"I promised him," I say bitterly, my back against the wall as Sasuke holds me by my throat. Rain drops gently fall on my face. I don't dare look at him in the eye. He knows who I am talking about. Itachi Uchiha.
"Even though you're the fastest shinobi in the Hidden Leaf Village, you won't bring me down this time," he says.
"Bring you- Sasuke, what are you talking about? This is the first time we've met since you left," I say, confused at first but then sad, and very annoyed at myself for letting him go. I should have made him stay. I feel guilty.
"Never mind," he waves the question off. I feel annoyed and want to punch his face.
"Tell me!" I protest, shaking my body, trying to make his grip on me loosen, though in vain.
"You tell me," he says. "Who is this person you keep promising things?"
"Sasuke... That's not important at all."
"Tell me," his grip gets firmer on my throat.
"You know, don't you?" I ask. "You know that I'm talking about Itachi. Why bother asking when you know?"
He lets go of my neck and takes two steps back. He inhales sharply, like he wanted to say something important but then says nothing. And then he looks into my eyes.
"The next time I see Itachi, I swear I'll kill him for making you promise weird things," Sasuke says, anger suddenly flushing into his voice.
"What? But why?" I ask, nervously. I had a crush on Itachi when you were young, and you don't want him to get hurt. Apart form the Third Hokage and Danzo, I am the only one who knows Itachi's truth.
"Akari," he says, taking a step forward. He places his hands gently on my shoulders, pulling me towards him. "It's because..."
He pulls me in and kisses me. Nothing has ever felt so good in my life. Nothing matters except him. Not even the mission, or my squad mates, just him.
"S- Sasuke," I barely manage to say after I pull back.
"I think I love you," he says, a little playful smile appearing on his face. I feel good seeing his smile. I try to remember the last time he smiled like that, but am unable to recollect anything.
"Sasuke," I say placing my head on his chest, slightly leaning on him. Holding his shirt tightly I say, "I love you too. I want to be with you, so please, come back with me." I sound desperate. I suddenly find myself crying.
He pushes me back and looks away. "That can't be done," he says."But why?" I start saying, my voice barely heard due to the sound of the rain drops hitting the surface of the earth. "We love each other, and that's more than enough reason for you to come to the village and be with me," I say, feeling dejected.
"Akari," he says looking into my eyes, "I'm so sorry."
Saying this he walks away, and I don't even try to stop him. I know that what he does is for his good.
He leaves me standing in the rain, all by myself, feeling guilty about having lost him a second time.