shoes and rolled his pants up to his knees before sitting down by the lake and dipping his feet.

"Isn't it cold?" I asked.

"A little" Itachi answered. "But this is convenient"

I decided to join him, flinched when my feet met the cold lake water. There's a silence between us for a long seconds while we look at the beautiful view before us. Fireflies flying around the lake, making this place look magical.

"Sarah" Itachi looked at me and smiled. "You're... the first person who's made me feel like I deserve to be happy. To be loved"

"Glad to be that person" I smiled back at him then felt something fall into my lap. My necklace. I immediately took the necklace and looked at the crescent shaped pendant. "Thank God it didn't fall into the water!"

"Something valuable??" Itachi asked.

"This belongs to my father, I found it while tidying up my father's things after my parents' funeral" a sad smile plasteredon my lips. "I consider it a legacy from him"

Itachi shifted closer to me. "Let me help you" he took the necklace in my hand, gently moves my hair from my back and puts the chain around my neck. I felt him fumbling with the latch which tickled my neck and my heart beats rapidly.

"It's done" Itachi said.

"... Thank you" I smiled at him and he smiled back. Our eyes met.

"Saeah..." Itachi tucked a strand of my hair behind my ear. "...I love you" he whispered.

I felt my eyes begin to well with tears and my heart race even more quickly. A tidal wave of emotion pour out through me, all of the worry, pain and hope. It all came at this moment. I could hardly believe what I'd just heard.

𝐻𝑒 𝑙𝑜𝑣𝑒𝑠 𝑚𝑒.

"I... love you too" the words felt foreign when I said it.

Itachi pulled me to his chest, using his strong arms to wrap me in a hug. I closed my eyes and I felt a smile spread across my cheeks as he used his hand to cup theback of my head.

"Sarah" I heard Itachi's voice tremble. "I'm sorry"

"Sorry for what?" I questioned. I let go of his hug and looked at his eyes. His red eyes.

"...Sharingan!" I whispered before it all went dark.

Itachi returned to the hideout carrying Sarah who was unconscious. He layed Sarah on her bed after taking off her shoes, then pulled the blanket up over her. Itachi sighed and tapped her forehead.

"I'm sorry and... goodbye, Sarah". His cheeks were wet with tears. In a shaky voice, he mumbled quitely, "This is... the last time™

Itachi came out from Sarah's room and found Kisame leaning against the wall.

"What did you do to her?" Kisame asked.

"...I put her under my genjutsu. Don't worry, she will wake up when everything is... over"We're in a beautiful and sad relationship

***

𝑊𝑒 𝑀𝑎𝑘𝑒 𝐸𝑎𝑐ℎ 𝑂𝑡ℎ𝑒𝑟 𝑆𝑚𝑖𝑙𝑒

𝐿𝑖𝑘𝑒 𝑇ℎ𝑒 𝑀𝑜𝑜𝑛 𝐴𝑛𝑑 𝑅𝑖𝑣𝑒𝑟

𝐴𝑛𝑑 𝑊𝑒 𝐻𝑢𝑔 𝐴𝑔𝑎𝑖𝑛