CHAPTER 10

Itachi's POV

"Congratulations on your promotion to Jōnin! I knew you would become an elite ninja very quickly." I said holding my tea for a toast.

"Thank you, I'm was very surprised when the Hokage told me the news but we should celebrate." Misaki replied smiling.

She had just returned from classified S-rank mission where she had to use everything she had learnt so far not only to succeed but also to come out alive. Her chakra control, ninjutsu and taijutsu had been put to test along with her technical and tactical skills. If it wasn't for the intense training she had received under Shisui and me, and then Jiraiya, probably the end result would've been the same.

The Hokage and the Council had reviewed the report for the mission her captain had quickly provided and they've all agreed on appointing her Jōnin after her return. She seemed surprise at the outcome but I never doubted it. Misaki was the only one that didn't realise her true potential. Shisui and I have agreed years ago that she'd be able to surpass us both at some point. She had a hidden power, one we couldn't understand but the one that gave her the ability to fight against our dōjutsu.

"Why don't I prepare your favourite meal, I know you must be starving. Does that sound good?" I asked her and she seemed excited at the idea.

Misaki relaxed on her chair while watching me around her kitchen. After I had put the ingredients in the pan I felt her behind me, her arms wrapping around me. My body froze for a moment and ironically, it was because the warmth of her body sipped into every pore of my body.

"Is there something wrong?" I asked while turning around.

She looked up, staring into my eyes for a few seconds before standing on her tiptoes, her lips brushing mine, light as a feather.

I smiled, placing a hand on her cheek while tracing her cheekbone with my thumb. Misaki looked at me with raw desire in her eyes before lowering her eyes to my lips. My heart started beating rapidly as it usually did when we were this close.

Misaki kissed me again, but this time she deepened the kiss. I shuddered as her lips parted to coax me closer for a deeper kiss.

I stopped the kiss, if we continued like this I wouldn't be able to control my desire and as much as I wanted to, it was too soon. However, as I tried to move away from her, she leaned her body against me, stopping my movements.

My brain was paralyzed for the unexpected but my body betrayed me. Moving on its own, it pushed against her body until her back hit the kitchen island. Even though our bodies were plastered against each other, it felt like it wasn't close to being enough.

My mouth crashed down on hers and claimed her in a passionate kiss. She cupped the back of my neck as if she was afraid that I was going to put a stop to his madness. It was too late for that but she didn't seem to know that. I closed my eyes as she did as well and leaned even closer, my body treasuring the feeling of her lips against mine.

When we reached the bed I buried my face in her neck, enjoying the fragrance of her body as she gave herself to me and I poured my entire soul and heart into her.

...

As our breathing returned to normal, I took her face in both my hands and then kissed her reverently, hoping that she would understand my feelings. She held me close and drifted to sleep with her cheek pressed against my chest. My heart felt like it was going to burst with the love that I felt for her.

I engraved this feeling in my mind and heart, knowing that this would be the last time I would get to hold her like this. As much as I wanted to keep her by my side, the path that I'd taken wasn't one that she could follow.