I'll Protect You

Sakura's eyes widened. 'This woman…is Atsuko?!'

Sasuke glanced at Itachi.

"…Itachi…" Atsuko reached towards him.

Itachi stepped back and shook his head. "…why….why are you here?" his eyes stared in disbelief.

"I wanted to see you! I really regretted what I did…I-,"

"Shut up!" Itachi yelled. "You come…after 2 fucking years…to say that you regretted what you did?! What do you expect me to do? Just take you back and say that I love you again?!" He glared at her.

Atsuko began to cry. "I know…I know that I left you…and that caused you to be in so much pain…but I really do regret it! I just didn't know…how much you meant to me…I was just too carried away with going back to my old life, but then…but then…"

Sakura's eyes widened when Atsuko suddenly jumped into Itachi's arms.

"…it didn't feel the same! My memories with you…they would replay again and again in my mind…I felt so guilty…I didn't realize…" She looked up at him and caressed his face softly. "…how much I loved you, Itachi…"

Itachi's eyes widened.

Sakura felt jealousy boil in her.

Sasuke saw her expression and held her hand. Sakura's eyes saddened as she looked at Sasuke. He squeezed her hand slightly. "Let's go," he mouthed and dragged her away.

Sakura's eyes glanced back at Itachi and Atsuko. Tears fell from her eyes when she saw Itachi hug her back.

'…so…all this time…he still had her in his heart…'

Sasuke and Sakura splashed their feet in the water slowly.

Sakura sat quietly, with dried up tears stained on her cheek. She was still panting a bit.

Sasuke looked at her and sighed. "Sakura-,"

"He still loves her…" Sakura interrupted. "…all this time…when he was with me…when he said he loved me…I thought Atsuko was erased from his mind. But then…now I realize…I was only a replacement…" tears began to fall, again. "…He always had Atsuko in his heart…he'll never be able to forget her…"

Sasuke's eyes saddened. He pulled her into an embrace. "Sakura…he isn't worth your tears…" he whispered.

Sakura clenched tightly on his shirt.

"I'll protect you…" Sasuke held her tighter.

Sakura's eyes widened.

"I won't allow you to cry…I'll make you smile…I won't let you feel any more sadness…you don't deserve it. Itachi…has always loved Atsuko…and no one will ever take the place in his heart…that's why…you shouldn't cry, Sakura. He isn't worth your tears…he doesn't deserve to have such a wonderful girl like you…" Sasuke broke away and stared into her teary eyes. He smiled softly and caressed her cheek. "…because…to me…you're the most beautiful, unique, and amazing girl in the world…"

More tears came down Sakura's face. "…why?" she murmured.

"Eh?" Sasuke narrowed his eyes.

"Why, Sasuke? Why is it always you? Whenever I cry…whenever I get hurt…whenever I'm a hard situation…why do you always seem to be there for me?" Sakura shook her head.

"…because…you're important to me…" Sasuke replied.

Sakura looked into his eyes.

They both stared at each other for a long time.

"Sakura…" Sasuke murmured. "…you still owe me a kiss…."

Sakura blushed.

"Can I…can I kiss you?"

She was a bit taken back by the question.

Sasuke smiled at Sakura's expression. "Sakura…can I?" he asked again.

Sakura looked away, unable to answer.

Sasuke sighed and held her hands tightly. He brought up his other hand and turned her face towards him. "Sakura…" Sasuke whispered.

'Why…? Why do you stare at me so lovingly? Why…?' Sakura's eyes began to close, slowly.

Sasuke pushed back some of her bangs and leaned in.

Sakura felt their foreheads touch…then their noses.

Sasuke made a small smile. 'I love you, Sakura…' he thought.

And unlike the other times…this time…he really did kiss her.

Sakura felt his lips lightly brush over hers. 'So…warm…' She thought as Sasuke deepened the kiss. Sakura snaked her arms around his neck and pulled him closer. 'Why does this feel…so good? So right?' After a while, they both broke apart for air.

Sakura's eyes widened and let go of him. "Ah…" she touched her lips and blushed wildly.

Sasuke smiled. "Starting tomorrow…don't think about Itachi, anymore. I'll be your bodyguard, starting tomorrow, too…"

Sakura blushed as he kissed her forehead.

"…so…don't cry anymore…I'll be here," he whispered.

Sakura's tears fell as she embraced him. 'This…this feels so…right…'

Itachi hugged Atsuko back tightly. "…why? Why did you leave me?" he shook his head sadly.

"I was naïve…I didn't realize what I had, right in front of me…Itachi…I'm so sorry…" Atsuko cried and looked into his eyes. "Do you remember? Our promise…"

Itachi made a small smile and nodded. "No matter who we'll be with at the end…we must never forget each other…"

Atsuko's eyes softened. "Yes…that's why…I've never forgotten you. I love you…"

Itachi was taken by surprise as Atsuko leaned in and pecked him lightly on the lips. "Atsuko…" he stared at her with wide eyes.

"I have always wanted to do that…I wanted to hold you like this…kiss you…will you give me another chance, Itachi?" Atsuko looked at him, pleadingly.

Itachi stayed quiet. He stared into her sad eyes and hesitated. "…yes…"

Atsuko smiled and hugged him tightly.

"Tomorrow...come here, again…I want to take you somewhere. I missed you so much, Atsuko…" Itachi whispered.

Atsuko laughed happily and nodded.

Itachi waved goodbye as Atsuko drove away. He sighed and looked up at the stars.

"…I can't believe it…after two years…she…she actually came for me…" He clutched his chest. "I'm so happy…but…what is this guilt in me?"

Itachi's mind flashed to Sakura. His eyes widened.

"Sakura…"

Sasuke pulled up the covers and smiled at her. "My father will be leaving at six in the morning…I'll come wake you up, ok?"

Sakura nodded.

"…goodnight…" Sasuke walked away.

Sakura grabbed his wrist. "Sasuke…"

Sasuke looked back and raised an eyebrow at her. "What is it?"

Sakura couldn't find any words to say. "…thank you, Sasuke…" she made a weak smile at him.

Sasuke sighed and bent down to her. "I'll protect you…" he whispered and kissed her forehead. "Goodnight," he said again and went out.

Itachi saw Sasuke come out of Sakura's bedroom.

Sasuke looked up and saw him. "…only Sakura's room is in this hallway…what are you doing?" he glared.

"…let me talk to her," Itachi replied.

"You had the chance…she pleaded you…and then right at that moment, Atsuko had to appear, too…tch…" Sasuke crossed his arms. "How did it go with that woman? Did you really take her back just because she said some loving words to you? After doing that to you…after betraying your love, do you really just forgive her that easily? What about Sakura?! She didn't betray you…she was just confused because Naruto was her first love…and yet…you can't find the heart to forgive her?" Sasuke glared at him.

"Sasuke…let me-,"

"I'll protect her."

Itachi's eyes widened.

"I'll protect her from you…from anything, and anyone that will cause her to be hurt. I'll make her smile…I wont let a single tear drop escape from her eyes…"

Sasuke poked Itachi's chest.

"You. You are the one who caused her tears…you are the one who made her feel the pain…you are the one who didn't forgive her for a small mistake, but forgave Atsuko after two fucking years for leaving you…you have no right to speak with her, let alone, even look at her…" Sasuke's eyes glinted, dangerously. "I will beat the fuck out of you if you cause her to cry again."

Itachi's fists clenched tightly as Sasuke walked away. He looked at Sakura's door, sadly. "…he's right…I…have no right to be with her…"

Sakura touched her lips.

"A kiss…from Sasuke?" she blushed. 'I never thought…that he would actually kiss me, this time…is it because I was crying?'

Sakura let out a heavy sigh. "…Itachi…I like you…and I want to be with you…" her eyes saddened. She closed them to prevent tears.

"…but…if being with Atsuko can make you happy, again…I'll try to forget you…"

They finally kissed! Lol, there you go...tell me how you liked it, and the next chapter will be updated shortly so look forward to it! REVIIIEWWW!!!!