Disclaimer: Naruto © Kishimoto Masashi

A/N: Hello, and thank you for reading my FanFic. The information in here might not be completely accurate, seeing as I haven't seen Naruto since . . . last summer. So if you're reading this and going, "What? This never happened!", I'm very sorry. But I hope you enjoy, anyway.

"Pl-please . . . don't leave me . . ."

I was on my knees, begging him to stay, clinging on his sleeve like Velcro, completely oblivious of the war around us. I didn't hear the metal kunai clash against each other. I didn't notice the bodies falling to the ground, never to get up again. I didn't feel the red droplets fall on my face. Nothing else mattered—just us.

He stared back at me, emotionless. His red eyes bore into mine, exhibiting nothing except pity.

"Please . . . stay . . . just for a little longer . . ."

He said nothing.

"Please . . ."

The tears streaming down my face blended in with the falling rain. Look, I wanted to say. The heavens are crying for us.

"I'm begging you . . . stay . . ."

"I can't." His voice—deep and velvety—was cold, unapologetic, blunt. It hurt. He was leaving me. Forever.

"Please . . . I'll do anything . . . just stay . . ."

"Let go." His voice raised the hairs on the back of my neck.

"N-no . . . you-you'll leave me . . ."

"Kaede."

M-my name . . . why . . . why does he say it so coldly . . . ?

"You . . . you never loved me . . . did you?" My body trembled as realization struck. I . . . I was the one who caused this. This war . . . it was my fault. If I hadn't been so easily fooled . . . none of this . . . none of this would have happened . . .

I searched his face, frantically looking for some sort of joke. He was joking, right? This war . . . this was all some dream. Any second now, I'd wake up, safely snuggled in his arms. I waited for the birds outside my window to start chirping the start of a new day, for the sunlight to hit my face, warm and inviting.

It didn't come.

"You . . . used me." I fell back on my heels, his sleeve still firmly grasped between my fingers. "I was your pawn."

He said nothing to deny it.

"You . . . you knew I would fall in love with you . . . you knew I would give you anything . . . even the Hokage's plans . . ."

I didn't dare look at his face.

"You knew how much I could love someone . . . you knew I would sacrifice anything for the one I loved . . ."

Tears started falling faster.

"I gave you my heart . . . was-was that not enough? Was there something else I couldn't provide . . .?"

A bitter laugh escaped my lips, mingling with the tears.

"I'm such a fool . . ."

His warm lips fell upon mine. Eyes closed, I desperately kissed back, trying to make him see how much I needed him. But no matter much I clung onto him, be broke away.

"I'm sorry."

A small smile came on my lips, the very ones he had kissed only moments before.

". . . kun. Itachi-kun . . ."

I was feeling light-headed.

". . . I love you . . ."

I passed out.