My God, I love you people... I am updating early for those you which I love so dearly! Be happy!

...

Moving forward only half a foot, he closed the distance between them and slanted his mouth over hers.

The feeling reminded him of euphoria, where his heart soared to new heights and nothing could destroy that. He felt her soft lips against his own chapped ones but it couldn't have been more perfect. He kept his eyes shut tight, not wanting to see the shock and rejections on her face, wanting time to revel in this kiss.

He'll never know why he did it; perhaps the attraction had always been there and the emotions had been running high at this moment. Maybe once, just once, he let his control falter, letting him give in to his deepest desires. It had been now or never, so her did it, for he couldn't see a time in the future where he would let himself get this weak to lose control.

When he felt that she wasn't going to reciprocate, he knew that he had just ruined everything. His friendship with her; his chance at happiness with her; everything. Kicking himself, he pulled away, instantly missing the feeling of her in his arms and the taste of her lips. He finally opened his eyes and saw her shocked and confused face.

He never thought that anything could equal his pain from so long ago. That anything could even compare to what he felt on the night he killed his parents. But cruel fate loved proving him wrong...

"I'm sorry," he choked out, barely more than a whisper, and vanished in a cloud of smoke.

...

It's almost like you had it planned

It's like you smiled and shook my hand and said

"Hey. I'm about to screw you over big time" and

What was I supposed to do?

I was stuck in between you and a hard place

We won't talk about the hard place...

She sat on the roof, kicking herself and calling herself idiotic names. Why had he kissed her? Why didn't she kiss him back? Why did she keep thinking of Sasuke when she should be thinking of Itachi?

Hopeless, was the only word she could call herself right now. She was hopeless. As hopeless as she was, she sighed and leaned backwards to look up at the night sky. Stars filled the ebony blanket, twinkling at her like impish elves.

"Yeah, you guys have it easy, don't you?" she scowled at them and became angered when they didn't fade. Giving up on damning the stars, she reflected back on Itachi's had seen his distraught face when he pulled away. But she had been too shocked to react; perhaps it was too late to fix it now...

Gently, she touched her bottom lip; she could still feel his lips pressing against them. It had been unlike any other kiss she's ever felt and transpired feelings inside her that she hasn't felt in years. His kiss had been soft, gentle...sweet. Everything he was to her and everything she felt towards him. His lips had burned their mark onto her own and her soul. The feeling would never go away nor did she want it to.

But what about Sasuke? She loved him and always had. Could she just throw all of that, years of pining after him, years of running after him, throw that away? To love another?

She chuckled half-heartedly. Love Itachi? The thought had never crossed her mind; she never thought anything could come out of their friendship. But now that it was before her, the idea didn't seem all that bad to her. She remembered the joy she felt when he came back... Could that joy have been comparable as if Sasuke returned to Konoha?

But who's to say he wouldn't be like his brother? Sasuke had broken her heart, stepped on the pieces, and left them in the dirt. He had been her first crush, her first love, her first heartbreak. She should've seen it from the beginning. The way he acted, how he treated her, how he never stayed just for her... It was like he had been telling her that he would screw her over someday.

But she had fallen for him, and hard. In the end, he had caused her had broken her down. Years had passed and when she finally had the strength to build herself back up, she vowed to never love again. She had built walls around her, with the help of her friends such as Neji and Ino. She didn't want to be hurt again. Not like that.

But I don't blame you anymore

There's too much pain to store

It left me half dead

Inside my head

And boy, looking back I say I'm not the girl

I used to be when I lost my mind

It saved my life

But Itachi was nothing like Sasuke. He cared for her, he wanted what was best for her, he wanted her to be happy. For all the time she's known him, he was always kind and gentle towards her. He had been a broken soul when he came to her, but never wanted to give that same pain to her. He had always wanted to protect her from his pain, never letting her see it, never letting harm come to her. Not by him.

Itachi cared for her deeply, maybe even loved her. But could she love him back? A small voice in her heart spoke 'yes', that he wouldn't hurt her like Sasuke had. Looking back up at the winking stars, she took a deep breath.

"I deserve a second chance, don't I?" she asked them, but they could only twinkle at her like elves. Making up her min, she stood up and dusted herself off.

"I won't let him hold me back anymore," she declared to the night sky and raced off to find Itachi.

...

A box of pocky held tightly in her hand, she found him on top of the tallest building. She smiled gently; he had always liked high places. He sat at the edge, dangling his feet over the side and staring out at the city lights. His cloak was folded neatly beside him, so she could see his normal attire.

"You don't have to explain," he spoke before she could even approach him. She should've known that he could sense her presence; he was always good like that. "I know what I did was wrong," he continued," And I suppose things will be different from now on, though that's my fault."

He just sounded so lost and hopeless, that Sakura wanted to kick herself in the gut. It was her fault that he was feeling this pain for no reason. So she stepped forward and sat by his side. Out of the corner of her eye, she saw that he was refusing to look at her and was tense.

Sighing, she opened the box of pocky and stuck one in her mouth. Glancing at him again, she smirked victoriously when she saw him gazing at her from the corner of his eye.

"Want some?" she held the box of pocky out to him.

He looked back out at the city," No thank you."

At his answer, she frowned and moved the box closer to him," Have some. I know you have a terrible sweet tooth." She cheered mentally when his eyes widened and he stared at her. She kept smiling at him, waiting for him to give in. It shouldn't take long now.

"How did you know?" he asked as he reached out and pulled out two pieces.

"There are a lot of things I know," she answered," As for your love of sweets, it wasn't hard to figure it out once I put all the pieces together. I know that you would burn the candy wrappers," he slouched his shoulders," You always seemed happier whenever Kimimitsu or I made dessert," now he ducked his head down," and whenever you cook, it always tastes a little bit sweet. I know that-"

"You can stop now, Sakura," he cut her off, willing to bear no more embarrasment. This much was true, for when she looked at him, there was a red tinge to his ears. He was also refusing to look at her.

She smiled coyly," Don't worry, Itachi-kun, I won't tell anyone your secret."

She soon got the reaction she expected, for his eyes widened and he turned his head so fast, he must've gotten whiplash," What did you call-"

So Sakura took a chance and leaned forward, taking him by surprise with a kiss.

...

The city was dark and peaceful, something he usually didn't like, but for now it served its purpose. As he walked the streets, he knew no one would interrupt him while he thought. There was so much to reflect upon, that it left him dizzy. But he knew he had to get things straight, or he would never know what could've been...

"Naruto..." Itachi spoke up quietly, catching the Jinchuuriki's attention. The blonde was lounging comfortably on his sleeping mat, looking up at the many stars, but now turned to his dark companion.

"Yeah?" he asked, wondering what the man wanted. From him, of all people. After all, it was no secret that Itachi liked to avoid conversation if possible.

Itachi sat on his own bedroll, staring deeply into the fire with a blank face. "What did you do about Hinata?" he asked quietly.

Naruto blanched," Ehh, what?"

The older man sighed," After she confessed her love to you, you said that her near death enable you to defeat Pein." He looked back at the blonde," How did things change afterwards? Did you accept her feelings or distance yourself from her because you were afraid of the thought of love?"

Naruto stared at him for the longest time, wondering why Itachi would be asking such a thing. But thinking back, he realized that he had done nothing since that day. He never spoke to Hinata; he never told her how he felt; he never gave her an answer for her desperate proclamation of love. But Hinata never brought it up again, figuring he was busy enough with the upcoming war and searching for his team. Or maybe she let it go because she always knew her love would mean nothing to him. That her confession wouldn't change anything.

"I did nothing," he admitted," I pushed it to the back of my mind and I guess...I forgot."

"So you rejected her confession."

"I did not!" he defended himself, but only half-heartedly," I just...I just..."

At this point, Itachi turned to look at the younger man in the eye with a warning look," She confessed her love to you, Naruto, and you did nothing. You let her words hang in the air, and they're still hanging. Without an answer, she'll never have closure."

Naruto narrowed his eyes at him," And I suppose you're the master on all things love? Why did you even bring it up?"

Sighing, Itachi laid down to prepare for sleep. "You forget, Naruto," he said quietly," Everything I've ever done was out of love. And I just wanted to know what gives people the courage to confess their feelings."

...

Ino faced him with a somber expression. He looked back at her, confused as to what she was going to say next. Though knowing Ino, she probably had a whole lecture waiting for him.

"I have to wonder," she began," Why is Itachi with Sakura-chan?"

"Eh?" he tilted his head slightly," I already told you. Because Sakura-chan saved his life and they both hid in the same village. Did you forget already?"

A tick mark appeared on Ino's forehead and she unashamedly bashed him over the head," I know that, you dolt! But don't you think it's weird that he wants to stay with her? He's not exactly a social type of guy, so why is he so determined to stay with our Sakura-chan?"

"Eh?" Naruto, thought for a moment, pondering her question," I suppose it's because he cares about her." Ino's eyes widened, but he paid no heed as he continued," And the last night, he kept asking me questions about Hinata-chan and talking about love."

"About Hinata-chan?"

"Yeah," he nodded," I think he was a little mad that I haven't told her how I felt yet."

"WHAT?" Ino nearly exploded and grabbed him by the collar, again," You still haven't talked to Hinata-chan? You left her hanging? You little punk! She poured her heart and soul out to you and you're ignoring it?"

Any second longer, and Naruto was sure that Ino was going to kill him.

Ino promptly dragged his sorry ass towards the front door and literally threw him out into the streets. "You can't just leave stuff like that, baka!" she screamed at him," You have to talk to her about it. So get your sorry ass up and figure out how you feel! When you realize you love her too, go tell her!"

...

So with an iron grip around his heart, he stood in front of the Hyuuga compound...

...

We walked along a crowded street

You took my hand and danced with me

Images...

And when you left you kissed my lips

You told me you would never ever forget

These images...

No...

Well I'd never want to see you unhappy

I thought you'd want the same for me

The night was dark and peacefull, just how she liked it. There was no one to bother her as she thought to herself in her room. She sat on her bed, staring out her window at the night sky.

Why hasn't he answered her yet? It's been over a month and she's never spoken to him since. Should she not have confessed? Told him how she felt? How she could not go a day without thinking about him and admiring him for who he was. That she wanted nothing more in life than to see him happy, and maybe even... happy with her.

At the moment, she had felt so strong and invincible, sure of herself for the first time in her life. She was going to die that day, but she refused to at least let go of life without him first knowing of her love. But something went wrong. She survived. And she had confessed. The days after were filled with tears, for where did that leave her?

Could he never love her back?

Goodbye my almost lover

Goodbye my hopeless dream

I'm trying not to think about you

Can't you just let me be?

So long my luckless romance

My back is turned on you

Should've known you'd bring me heartache

Almost lovers always do

There came a soft knock on her door and a quick second after activating her Byakugan, she knew it was her cousin, Neji. Quickly wiping her tears from her face, she softly padded over to the rice paper door.

So much for being along tonight.

"There's someone here to see you," he said the instant she opened the sliding door. He had immediately spotted the tear marks staining her cheeks, saw those red and puffed eyes, saw the pain inside them, but said nothing of it. Instead, he waited for her to nod before leaving. His baby cousin was hurt and he didn't know what to do, so he was afraid to try to find a way. He knew she wanted to be left alone, so he gave her these few moments to herself while she made herself presentable.

However, a few seconds after Neji left and Hinata was leaving her room, her little sister appeared.

"Hanabi, what's wrong?" she asked, though she guessed when she saw the damp washcloth in her sister's hand. Silently, the young girl held it out to her big sister, who used it to wash the stains of her crying away. It washed away the evidence, but could do nothing about the pain. Something happened next, and Hinata could not figure out what when Hanabi pulled out a decorative hair piece. It was the youngest Hyuuga's favorite hair comb, with a beautiful lily flower.

"It looks better on you," Hanabi said quietly, reaching up to put it delicately in her fragile sister's hair. Before Hinata could protest, she was already heading back to her room.

(What Hinata never knew and would never find out, was that her sister, cousin, and her father were currently in the room beside the entrance. Each of their Byakugans were activated and all pointed directly at the front door.)

"Hi Hinata-chan," Naruto spoke as soon as she opened the door. She froze completely, eyes wide and heart pounding. Naruto's blue eyes gazed upwards at the lily in her hair and silently thought it was beautiful on her.

He looked back down and saw her wide eyes. "Well, umm..." he began nervously, trying to find the right words," I... I guess I should start out by saying that I'm sorry..."

She literally felt her heart fall and shatter into a million pieces. He didn't love her.

"Sorry that I was an idiot and waited so long," he quickly amended, seeing her distraught face," I know I did wrong by not telling you this before. I've hurt you so bad, Hina-chan, and I don't think I'll ever be able to fully forgive myself. I don't really expect you to either."

He sighed and shut his eyes, trying to picture the right words coming to him," The truth is. You're an amazing person, Hinata-chan. You're so brave and strong, you're selfless and would put others before yourself, you're truly the nicest person I've ever met."

"That day, when you saved my from Pein, you did more than save me. That day, I saw just how great of a person you were, and I was just a lost cause compared to you in my eyes. I had been so close to giving up, to thinking that all was lost. But when you showed up and faced him all by yourself, so brave and so fearless, it gave me the heart to not give up either. You gave me the strength I needed to defeat Pein and save the village."

"And even now, you're still my hope, Hina-chan. Because as long as you're so brave, and strong, and selfless, then maybe I can be too."

"And...and you've always been...been so pretty and..." he continued, blushing slightly and stumbling over his words," I guess what I'm trying to say it...that I... umm... oh hell."

Gathering all the courage he could, Naruto did what he's never done before and leaned forward...

And that is how Hinata got her first kiss.

(Over in the next room, her family was celebrating in silence. Hanabi was literally bouncing in place, so happy for her lovestruck sister. It was damn time Hinata got the love she deserved. Neji smiled and shook his head; leave it to the dobe to not know how to say he loved her back, settling for a desperate kiss. He glanced over at his uncle and did a double take.

"Hiashi-san..." Neji rose an eyebrow and whispered," Are...Are you... crying?"

With tears rolling down his face in waterfalls, Hiashi turned quickly away from his nephew and daughter," I... I've just never been happier. My Hinata-chan is finally with the one she loves and she will one day make the clan proud. She's strong and now she has someone strong to stand beside her."

Neji could only smile.)

This. Chapter. Was. NECESSARY! Dear Lord, the tension between these two couples were so suffocating and something HAD TO BE DONE! And don't deny it, all of you are either A: crying in joy much like Hyuuga Hiashi. B: cheering and dancing around like Hanabi. or C: glaring at me and saying "About damn time, you infernal woman."

But you still love me. =) ADMIT IT!

The two songs featured in this chapter are two of my favorites. The first was 'Light Years Away' from the soundtrack of One Tree Hill. And the second, my favorite, 'Almost Lover' by A Fine Frenzy.