Our Reflection in Each Other's Eyes.

Chapter 44: Please don't leave

As soon as Itachi finished telling Kyoko that Sasuke was leaving, she hurriedly bowed to him before she excused herself and ran toward the village entrance.

The longer portions of her skirt flapped against the front of her thighs as she ran. She shouted apologizes to the villagers she nearly ran into as she continued her way.

The compound was on the complete opposite side of the entrance to the village which only stressed Kyoko out even more.

Please still be here. She repeated in her mind as she ran faster than she ever had.

The entrance was now within view. She could see Kakashi's back as well as Sakura's. Outside, Naruto walked in their direction with his hands in his pockets.

Kakashi and Sakura turned to look for the source of the running they heard behind them, to see Kyoko's stressed expression.

"Did he leave? Is he gone?" She asked, her voice cracking as she did.

Kakashi offered an apologetic look with his visible eye. Sakura too looked at Kyoko sadly.

"I'm sorry, he asked us not to tell you he was leaving because he thought it would be best." Kakashi spoke.

Naruto reached the two and immediately his expression changed.

"If you run now I'm sure you can make it to him." Sakura spoke.

"I agree. I think he really needs to see you." Naruto spoke.

I nodded at the suggestion of the two before sprinting past them.

"Do you think she'll come back?" Naruto asked behind her.

I didn't stay to hear what anyone responded to him as I continued running.

I ran past dozens of trees hoping he was somewhere still on this path.

I couldn't help but curse myself out for choosing to not see him sooner. For not seeing him when the war ended and for allowing things to escalate to this point.

I've been a terrible girlfriend to him.

Am I even still his girlfriend?

My chest hurt at the thought, but I continued running. I was determined to get to him.

I ran until I saw a figure walking away from me.

"Sasuke!" I screamed as loud as I could, "Sasuke please don't leave me!" I cried.

He turned and as soon as I saw his face I fell to my knees in tears.

"Please don't leave me." I cried.

I was crying harder than I ever have.

"Please don't leave me again!"

There was a good distance between the two of us. I couldn't bring myself to stand up and walk the rest of it, being only able to cry out to him.

He ran to me and nearly pushed me onto the floor with the force of his hug.

I cried even harder as I held onto him so tightly it would surely break him if I were stronger.

I could feel him crying onto my shoulder as he too squeezed me in his arms.

"I'm so sorry Kyoko. Please forgive me for all the pain I caused you."

My words stuck to my throat, unable to make their way past my lips.

He slightly pulled away from the hug to look me directly in the eyes.

"You have no idea how much I needed to see you." He said with tears still streaming down his face.

"When Naruto told me you were alive I didn't believe him. I just had to see you for myself and now I still can't believe it." He slightly chuckled.

I messily wiped my tears.

"Itachi-San's reaction confirmed things for me," I paused, "this whole time I thought you knew I was alive. I...I thought you had abandoned me."

"I'm sorry," He breathed as he pulled me back into his chest, "I shouldn't have let myself be fooled so easily."

"I...if I would've believed Karin and the others I would have come to you. I was just...angry? Sad? I was feeling so much all at once I just didn't know what to do."

Sasuke nodded his head and cupped the sides of my face to wipe my tears with his thumbs. I did the same for him, realizing he was doing everything in his ability to not let go of me, as if I would vanish into thin air right in front of him.

"I guess that since I knew you were in the village I was comfortable being stubborn about seeing you, since I figured you couldn't really go anywhere. But now...well now you planned on leaving me."

He downcast his eyes.

"I planned on returning I promise you. Truthfully, I was afraid of saying goodbye and I still am." He said as he turned his gaze back up to mine.

"I'm afraid, well because I don't want to say goodbye. I would want to bring you with me, but-"

"Then bring me with you." I interrupted him, "I'll go with you."

"No, you don't understand. I did some really terrible things and I still don't even know how to feel about Konoha. Leaving is my way of feeling like I'm somehow redeeming myself. My actions have nothing to do with you."

"What do you mean they have nothing to do with me? I'm just as guilty as you are. I'm surprised Lady Tsunade even let me be here. I invaded Konoha during your chunnin exams. I also invaded Konoha when Pain attacked. I was with you throughout your desire to bring Konoha to pieces, being an accomplice of yours. I need as much redemption as you do."

"You should stay. I need you to stay here because it's safe. This place can be the home you always longed for when you were younger. Maybe this village and especially Naruto," he chuckled a bit, "maybe they can heal the broken pieces within you that I can't reach."

Stray tears streamed down my face.

"I can't stay here. It won't feel like home without you. I want to stay with you Sasuke. You...you feel like home to me."

He cupped my face to turn my gaze upward to connect with his. He kissed my lips gently, the saltiness of both our tears finding it's way in between.

It felt like I was kissing him for the first time all over again as butterflies filled my stomach.

He cut the kiss to lean our foreheads against one another's, noses touching lightly. His hands still on the sides of my face, thumbs gently rubbing the sides of it.

It felt like eternity waiting for him to utter a word to me. The breeze rustling the leaves ushered one of us to speak until finally the sharp intake of his breath exhaled a few words.

"Ok..." he nearly whispered, "will you come with me?"

"Yes, of course."

He smiled before placing a gentle kiss on my lips.

He stood up, helping me soon after.

As the two of us walked away I wondered aloud how to tell the others I would be joining him on his journey.

He only responded saying that he's sure everyone would already know.

We continued down the path, hand in hand offering each other gentle squeezes as to make sure the other was truly still there.