Forbidden

: Itachi and female Naruto one shot.

: I don't own the Naruto series nor its characters.

She stood there by the water's edge her back turned to the trees. The moonlight shone down on the small clearing illuminating tan skin and long golden tresses that fell freely for once. Her summer white dress highlighted. Still as stone she stood seemingly for an eternity watching, and waiting.

Naruko turned her head towards the tree line. A silent acknowledgment to the presence that had appeared there. Silent she stood her face towards the rushing water yet again. The very air itself seemed to wait in apprehension of a confrontation. Suddenly and quite without warning he was there so close they could have been touching. So close… so near…

"You came." She whispered.

"I could not force myself otherwise." He spoke in his deep quiet voice. In silence they stood then. Not one sound nor word nor movement. For hours they stood him just behind her so close… so near….

If one were to have walked upon them then surely they would see the tension. The desire that they held to touch one another, to hold. Yet they didn't. Still as stone they stood quiet and unmoving. Wanting and denying that very want that desperate need.

An eternity later the moon was gone, the once warm summer night chilled as the sun's light touched the horizon.

"You know that I love you." He said suddenly.

"Then stay with me." She whispered. Strong masculine hands ghosted over delicate shoulders wanting but not touching.

"I cannot." A sigh.

"I know." Silence again.

"You know I love you too?" She said. Voice filled in sadness.

"Then come with me." He pleaded silently.

"You know that I can't." The need was strong in her voice.

"I know." He sighed.

Silence.

"I dream of you."

"Every day."

Every night."

"I miss you."

"You will not come again."

"No. I won't."

He touched her then suddenly and without warning. Dark ebony swirling with emotion that was reserved only for her. His light. A deep kiss a quiet, goodbye love. And he was gone. As if he had never been.

Naruko faced the river again. He hands clenched as if in anger. Not a sound, not a word. Her shoulders shook. Hands trembled still tightly clenched. She sobbed then. A heart wrenching sound.

"Goodbye… Itachi…."

Within the trees on the other side of the river Sakura stood. Stunned.

She never did tell anyone what she had seen that night. Never told why Naruko would have no one. Not Sasuke who had loved her even after years upon years of marriage and beautiful children. Not Neji. Nor Shikamaru. Not even Gaara of whom they were so alike.

Famous and the Rokudaime, Sakura never told a soul why they're friend and beloved leader remained alone till the end of her days. A forbidden love never meant to be. Two broken hearts torn by fate and forsaken by destiny.

-END—

Inspired by the song Anywhere. By Evanescence.