chapter 21

At some point, I woke up and found myself on my bed. I looked at my body and saw that I'm covered in bandages. I can't remember how I got here and how they found me, but I'm glad they did. I didn't know how many hours, or maybe days, have passed at all.

My bedroom door opened and I saw Itachi in the doorway. He was stunned for a moment before rushing towards me. "You're awake. Do you need something?"

"W... Water" I answered in a hoarse voice.

Itachi quickly grabbed the glass filled with water beside my bed and pointed the straw at my mouth.

"Thank you..." I said after drinking a few sips of water. "How long have I been unconscious?"

"Three days" he answered. "How are you feeling?"

"Barely alive" I joked, but Itachi didn't laugh. Then, I realized that he has leaned over me.

"Are you sure that you're okay?" He asked worriedly. I smiled to myself, he was always serious.

"Yeah... I will recover soon" I reassured him.

Itachi breathed a sigh of relief. "...That's good". He took a chair, placed it next to my bed and sat on it.

"Is it you who found me?" I asked.

Itachi nodded in response and I smiled at him. "Thank you"

"I should have come sooner" he said, his forehead creased.

"It's okay. I'm grateful that you found me" Itachi hesitated for a moment, then he took my hand gently.

"What are you doing?" I asked, cheeks growing dark.

He saw his hand that was holding mine, and the corners of his lips are slightly raised. He smiled. At that time, something inside me wanted to make him smile more often.

"Holding your hand" Itachi answered.

"I... I know" My heart was beating so loud, I could hear each beat. I wondered if he could hear it too. "I mean... Why did you do that??"

"To be honest, I don't know why either, but this just feels right"

I blushed, refused to respond him. Seriously, didn't he understand that his words have a big effect on a girl's feelings??

"Sarah" he said. "I'm sorry. Everything that happened to you is my fault" his voice was filled with guilt.

"Don't say that" I replied. "I never blame you"

"If only I had never told you to leave, none of this would have happened"

I smiled at him. "Then, don't tell me to leave again"

Itachi looked at me intently. "Never"

We both fell silent, but this time it didn't feel awkward. The silence was comfortable. Itachi's hand still held mine. I dreamed that his big hands were always holding mine, but I can't go on living in the dream.

"Itachi?"

"Hmm?" he hummed in response.

"Your hand is still holding mine" Ireminded him.

"I know" he said. "And you're holding it back"

"Of course" I giggled. "I don't know when an opportunity like this will come again, so now I won't waste it"

Itachi didn't say anything. He just stared at our linked hands, as if it's the most attractive thing in the world.

"Is there something on your mind?" I asked.

"I've always wondered... Why do you fall in love with me?" he asked me back. His voice shrank at the end of his question.

I stunned when I heard his question, but then I gave him a soft smile. "Do you really want to know?"

He nodded, and I sighed.

"Fine, I'll tell you why" I looked into his eyes earnestly. "I love you because you're you. As simple as that"

Itachi looked down. "But I'm... not worthy to be loved"

"Everyone deserves to be loved"

"I'm not whole"

"Itachi, listen" I looked at him in the eyes. "You're my moon"

"... Your moon?"

"Yes. Sometimes the moon is crescent shaped. Sometimes semicircular. Sometimes it's full moon"

Itachi stared at me, waiting for me to continue my words.

"Whatever the shape of the moon, I still love it. I'll keep loving you even when you're incomplete" I continued.

Itachi's pearl-like black eyes never left mine. "... And you're my sun. All this time, I lived in darkness. Then, you came" Itachi smiled at me. That smile. I love seeing him smiling. "You're so bright. Makes me feel alive. You know, humans can't live without the sun, and I'm human"

If someone could have died from being too happy, I would be dead by now.

"But, Sarah..." Itachi looked away. "You know that the sun and the moon... could never be together"My feeling that had flown, suddenly fell. "What do you mean?" I asked.

"We... can't be together"

I hold back my tears "...Why?"

Itachi closed his eyes. "I promise I'll explain it to you, but not now. Please be patient until that time comes"

"...Promise?"

"Promise" Itachi linked our little finger. "Now I'll let the other members know that you are awake"

"Wait, Itachi...?"

"Hm?"

"Do you..." I hesitated before continuing my question. "...love me??"

Itachi inhaled deeply, his facial features turning softer with every passing second. He just smiled at me and got up.

I grabbed the hem of his cloak. "My answer"

Itachi turned at me and tapped my forehead with his fingers. "This is your answer"He gave me a meaningful look before leaving my room. I touched my forehead. What does he mean??

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