It was raining. The autumn came slowly to Konoha, bringing its joys- well, they weren't really all that joyful. They could be quite the opposite- especially now, with Konoha at its current state...
The issue was that most ninjas were on vacation, and a long one at that. This was because there were no pressing matters to attend to.
Believe it or not, ninjas actually found themselves bored. After the last war when they killed a great majority of Akatsuki members, the missions dropped to a steady stream of C ranks, and it consisted mostly of, if you happened to get lucky, escorting some rich noble to protect them from local robbers, and that was about it. Other missions pertained of stupid things like cleaning the water filters or visiting with allied nations...
So, as time moved on, it was, for the most part, peaceful in Konohagakure. Everyone continued their lives away from demanding work, some finding their lifetime companion, some already in love... and yet, some were still discontented, trying to find their own piece of happiness in this world.
Her look was distant. Sitting atop Hokage Mountain, she combed her hair with her fingers. Her thoughts were jumbled because she was thinking about a hundred things at a time, and every single one of them depressed her more and more.
So much time has passed, things have changed... If someone told her in the past that it was going to be like this, she would never have believed them. Konoha transformed so much. During the war, they were attacked a couple of times, and the village suffered a lot, so it had to be renovated, and on top of that, the villagers changed as well, her friends most of all... Her gaze fell to her best friend down below.
Ino... She was like a different person now. All grown up and still very beautiful, but with her hair cut low. She was now one of the best medics in the whole world, and on top of that, she had always been a great ninja, too. She is officially called Ino Nara, having been married for about three years now with Shikamaru, and they even have a little bundle of joy they call Maya Nara. She's going to be the pride of her village, she can tell... But even with her child and husband, Ino still finds the time to call her Forehead, not to forget that she's still pestering her for her great success in life, and most of all taking over her job. "Like that matters," she chuckled.
She spotted a little boy playing with Maya and instantly knew who was it. It didn't matter the distance between her and the people below; she always knew how to recognize the ones she cared about.
Little Miko... he was so cute, always so shy and tacit, making as little noise as he could so that he wouldn't stand out too much amid others. That's right; he was same as his father.
Neji... He too managed to achieve so much. He was now an ANBU member, strong, calculated, and with a powerful motive to come back home. His every mission was a success. He married Tenten, as it was presumed, and they had Miko, who was their happiness. The boy too had a curse cast upon him like Neji, but it didn't matter because he accepted his destiny. It didn't make a difference whether or not he possessed the curse because his life was beautiful. Lee was his best friend, even if it seemed like they were rivals. In the end, they had been together for as long as anybody could remember. "You deserve it, Neji."'
Suddenly, her ex -teammate appeared to her sights, clumsy as he's ever been.
Naruto... Oh boy, was he living a good life. He mastered his final technique, with his father's help, of course, and when he defeated Pain, everyone in the village loved him no matter how old they were. He was their hero. He suffered a lot throughout his life, and now he has it all. He was engaged to Hinata, and soon they will be formally wed. She was the in seventh month of her pregnancy, and the couple are so much in love.
Hinata's father accepted Naruto, and they were currently living alone in the house within the Hyuuga compound. He was not Hokage, but it didn't matter to him. The child would certainly introduce a new brand of trouble to the village, but would grow into an excellent ninja, too. She's going to be the child's granny, she presumed; Naruto didn't have his, so she would have to be the child's, like her master had been Naruto's... "Be happy, Naruto…"
There, somewhere next to him, was her old teacher. The man still reads those books, and the face under that mask still remains a mystery.
Kakashi-sensei... the same as always, the book in his hands, mask on his face, and never failing to be fashionably late... She always chagrined at the undesirable side of him: lazy, tired of everything...
But she eventually found a way to make him put up a bit of effort at being on time more often and showing a little more enthusiasm. Actually, he was one of the rare denizens of the village that didn't have that special someone, the person who warms your heart, who waits at home for you, to be your strength.
But she doubted that. It was just too weird. He may be a pervert, he may be a little old, but she was sure he had someone like that too, and by the way he'd secretly steal a glimpse at Anko when he thought no one was watching, it was quite obvious as to what the truth of that statement really was. She found out that they had an affair one day as she secretly walked in on them kissing, and only Kakashi noticed her intrusion. Later on, when Anko left, he approached her to offer an explanation, which forced her to laugh. She didn't have to know, she would not tell anyone, but let's say that Kakashi was never late again...
Anko knew he loved her, but apparently she wasn't open to long relationships. Regardless, she still seemed happy with what she had.
If it's okay with them, then she would be the one to judge. "Sensei, you perv."
There was the rest of the "gang". Most of them were with a local girl or boy, but there were always the ones that took a lover in another village, while others tended to find missions a priority. Those were the ones that mostly took suicide missions and had no one in life.
She got sad the moment she saw him. Her childhood love, her ex -teammate, and now only a seldom comrade in battle...
Sasuke... she got over him a while ago. He constantly refused her, and not only that, but he insulted her and it broke her apart. He never cared about her, not even when she cried. His hatred destroyed him, and now he was alone. Destroying himself further, he watched others enjoy their happiness, hoping lucklessly for a day he'd find his own too. "Smile for me, Sasuke –kun."
As for her, it took a while to come back to her life, but she soon found another reason to live, and to think that it was right in front of her nose all along…
It came to her one night, while she was crying by the lake. It heard her, came to help her toss that misery away, and make her realize that there is more in life than sorrow. How? With lips.
It kissed her slow and hot, made her forget everything... it was... well, in fact he was...
"How is my brother doing?" a cold question came from behind her. She sensed him; he always watched her and spoke to her, but in this, it was always a necessary loneliness felt by both sides.
A soft smile graced her lips as she got up from the ground to meet the person that approached.
"Fine. He's about to come back anytime soon from his mission. How are you?" He eyed her briefly, but quickly looked away. It was as though her presence hurt him; it was always like that, no matter where they were.
She knew he wanted something. He never spoke like this before. After all, this was the first time he had ever advanced towards her while she was thinking, and in public no less…
"Hn." He decided it would be better not to speak too much. He just wanted to go away, far from everyone in this pathetic village.
She perceived loneliness in his eyes, the need to be loved, to be cared about, to be appreciated. She saw it every time. In order to become stronger than his brother, he left everything, abandoned it just so he could dedicate himself to his goal. She blamed his parents the most, because they were the ones responsible for him, but instead, they pushed him, made him believe that he had to be like his brother in order to evolve into a true clan member.
She had a little talk with them, with those extinguished clan members. They were insufferable, yelling all the time, cursing. They were like some kind of pests. To reason with them would only be a waste of time. Even her shishou had tried that, and in the end nothing was improving. It only grew worse.
"Something bothering you?" Her soft voice woke him from his thoughts. How could she still be so nice towards him when he did so many damnable things… His brother was a lucky man; it's too bad he didn't realize that in time. Now she could be his and not his brother's. All he can do now is weep and suffer.
He shook his head as a negative answer. He would never admit his feelings, even if it killed him.
"Then… why are you here?" Like she suspected, he would always stay this stubborn. He regrets it, for the days he let her pass by… But it was too late. He was no longer in her heart.
He fidgeted for a moment, like there was something he wanted to say but too afraid to let go. She smirked; he was never afraid.
It took him a couple of minutes before he began to speak.
" Nothing's bothering me. I just wanted to inform you of something." He would just get it over with as quickly as possible. There was no other option.
"I am listening." It had to be important- after all, he was being so formal. She'd listen to whatever he needed to say.
"I'm leaving."
She smiled.
Actually, she expected that for a while now, and just when she started questioning when he was going to decide what the best course of action would be for him, this happens. It was apparent that there could be no happiness in this world for him. If he stayed, he would probably lose his mind, perhaps worse.
But his current expression made her see something in his eyes… He appeared uneasy, worried…
"Really? And where to, if I may ask?" Her question stunned him, as if she just told him he was going to die. He was surprised… you could say that something seemed odd to him. His eyes narrowed.
"Aren't you gonna say something like, 'Sasuke, that is dangerous, you have family and friends here, why leave?'" To be sincere, he expected something like that, but definitely not this. It was just too easy…
And in the moment he asked her that, she realized something. He's afraid of not letting him go…
It was stupid! To think she would prevent him from finding his happiness. It was just absurd. He knew she still cared, so what was with this question? He made it seem like she had some kind of master control over his life.
"No. I am not. I'm simply asking you where you're going." Will he ever see that she cares? And yet again, he was surprised. It had to be a joke… she is not supposed to be like this, or to put it in better words, he didn't expect her to act like this. Looking her in the eyes, he saw his answer. Her gaze towards him was gentle, full of so many emotions, and it showed him the reason she was like this. He understood. She saw it… now if only she could lead him on the right path.
"Sasuke, you can go. I don't actually care where to, I just don't want you to feel afraid of leaving. It's a good thing, really." She spoke to him with a small smile that lingered the on her lips the entire time. She was really happy for him.
"I -" he started nervously, but she didn't let him finish.
"Stop. Why waste time on excuses? They don't matter. I just want you to be happy, and if it means leaving Konoha, I will do anything in my power to make it so…" A smile reached his lips, small but pretty. He was starting to feel that hatred is slowly making its way out of him, and he would leave it all here.
Without a sound, she mouthed ' go ' to him, and with a last look, he nodded towards her and said, "Thank you, Hokage-sama." With that, he left, leaving her alone again, but this time she was happy.
He was at the gates of Konoha, making his way in as his senses picked something up. It was his brother's chakra, and it felt strange. When he returned to the village after his missions, he always checked for the chakra signs of the two most important people to him: his beloved and his brother. Sasuke's chakra was slowly fading from the village, and he didn't understand why.
Unless… he didn't, did he?
Sasuke was acting strange lately; he barely spoke, he stayed in his room for hours, ate only a little, and when Itachi tried to speak with his little brother, he ignored him. Sasuke had never done something like that.
When he spoke to Sakura, he discovered something. He wanted to leave- he was thinking about it a lot. But why? He thought he was happy here with his family, friends… but yet, perhaps he's mistaken.
Maybe he hadn't noticed his little brother's sadness, his look when he went to Sakura, his words full of so many emotions, feelings he couldn't see.
He bowed his head as he came in Konoha, thinking of his reason to live. Sasuke was his hope, his little brother he cared for, and yet he couldn't... couldn't make him happy. In the end, when he thinks over it more clearly, he took everything away from Sasuke. His parents, the clan, and now his love…
It all made sense now, why he wants to leave.
But it's really the best decision. Sasuke would definitely find a better life away from here.
And he supports him. He will always be there for his foolish little brother...
A little smirk appeared on his face instead of sadness. There was no point of wasting time on regrettable things- now the only thing that mattered was returning from his mission. He was hungry and tired, but above all, he knew who was waiting at home for him. That was his motivation to continue.
"I don't know how many times I have to go over this with you." Sakura was just tired of arguing with the old sannin. He was like a little child, always getting in messes, and he never listens, always doing the opposite of what he's supposed to do.
"Ah, but Sakura-chan... It hurts like hell, " he said as he sat on the chair and removed the robes from his body. He was severely hurt, and by the looks of it, he was experiencing internal bleeding too. That's what he gets when he won't listen.
"Don't you Sakura-chan me. I told you not to do that. You will die one day because of this, really. Just look at these injuries. I shouldn't even heal you; I could just leave you lying in the hospital for weeks." Really, he would never change. She got near him and started healing his wounds. God- it was like a tornado hit him!
As soon as her chakra hit his wounds, he sighed. The chakra felt so good… it was so soothing that he could fall asleep any time now.
"Oh, no you won't. Don't you dare sleep while I'm healing your ass over here," she said while administering a little more chakra into his system. It felt like she was poking a knife straight into his stomach.
"Sakura... it hurts," he whined. So much about the legendary sannin, whining because of a little pain.
"Oh, shut up. You should have known better than to spy on Tsunade bathing again." The man simply had no boundaries. She told him not to watch her, but he just wouldn't listen, as though his entire existence required the sight of naked Tsunade. Sakura sighed. Men...
"But you don't understand! I am writing the latest Icha Icha novel and I needed to catch some inspiration. Besides, she wasn't the ONLY thing I was looking at! " he said as he crossed his arms and pouted like a baby, which only made Sakura roll her eyes.
"Ohh, nooo. Of course not. You were also looking at Tonton. What an interesting chapter you'll make- it's suitable, really, with a piglike main character. Really, Jiraiya-sama, she was there alone," she argued, sarcasm smothered in her tone. How can he deny that when it was obvious how he liked her…
"She wasn't! And I wasn't looking at the pig. Shizune was there too, as well as Anko and Ino..." The old man was such a liar that in Sakura's book, it was pathetic. Shizune was there alright, but in other section of the hot springs, sitting alone with Genma. Anko was on the other side of village helping the students, rather, exchanging conversation with Iruka, so there was no way that Anko could be bathing. And Ino... well, she was just too busy for something like an exquisite bath.
"Jiraya-san. I know you like Tsunade."
Silence.
He stayed still a moment, which she noticed and smiled softly at him. He too smiled, knowing that there was no sense in lying now.
"Am I that obvious?" What a stupid question. He's not obvious, it's just she knew them too well, and without a mistake she realized that. And why not? They deserve it.
"No. It's just evident to anyone who squints." She smirked. What else on earth is she going to keep as a secret? Life as Hokage sure could be difficult. He looked at her, eyes asking if she would dare tell anyone.
"I won't tell. Your secret is safe with me. But… can you promise me something?" Well, maybe she could even compromise with him somehow.
He thought about it for a moment. He was doomed, no doubt. Well, he didn't have any choice. The only thing he could do now was give her a nod and allow her to continue.
"Good. Listen- it's nice that you're in love, and I'll be most happy if you two get together. But here's the thing: you have to stop spying on her. It's just… gross. And she'll never be with you if you keep acting like such a pervert, either. You have to be more romantic. That way, she'll fall for you. Maybe." She muttered the last part.
"Wait, but how can you be so sure of that? You know something?" he asked, his question full of hope.
"Jiraiya sama... Just do what I say and everything will be ok. Don't ask me something I can't answer." And she said all he wanted to hear. A warm feeling closed around his heart as his eyes sparkled with joy. His Hokage was an absolute angel who came from heaven.
"Thank you so much, Hokage-sama." She finished her healing and let him get dressed. She loved this, to be able to make people happy. He redressed and made his way out. As he stopped by the door, he sensed a chakra. It had been there for a while, listening to them, apparently waiting for them to finish. He smirked; he knew just who the person was.
"You can come in now, Itachi-san..."
Sakura looked shocked for a moment. She didn't sense his chakra at all; she must have been so absorbed in her healing that she failed to notice him. She smiled to herself; he always managed to surprise her.
Itachi came in through the window. He wore his ANBU suit, as well the weasel mask attached to his face. He still looked somewhat strange to her, even if his countenance was hidden..
Jiraiya saw the look in his eyes and knew it was time for him to leave. He noticed by the way Sakura looked dazzled- it seemed as though she was waiting for them to be alone. So, with that perceived, he left.
With a last look and a bow to his Hokage, he departed the room.
Now they were alone.
'Finally', they both thought in unison. It was their moment, a little time alone so that they could hug, kiss...
He made the first steps towards her. She was so beautiful, with her hair tied in a ponytail, her face make-up free, her eyes glistening with the marked happiness that only he could provide. She was enchanted too. His striking appearance alone made her wobbly like jelly. He was like her drug…
When he got near, he raised his hand and lightly touched her by the cheek. She loved the way he acted towards her, like she were a doll that could break if you didn't take care of it. Always with so much gentleness he acted, so much that it was sometimes strange to her.
How can a man like him be in love with her? Yes, she was a Hokage, but still... It didn't make sense sometimes.
Removing the mask from his face, she put it on the desk nearby. His black eyes pinged straight to her heart. They were so pure, so... soft...
But only she knew that, and that's what she loved the most. To have him just for herself. Sure, she felt selfish, but maybe, she deserves it... And he wants it too. To be just hers, like she was his.
"Itachi-san-" she started, but as soon as she spoke, she was interrupted by the pair of lips that were on hers right now, surprising her. Her hands went to his hair, tugging it tightly as he kissed her gently. He took her by the waist and lifted her from the ground to sit on the table, with him stationed in between her legs... His lips were still on hers, pressing more roughly, his tongue licking her lips, coaxing her to open for him. And she happily did it, allowing him to enter her mouth so he could taste her...
They kissed for couple of minutes and then broke apart, both panting slightly. Pure lust danced in their eyes, but they couldn't do it now. No, she was a Hokage, and she couldn't make love with her boyfriend in her office... Someone could enter anytime, and not to mention she had work to do.
But in sensing his fingers slowly make their way beneath her shirt, she gasped. His cold hand found her right breast quickly, and he closed two of his fingers around her nipple. A little mewl escaped her mouth as he slowly tweaked the little pearl with his thumb, loving the way it pebbled because of his touch.
He growled lowly in his throat while marking her neck, giving more pressure to the nipple.
She couldn't get any wetter by now- he was just too good. Rolling her hips, she gave him a sign that she was desperate for his touch down there too...
But it will have to wait. He didn't have this in store for now.
Abruptly stopping, he pulled his hand out of her shirt and redirected it through her hair.
He combed it with his fingers.
"Hime... I missed you." His voice revealed sounds that mimicked pain; groaning a little, he pressed his forehead on hers, looking her in the eyes... His every word was real, and he was truly in pain... Pain brought by not seeing her..
She let out a sigh.. "I missed you too..." so many things she wanted to say to him, but she couldn't. She would in time, but now was not the moment. She just wanted to sink into his embrace.
She was hoping for a little sex, but he seemed to changed his mind...
"How was your mission?" she asked, which caused him to narrow his eyes a little. She always asked the same question when he returned from his missions, but he didn't see the use of it. She knew exactly how the mission went; he was an ANBU, and its members report about their mission almost every day. She was merely asking because she wanted to strike conversation.
He 'hn'ed in response. There's no point in answering.
She responded by smiling at him. He will always stay himself. Not that she minded; that was the person she fell in love with, after all. She wanted so badly to hold him a bit longer, but something prevented that wish from staying true.
His father was waiting for him. It was one of those clan meetings he always needed to go to because he was the clan's pride and glory. A 20 -year -old man is the Uchiha clan's best weapon, but he's not the one who wanted it to be so. His father, Fugaku, was the guilty one. He always pushed Itachi to his limits so that he could be the most powerful ninja in Konoha, poisoning his mind about the others because he didn't want him to have friends- after all, they made you weak.
But he failed to accomplish that, Itachi wasn't imperceptive after all. At his age of thirteen, Itachi was proclaimed to be the ANBU captain against his will. But he didn't object; maybe it was for the best.
Six years later, the Uchiha clan elders, along with his father, offered Tsunade, the previous Hokage, Itachi to take her place, for he was the best acclaimed ninja in the whole village.
Luckily, Tsunade rejected and made Sakura the village protector, and that made the Uchihas very angry. It didn't matter to them that Itachi couldn't be Hokage. What offended them more was the fact that a mere girl took his place instead. They hated the fact that Sakura, a girl from a weak clan, was selected as Hokage instead of Itachi, the strongest in the village, not to mention smartest, too. It made no sense to them.
Since that day, most of those from the Uchiha clan don't address the Hokage. They refuse her, and it goes on like that.
But she stayed on her feet; it didn't matter how much they hated her. They were only a few people, and no matter what, she will still protect them. That is her vow, to protect the village and it's people within.
"I need to go." His words awoke her from her thoughts. She knew it already. It was always like this. He came, she saw him, they spoke a little, he would leave, and that was what happened every single time. It hurt, but what was she going to do, tie him up by her side? Keep dreaming, that was not possible.
"Alright…" She went with it. In the end, they'll see each other every day.
"Will I see you tonight?" His question stunned her. Those were rare times when they saw each other outside her office alone. It was mostly when they slept together, speaking with each other about everything in the world. But it was never like this. He never asked. It was usually she who made the first move, never him. And now, she was just... too shocked to even say a word.
Her expression made him smile. She was just too cute when she was confused.
Yes, he did have to go to that clan meeting, and he would. But he'd also see her. He wanted to do something special for her since she deserves it. No woman made him feel this way like she did, and no woman cared for him as much as she; the others only saw one thing in him: Power.
When he met Sakura, he was enchanted. She was shining with some special light that illuminated her in his vision. He couldn't get his eyes off of her- she was just too damn pretty...
"Hime?" She snapped out of her trance again when hearing his voice. His hand in closed on her cheek and she leaned into it.
"Of course," she breathed out. She felt like she was the happiest in the whole world, and it was all because of him. He made her feel that way...
"Meet me at 9; I'll be waiting for you by the lake near the border to the Sound. Be sure no one follows you," he finished, which only made her giggle like a kid. He was always so over protective- it was stupid. Hello! She's supposed to be the Hokage. No one follows the Hokage and gets away with it.
She said a quick 'yes'. He moved his hand away from her and kissed her on the forehead for goodbye.
She already missed his warmth as he moved towards the window. He got his mask back on his face and with one last look at her, he jumped through.
In lonely despair, she sighed, returning to her desk where a lot of papers were waiting for her to fill and sign.
She couldn't wait for later tonight.
A/N: So, I hope it's ok. I am going to make it a two shot story, and don't worry, it will contain lemon XP …Also I would like to thank my beta Scarlaluna for making the story readable..
R&R