I'M SO DAMN MAD. GRRR... I JUST WANT TO RIP SOMEONE'S HEAD OFF. So to... Change my depressing attitude, I'll write. Sigh..
I received SO MANY reviews for the last chapter! And I think I know why, you dirty kids. ;)
Anyway, thank you so much everyone!
"Have you made a decision?"
Her eyes followed after him. An empty tone, "To what?"
Uchiha Madara scoffed and glanced up at the ceiling briefly, "Becoming my wife."
"I gave you an answer. Is your mind so decrepit that you cannot even remember a simple reply?"
His head twitched toward her, snidely, "Careful what you say to me, child."
A bitter smile pulled her mouth, "Ah, yes.. The fact that someone such as yourself desires a child seems unacceptable, wouldn't you agree, Madara?"
He laughed darkly, his eyes tracing her outline, "Age is only a number, my sweet."
"So it is, yet there are boarder lines between age, as many others also believe." She said, brushing down the fabric of her simple white dress.
Madara gradually smirked, "Yes, but which conquers first? True love, or age?" She choked back a scowl. The day she loved him was the day she would drown herself in icy water.
"I'm afraid that your love is unrequited. What is between us is nothing even remotely close to the lines of love, much less true love, Madara." The young woman told him firmly. Oh, she could just see the face of anger behind that orange mask.
"You haven't tapped into your true feelings yet, Koneko. Of course you would believe that he is the man you are destined to be with." Madara's visible eye slimmed.
"He is that man." Was all she was able to muster before the wall to her left came crashing down.
"He is not!" The co-founder of Konoha bellowed, temper rising rapidly, "I am!"
Returning his fist to his side, she could hear his teeth grinding, "Uchiha Itachi is a pathetic excuse for an heir to the Sharingan. He does not understand it's raw power! He is nothing compared to me! Why do you choose him?"
Her green eyes flickered to the rubble on the stone floor, before giving him an answer, "I love him." She spoke while on her way to the door,
"And is more of a man than you will ever manage to be."
"Have you told anyone?"
"Konan.." She admitted quietly. Another laugh from him, "I see."
"I guess when you're pleased about something, it's difficult to keep it to yourself." Kisame said, staring down at the small woman. At that, a tint of rose appeared over her cheeks.
The Kiri shinobi trekked down the hall, "I should be on my way. Some of our troubles have returned since Itachi's little brother is still alive."
"Oh, really?" She smiled knowingly. He stopped, an amused slidelong stare toward her, "Yeah. Itachi-san seems to believe it."
The breeze was light and soft, blowing the branches of trees as they sat together. Peeking at him, she smiled gently. He was magnificent in all his glory; his line of sight focused into the distance. His eyes flashed toward her. A wisp of a smile.
Such a rare find was appearing more frequently, much to her joy.
Gathering her in his arms, the two of them fell back against the lush green grass. Sighing, Itachi pecked her temple.
"Is there something the matter..?" She rose her head to search his face.
"..No, nothing."
Koneko's gaze matched with his. Scarlet was removed, leaving breathtaking black in its place. Slitting his eyes, the Uchiha's vision was horribly blurry and dim. A deep frown developed on his lips as he looked away from her.
She brushed the black bangs away from his face, "Can you see me..?" His hand caught hers, kissing each knuckle slowly before he shook his head lethargically.
Resting her head on his solid chest, she kissed his peck through the fabric.
"Use your Sharingan as little as possible..." His hold on her became tighter, "As you wish.."
Itachi had to tell her. She must know at any cost, but his heart prevented him from saying such words. He knew the outcome. He knew what her reaction would be. Though he did not want to break her.
"...In one day's time," He breathed out and forced his tone to be neutral as he looked at her, "I will have my final battle with Sasuke..."
Heat. Moisture built at her eyes. She found herself inhaling fairly deeply, more than she would've liked.
"You'll achieve what you've wanted for so long, Itachi... You must feel relieved.." Holding herself back, she knew it was no use. She was a ticking time bomb.
He pulled her up with him into a sitting position; he looked at her straight in the eye. Those beautiful emerald eyes of hers, hidden beneath long black lashes.
The sole thought of not beholding her adoring gaze when they awoke together... Would be hell.
"I would give anything..." On the brink of inaudible to her ears, though she saw the movement of his handsome lips, "Anything in this world to have a different fate.."
Blinking, her eyes went wide. The brunette felt all air being stolen from her lungs. Briefly, she swept to her surroundings while she attempted to find her will to speak.
"No.." At that, his dark brows angled in question. Koneko averted her eyes, fighting off threatening tears, "No...! You can't say that, Itachi...!"
"Why." He demanded her answer.
Pouring down her cheeks, she cried, "You've done everything for Sasuke! Your life! All of your work.. Your plans would be gone! Simply beca-"
"The sole fact that I love you and wish for peace does not mean that anything has been abolished." Itachi spoke with a straight expression, "I have only gained by having you in my life. Not lost. You have given me more than any man could ask for."
He released tense oxygen, "I truly believe that you were sent to me. To remove me of my hell, and bring me to heaven."
Dark, entrancing eyes watched as her lower lip quivered to hold back her sobs. Itachi snaked his arms around her waist and pulled her toward him.
"You are so precious to me..." Breathing in the luscious sent of her hair, he kissed her neck tenderly.
Koneko placed a small peck on his cheek. His hands threaded themselves into her silky hair, "Which is why I want you to marry me."
She was struck frozen by his proposal. Her heart was molten lava. Koneko could hardly breath at all. Had Uchiha Itachi... Really asked for her hand in marriage? Was she delirious?
No, this was reality. His eyes portrayed how sincere he was to her.
An elegant and gorgeous band was between his thumb and index. Adorned with lavish diamonds that shone in the setting sunlight. Her heart thundered inside her chest. Oh.. This man..
His eyes lingered on her as though he was memorizing all of her.
"Marry me..?" She asked him softly.
Itachi brought her wrist to his lips, kissing the underside, "... You said that you would never love another man after I pass." He felt hollow inside. Empty. How would he feel on the day of his death? What thoughts would run through his head..?
"I want you to be mine, even in death."
Her chest convulsed, "I will be forever yours, Itachi..."
The long haired man kissed her fervently. Their lips molded together to make the perfect creation. Koneko pulled away, dazed, and needing to breathe. Itachi merely moved his lips to her hair, and she continued to melt.
Carefully, he slipped the piece of jewelery onto her left hand-ring finger.
Itachi's eyes were troubled as he stared out into the gradually darkening sky. As he held her he could feel her shudder as she attempted to hold back the tears.
He decided to not allow the painful reality of their situation to come between them anymore this evening. For her, he would give her the gift of illusion for awhile longer.
He lifted her into is arms, cradling her upper back and the crook beneath her knees. Leaning her head against his collar bone she slowly fell into a light sleep as Itachi ventured back to the base.
...
Removing her of her clothes to leave her only in her undergarments, he laid her back onto his mattress. He stripped of his own clothing and joined her, entwining their legs together as he spooned her from behind.
Itachi watched her, a smile blossoming on his face. The young lady looked up at him, her eyes emitting love for him.
"I love you..."
"Hmm?" He murmured,
She smiled, looking into his charcoal eyes, "I love you..."
"I love you too, my kitten..." Itachi's facial expression softened as he bent his head down to place a sweet and tender kiss on her lips.
Elated, he knew that he must make the rest of their time together worthwhile. For him, and especially her... As he looked down at her beautiful face, he realized what must be done. Uchiha Itachi would protect her from harm, even if dead..
For the remainder of the night, he watched over her while she slept peacefully, and planned for a solution.
