"It's ok to cry, Sasuke." This time I comforted him, and held him tight. "You don't have to finish is you don't want. I held him tightly and let him cry on my shoulder. We sat there for a long time, not saying anything. In a way, his muffled sobs were a relief... I knew he was letting go something he'd been holding for a very long time.

He lifted his head up and looked into my eyes. "Arigatou...Sakura." I noticed how his eyes had change. There was less pain in them. Maybe Sasuke was finally going to be able to be happy. "Sakura." He half whispered. Then, something happened that I had never expected. Gently, he pushed me down onto the soft mossy ground. He was on top of me, one hand on each side next to my head. He lowered his, pressing his lips against mine. I still don't think that feeling of his kiss could ever be described. He slipped his tongue into mouth, sucking lightly at my lips. I grasped the back off his shirt trying to understand. I was so happy.

We lay embracing each other on the ground when I felt a shiver run down my spine. I ignored it, what could be wrong when Sasuke-kun loved me. Suddenly he let go of me and sat up. He grasped clutched his head, staring at the ground. "Sakura..." His voice was icy. My Sasuke had frozen again. "He lowered his hands, still clenching his fists. 'This can never be." His words were an arrow which pierced my body. All of my happiness was drained. Something was very wrong.

He did not, no he could not look me directly in the eye. He forced his eyes shut, in pain. "Sasuke." I whispered. I was feeling his pain. I crawled over to him, putting my hands on his. Immediately he pushed me away.

"Don't touch me." He half whispered. He was now staring at his hands, eyes wide. Slowly, he shook his head. "I knew this could never be. So why did I let you in? Sakura, you'll never understand." Venom dripped of his words, poisoning me.

I didn't know what to say. It's true, I didn't understand. But more than anything, I wanted to. I loved him, and long ago had I surrendered my heart to him. I was more devoted to him than any other girls at the academy. My thoughts were interrupted by a thud. I looked over to see Sasuke, collapsed on the ground, clutching his left shoulder in pain. "SASUKE-KUN!!" I darted over to him, holding him once more.

"Get away!" His body, weak from the pain of the curse Orochimaru had given him, did not have enough strength to push me away. I couldn't let him go. I pulled him close once again. "Get a.." his quivering voice trailed off as he let me embrace him. His whole body was shaking. I stroked his curse seal softly, tracing the pattern. Slowly he relaxed.

I smiled to my self. So Sasuke has a weak spot. With my other head I trailed my fingers up and down his back.

"G-gomen." He uttered.

There was a brief period of silence before I replied. "What happened?"

Again there was a pause. "Ever since, my family...the Uchiha clan was..." his voice shook. I had never seen Sasuke so upset before. "When they.... died, I promised my self I'd never love anyone or be close to them. Ever again. I forced myself to be alone. But then... I met Naruto... and you."

I tried to hide my tears, but failed. "Sasuke..." He loved me. And I loved him.

Our peace and solitude was broken as a silhouetted appeared in the door. The person took another step and my heart sunk as I realized who it was. Itachi.