I ran through the streets, breathing heavily. Maybe I could make it in time. I dearly hoped so. This was my last chance.
"Itachi!" I yelled, rounding a corner and practically running into him. Well, actually running into him. The only reason that I didn't fall was that he grabbed hold of me and kept me steadily onto my feet. As usual.
"Jeez, calm down Kush. You didn't really think I was gonna go without saying goodbye, now did you?" he said, smirking.
"Well, they said you guys already left," I stammered, clutching my side and trying to catch my breath.
"Tairo?" He guessed. "You really believe the biggest prankster of the village? Seriously Kush," he continued, shaking his head.
I threw my arms around him, hugging him as hard as I could. Tears were forming in my eyes. Oh how I would miss this boy.
"Uhm, Kush?" Itachi coughed, making clear that I should let go. I did and took a step back.
I stared at my shoes, suddenly scared to actually do it. I just stood there for a moment, weighing my options. I was staring at the ground, moving my legs around, shoulders pulled up high. My body was al tense, my every move showing how nervous I was.
I heard him sigh.
"Is there something wrong?" He said, suddenly close to me.
I looked up to see his face close to mine, his eyes worriedly studying mine. I couldn't look away. I gathered up my courage, while I still had the opportunity. I moved my face closer to his, steadily.
At the last moment, he pulled me into a hug. I didn't know what to do. I knew it had been obvious, what I'd been up to and I surely hadn't expected this.
"I – I love you, Itachi-kun," I whispered so softly that I wasn't even sure if he'd heard it.
"I love you too, Kush. And I'll miss you. You're like my second sister." He smiled and held me at an arm's length. He gave me a pat on the head. Then he turned and walked away.
That was all it took. Three sentences. Two to get my hopes up. One to crush my heart into a million pieces.
And then he was gone. For four years.