A/N: It's my first fanfiction ever. I have written it a while ago but hesitated before posting it. I hope you will enjoy this little piece.

Disclaimer: Sadly but Naruto isn't mine. The only profit I make from this is the pleasure of reviews ^_^

He didn't know how it started. It might be the day when he first saw her tears.

He knew that her heart wasn't his. And it will never be. But still he held her.

She didn't know when it happened. When her relationship with ANBU Captain has turned this way. When their banters and sarcastic remarks started to mean so much more.

He was her rock. How many times would she be broken if not for those hands holding her.

She cried. She cried for the lives she couldn't save. For the friends she will never see again. For being so weak and useless. And all this time he was there. She looked at him, at those beautiful eyes that held nothing but warmth. And then she cried again. For him and for all the things she couldn't let go.

Today was different. Today he was going to lose her. A man that held her heart was coming back. Welcomed as a hero that killed two of Konoha's archenemies. Uchiha Sasuke. He wondered how many of her tears were for him. How many times he saved her from the sorrow this man left? He watched a tall figure approach the gates his blonde friend running to meet him. He watched how beautiful she was with last rays of sunshine dying on her hair turning its color to flames. Flames that burned him so much that it hurt to even look at her now. The man approached her with outstretched hands…and then he left. He could see no more of this. He knew that images of their embrace would haunt his dreams no matter what.

Today was different. She dreamed of this day so many times over the last years that she was sure how everything must happen. And yet there she was, standing in front of the man whom she loved all those years and felt nothing. No tears of joy came, no cries of happiness. She stood in front of him and watched how he outstretched his hands to embrace her. She listened to his quiet murmurs of apologies and love, and knew that she will never return them. She looked him in the eyes and knew her answer. She held onto the memories of her first love for so long that she hadn't even noticed when this very love has turned to a mere memory. There was nothing left of the feelings those onyx eyes stirred within her soul. One day they stopped haunting her dreams and now, when she closed her eyes, she only saw white gentle gaze…and then she ran.

There was no one to witness the quiet encounter in the back garden of the Hyuuga compound. She stood in front of him and watched emotions running across his unusually unguarded face. Surprise. Confusion. And then, when her arms were thrown around his neck, lips barely touching. Understanding. And finally smile. No words were exchanged that night. Her lips on his skin said how she needed him. His hands on her body said that he would never let her go.

Sunshine slowly filled the room, two pairs of eyes following the way of golden rays. They laid quietly marveling in the feeling of each others skin, enjoying the new closeness between them. He caressed her back and she listened to his steady heartbeat. First time in years everything seemed right. Room was filled with the sounds of their breathing. There would be time for words but the only thing that mattered now was:

"I love you." both of them whispered as one.

It's short but it's only the beginning.

Please read and review =))