Ai (Uchiha Itachi Love Story)

Warmth

chapter 7.

Ai's POV

It has been months since I left for a mission with Itachi. Pain gave us an order to search informations of the tailed beast. Kisame didn't come with us, he has another mission to accomplish. I really wish he's here to clear up the tension between me and Itachi right now.

Yes. Me and Itachi. He is still in his 'silent mode' since 5 days ago. Since I did risk my life in order to see the three tailed beast with my own eyes. And, the worst part is, the three tailed was aware of an intruder(a.k.a me) and reacted. It almost killed me if Itachi did not jumped out to the lake and pulled me out.

"Why did you insist on seeing it on your own?! We almost died if I didn't pull you out in time!"

"Well, I could've die alone. I didn't remember asking you for help! I almost got it!"

"You were not! You almost ran out of chakra and if I...if I didn't come in time, I don't know what will happen to you! You made me died a thousand deaths when I know you're inside that lake!"

"I didn't remember asking you to die all over again because of me, Itachi. I did not ask you for anything! Why are you saving me again? Why?!"

"Because....I don't know. I just panicked and...urgh you are so frustrating, you know."

Then, he left. It took me a whole night just to find him. He was throwing his kunai to the trees. I have never seen him this upset before. I never knew he was the 'burst-out in anger' type. I thought he was someone who's always in control of his emotions. He was staring at me with his onyx eyes but it looked even more intimidating than when he used his sharingan. I could see his emotions running across his eyes that day.

Itachi stopped walking and turned his head back to face me. "Let's stop doing this."

"what?" What did he say?

"Look, I'm sorry. I didn't mean to underestimate you that day. I promise I will never interfere your fights again. I'm not going to make you feel like you owe me again," he continued walking.

Cold. That was cold. His pair of sharingan was the coldest pair of eyes I have ever seen looking at me. I didn't know he could act this cold. And by the way, what did he mean by 'feel like I owe him again'? I didn't mean it that way. Actually, I didn't mind him saving my life. I was just upset and throwing out words I didn't mean. The thing is, I was worn out and he yelled at me. That's all. I just hate to be scolded like that. It reminds me to my 'mother'.

I walked behind him. His cloak, his shoulder, his low ponytail black hair feels so far from me. It makes me feel like I'm catching on to something I will never get. Frustrating. Sickening. No, no! I don't want him to go much further!

I run to him and pull his cloak. I could feel his muscles tense when I pulled him. He didn't turned his head for a moment, but then he took a glance at me.

"No," I said. Hopelessly.

"What do you mean?" he asked me. Still with his cold pair of sharingan staring at me.

"It wasn't about owing you my life. Not at all. Just please, please stop acting like this. Don't stop interfering my fights. Don't stop jumping in when I'm drowned. Don't underestimate me but don't overestimate me either. Please stop staring at me with your cold pair of sharingan." I spit it out to him. I can't let him do this to me.

"You said you don't want me to help you."

I frown. He's right. But, "no. I was just upset. It should be me saying sorry to you. Not you. I know you were just trying to help."

He sighs and finally turned around to face me. "You really are so frustrating. Now, I don't even know what to say to you anymore," he cupped my face and look deeply into my eyes. "Don't. Ever. Do. That. Again."

My face heated up as he said those words. What is it? Why am I blushing over those silly five words? I bet he could feel the heat on his hands. I drifted my eyes from him. Trying to calm myself down.

"You look like you were not actually mad at me," I said. He smirked and let go of my face. "well, honestly I wasn't."

"What were you trying to do then?"

"I was just worried as hell. And I know you didn't mean to say those words to me. I've forgive you long before you said sorry,"

What? How did he know I didn't mean that?

"How do you know I didn't mean that? We haven't talk much since I said it."

He laughed a bit and walked again. "You said it in your sleep."

My eyes widen in shocked. I said things when I sleep? How? I didn't even know about that until now. What else did I say in my sleep? This is embarrassing. I need to ask him about it.

"When I sleep? Crap. What else did I say when I sleep?" I asked him. He turned his head and frown, "girls shouldn't say bad words. Stop your bad habit now."

"Just forget about that for now. What else did I say?" I demand to know. I can't let myself say things again.

He smirked a bit, "secret."

Third Person's POV

The night came and moon has already risen into its highest place. Itachi and Ai decided to take a rest. They found a small abandoned cabin in the forest. "Let's go there," Ai said and they spent their night there.

Itachi decided to guard at night so Ai can sleep. He is not a sleeping person, so it is an easy task for him to spent his night full on guard.

The girl beside him already fell asleep as soon as they arrived there. After spending months together with her, Itachi knows her habit of sleeping whenever she can. And he likes to see her sleep. Her face shows a peaceful expression and her lips always quirked up a bit. She looks like she's smiling in her sleep. Sometimes, she talks about things Itachi would never imagine she's thinking.

Don't leave me, Itachi. Please stay. Those words are still echoing in the Uchiha's head since she said it in her sleep. He couldn't help but smile whenever he remember it. The thought of someone treasures his presence leave a slight warmth in his heart.

Suddenly, a soft grasp landed on his hand. He immediately turned his head to see what is it. A pale white hand grasping his hand, refusing to let him go, and the most important thing is that hand belongs to the girl he cared the most in the world.

Yes, he cares about her so much. So much that he could realize it himself. He was not a man who take everything emotionally. But this, he can't deny it. He doesn't want to leave her even for a single bit. All the things he said earlier was just a mere bait for her to realize her mistakes. He almost died a thousand deaths when she jumped into the lake to approach the three tailed beast. He was a man with a cool head to solve everything but not that time. Not when she jumped out and risked her life like that.

Itachi caresses her cheek softly, tugging a couple of her hair strands behind her ear. He always feel this kind of warmth whenever she's around. And he has never felt this before. He has never felt anything in his heart since the slaughter tragedy. This kind of warmth in his heart is a different kind of warmth he felt when he was with his brother. It was a brotherly love. But what is this one? He has not found his answer yet.

The sound of the night birds cuckoos accompany him for the night. He doesn't know why but he couldn't help himself from kissing her forehead right now. His lips formed a smile after he kissed her forehead.

"Good night."