Ai (Uchiha Itachi Love Story)

Riverside

Ai's POV

I have no idea how long have I not seen him. He's nowhere to be found. It's not like I avoided him on purpose, but whenever he's in the hideout, he didn't even came out of the room. Never again did he sit on the terrace coughing himself to death like he used to.

But actually, that made me worry more.

He is someone who has the ability to endure impossible things just for the sake of not getting anyone to worry. I don't know if I should approach him again or not.

Kisame came out of his room and stared at me for a second before asking, "what are you doing in front of Itachi's room?"

I had a little doubt inside me, but I really need to know what happened with him. "Do you have time right now? I need to talk about something."

We sat inside a small japanese café with ocha and dango on the table between us. Somehow Kisame looked as if he already knew what am I about to ask. I took a sip on my ocha before I finally ask. "What actually happened with Itachi?"

He sighed, "I really shouldn't be doing this-"

"Please tell me. You know I'll not do anything bad to him."

"It'd be easier if you actually do. I suppose you already know that he has a little brother, don't you?"

I nodded.

Kisame grunted and murmured, "I really shouldn't be doing this."

"I actually didn't know much before, but since I've been with Itachi for a long time right now. I believe, this is just what I think because of his actions these days, he plans on getting himself killed by his brother."

My heart almost stop beating when I heard that. "Wha-what did you say? It's a little noisy here. I couldn't hear what you said."

"He wants to be killed by Sasuke."

I chuckled a bit, "it's very noisy here, isn't it? I really couldn't hear what you said. Could you plea-"

"I said, he wants to be killed by his little brother! You heard me well! Stop denying it! I don't want to believe it either but it's the truth!"

I could feel warm liquids streaming down on my face. My head is going blank and my heart feels like it's going to burst. "B-but why-"

"I don't know about it either. Don't tell Itachi that I told you about this. I also don't want him to die like that. Even though he's my partner in a criminal organization, he's already like a friend to me. But I couldn't do anything against his will."

"Do you know when will that happen?" I asked him.

He looked doubtful before he finally answered,

"Two weeks from now."

I have been walking around Amegakure for hours now. My whole body is tired. I am soaked and I couldn't even feel my legs right now. It's cold, but I don't want to go back to the hideout.

Kisame's words have been going through my mind over and over again. Two weeks. What can I do in two weeks?

Sometimes I wonder how can I even have this kind of feelings toward him. I got a little choked up even when someone just mentioned his name. His very presence confuses me. Every little thing reminds me of him. At first, I thought maybe it's because I have known him for a long time already. But now I don't think that's the reason anymore. I used to not know what friends supposed to be like. So I thought maybe this is what friends suppose to be like. Me and him. Friends. But then I hung out with Kisame and sometimes with Sasori. That's where I got the concept of being friends. When Sasori died, I felt kinda sad. But not enough to make me feel this way. For goodness' sake he's not even dead yet and here I am feeling this much of remorse just knowing that he will leave me. Where is my cold-hearted old self?

Maybe I should just find the answer now that he's standing before me.

Itachi's POV

I walk along the riverside on the border of Amegakure. The rain is pouring down without mercy. My mind is empty. And I have never let my mind being empty like this. But now, I don't even feel like thinking about any kind of thing. Even the simplest one.

But then a name pops out on my head.

Ai

My chest suddenly hurts. I have denied it more than a thousand times already and I know, the only reason I haven't fought Sasuke is her. I couldn't bear to imagine that she'll get hurt. I love her so much, too much that I couldn't handle it myself. She is the only reason that has been holding me back from what I have planned for years. Even the picture of leaving this world and not be able to see her scares me. How will I able to survive without her presence?

I have been avoiding her these days. It's not at the least bit easy. And obviously, it's not because I want to. I think letting her get tired of me and hate me would be easier. Both for me and for her.

I will be gone,

and she wouldn't mind.

Suddenly a figure is standing a couple of meters before me. Her hair is drenched and her cloak is soaked. Her face is also all wet but somehow it looks as if it's not because of rain.

She walks toward me. Her lips curve into a smile. But she looks sad. And for goodness' sake I would throw myself to hell just so I could run into her right now. Yet I couldn't because hell itself knows that if I do that right now, I'll just break everything I've done for her until now.

"Why are you out here in the rain? You know it's not good for your health."

Her hand reaches into my face, but just before it touches my cheek, she pulls it back.

I look deep into her eyes. They are red and swollen. She cried. And knowing the fact that she just cried breaks my chest.

"I told you that you should take care of yourself," she said while she grabs my right hand. "See, you're cold."

"Why are you out here?" I ask her.

"I was...out. Needed some fresh air but ended up got caught in the rain. Perks of living here, huh?" She lets out a small laugh. It sounds bitter even to my ear.

"We should go back," I said as I turn around.

She suddenly hugs me from the back. My heart almost stops as she does that. "Can we stay here just a little longer?"

I can hear her sob between the rain. She tries so hard to cover it up but I can still hear it clearly.

"I-I don't understand why am I being like this, Itachi. I shouldn't even care this much. But knowing that you're trying to kill yourself alone kills me. I know that I shouldn't even feel this way but thinking that one day I have to live without being able to see you scares me. It scares me so much I couldn't even bear to imagine it. I know what you're trying to do. And I also know that I have no right to stop you from doing it. But if you could at least consider my words even just for a little bit, please stop what you're doing right now. Even if the whole world sees you as a heartless guy who deserves to die, please keep in mind that I want you to live. What should I do to change your mind?"

Her words stab me like a knife. Please, please don't do this to me. 'If you say it, then I won't be able to hold myself anymore.'

"I love you, Itachi. I love you so much that I'm losing myself like this. I will do anything that you ask of me, so plea-"

Her sentence got cut off as I push my lips into hers. I lost. I couldn't stop myself anymore. She means the world to me. I know I'm being selfish as I do this. But as painful as it is, I kiss her like her lips were air and I couldn't breathe. It feels like a blissful little sparks that end up burning our bodies into ashes. Her lips make me forget the world for a moment and that's exactly what I need. It feels like time has stopped, yet it feels like the shortest eternity ever. I'm afraid that I could savor the taste of her soul if this lasts a little longer

As I open my eyes, I can see tears streaming down her face. She opens her eyes and stares into mine. I wipe her tears and step back.

"Goodbye, Ai"

The last thing I hear from her before I left was her choked up voice calling out to my name.