This is a short chapter. My humblest apology bow. Sorry. I planned to join this with the next chapter, but considering it was too long, I separated them into two. Sorry, sorry, sorry…. So sorry!

Yes, All I Ask of You from Phantom. But not only that from phantom. You didn't notice that 'The point of no return', right? . But Onna Ooji, yes, you're great. But you miss 'Aspects of Love'. Just that.

Standard Disclaimer Apply

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Chapter 9

It was only you who could make me like this. Just you who could make me smile. Only you who have the power to move me.

Always… I always see the ocean in your irresistible green eyes. I was stunned. And involuntary, I sank into them. Too far. Too deep that I cannot come back to the surface.

You. With your innocence, told me how deep you fall in love with my little brother.

Truthfully, I never felt being defeated by my weak little brother. I always won. He always lost. But now I doubt that.

You. With not even a bit of agitation, told me so many ways of loving someone and being loved by someone.

When finally I learnt to love, you left me without ones to love.

You filled the empty world of mine with strange and sweet warmth I never knew before. I don't want to lose that warmth. The warmth makes me 'feel'. The warmth makes me 'alive'.

I was being honest to you. With or without my parents, I would be like this all the same. But with you, I would be different. Without you, I would be crushed.

It wouldn't be the same with you. Because in just mere days, you already being an important part in my life. 'You' are the only one of my life which isn't empty.

Before, never I thought there would be arms to hold me. I've always known my heart was on its own. I always learn to be lonely. Always learn to love life that is lived alone.

But you're there. It's a luck you want to be with me. It's a luck you want to smile for me. It's all a true luck that you want to wait for me in my door.

And even I don't want to admit it; I fall in love with you. And love always make fool of everyone. Always changes everything. Earth and sky. Hands and faces. And every single word means more than before.

I fall in love with you. Never know how, never understand why.

Pitiful creature of darkness? Was that she once called me? Hn. Maybe that's right. Maybe I deserved to be pitied. But I don't need it. I don't want it.

And I saw clearly, as clear as daylight, that if you leave, my life will be emptier than before you came into my life. I'm afraid, really afraid. The fear I never felt before. The fear of losing someone.

I know you love my brother. It was obvious in your eyes. It was obvious like an opened book.

Now you want to do so. Do you think that I would allow it?

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I'd never thought I'd be here…

The air around them tensed. The atmosphere was so intense for ones to bear.

Is this really real? Or am I daydreaming?

She stared him in disbelief. He stood so close from her now. A predatory looks was in his crimson eyes. Yet she didn't being intimidated by the intense glare.

"Have you gorged yourself, at last, in your lust for blood?" Her voice asked dryly.

No answer. Cold. Dead.

Lonely.

"Am I now to be prey in your lust for flesh?" His gaze hardened. His right hand reached out. His slender fingers caught her chin in-between, penetrating the wall of chakra. It seemed like the wall just could be penetrated by the Uchiha prodigy, they noticed. The sea green eyes met straight with the red-blood ones.

"This fate which condemns me to wallow in blood," he hissed, "has also denied me, the joys of the flesh." The black-painted nails dug into her chin, almost leaving cuts. She winced ever-so-slightly at time.

Happiness was just like mystical fake. Like smoke. Disappear as fast as it formed.

"The time—the infection, which poison our love. Why didn't I meet you first?" he asked to no one in particular. Hoping someone would answer him.

I love you, Sakura. Never know why. Never understand how.

Sakura's and Sasuke's eyes widened. Love? Is it means that he falls for her? It just… didn't make sense, they thought. Because both of them considered: Itachi + Love Impossible/End of the world.

"Make your choice, Sakura." Itachi finally said. She closed her eyes, confused. She heard Sasuke's voice as if from distance, "For pity's sake. Sakura, say no!"

Sakura opened her closed eyelids, staring at Sasuke's bleeding body, helplessly asked, "How long should we two wait before we're one…?"

My one final question…

"Never." A cold voice answered. Slowly, her tears flowed down once again.

"Past all thought of cries for help," he hissed sadistically, "no point in fighting—for either way you choose you cannot win…"

I couldn't cope. Just couldn't cope. I won't let her leave me. Without her, I would be crushed.

"Free her, you bastard!" Sasuke yelled as he gagged some blood again.

What I once used to dream I now dread…

"Sasuke!" Sakura shrieked inwardly. She glanced sharply at Itachi. "Don't put me through this ordeal by fire!" she screamed desperately. Her voice was almost pleading.

A dreadful battle played itself in her brain. Both sides were so eager to win. But one of the sides…

I don't want Sasuke to die, which is obvious.

"S-Sakura, don't ruined away your life just for my sake."

But must I lie to everyone, and to myself?

"His life is now the price that you must earn…!" Itachi's voice cut away her thoughts.

Sasuke… I…

"…I fought so hard to free you…" the other voice spoke.

While she still confused, a pair of strong hands gripped her small shoulder. "So do you end your days with me, or do you send him to his grave?" His voice was barely audible despite its sharpness. In spite of his demanding tone, the flame of the S-rank criminal's eyes were almost distinquished. Almost begging. Sasuke never looked his elder brother begged like this. Never.

All the thoughts of joy… All I've ever wish…

"Why made her lie to you to safe me, nii-san?" he asked spitefully. His glare didn't do anything for this complicated situation.

Too long I've wandered in winter…

For few seconds, dead silence hung around the 'battle-field'. Not even Sakura's sob heard.

Hide your face. They will never found you. Hmph. Good solution.

Their hard gaze backed to Sakura, demanding answered. Sakura shook her head confusedly, tears flowed down even harder, decorated her pale face with some dirty lines of tears. Finally, she managed to say. Her voice was gentle and soft, despite the utter confusion that was hers.

You feel that you're lonely—it doesn't mean that you are alone…

"Twisted every way, what answer can I give?" Her voice came hoarse and her gaze fixed in Itachi's eyes. The inhuman stare of the infamous Sharingan red eyes almost killed her. Actually, she would wish for death rather than being in this complicated situation.

You feel that nobody wants you—it doesn't mean that no one cares about you…

"Am I to risk my love, to give him a chance to live? Can I betray the man who has all of my heart? Must I become your prey? Do I have any choice?" Her voice hitched in her throat. Almost inaudible yet the two of the Uchiha could hear it just fine.

A simple fact. Why don't you understand?

"I gave you two choices," he answered coldly.

His freedom? His life? Must I? How about me?

Sakura threw her gaze from Itachi's muscular form. "You kill without a thought—you murder all that's good. We both know I can't refuse, and yet… I wish I could. Oh god, if I agree, what's horror waits for me…" Itachi's cold voice cut her sentence.

Pitiful creature of darkness, what kind of life has you know?

"You try my patience, make your choice," he hissed.

Silence. The battlefield in her head almost decided which side would win. Almost.

She closed her eyes. The winner was clear.

Then, languidly, she opened her eyelids—revealing the sea green eyes.

Too deep that I cannot come back.

She gave an inaudible sigh. That time, if suddenly a hole without ground opened under her, she would jump there without a bit of hesitation. She stared the black angel of death in front of him, and then to her fellow team mate.

God give me courage to show you… you are not alone…

The decision was already taken. It really broke her heart to make the decision. She raised her head. A tear almost dropped itself down her pale pink cheek. Almost. She held it back, inhaled deeply, and then she managed to say.

How could you don't know that? Why don't you understand? Just simply knowing… Just simply believing…

Almost like an eternity, they waited, then finally heard her voice.

"I chose you." Those words were passed through the trembling pink lips. Her voice was strangled, trembling like mad. She stared one of the Uchiha. The direction was clear. The winner was clear.

"And now I'm here with you… No second thought… I've decided…"

…Decided…

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One more chapter!

Haha… sorry for torturing you longer. Well, you all know what will make me update faster. Yes, that's right, REVIEW! Please please please review!

If you not… I will haunt you till you die…

Kidding, but I may not update…

Kidding again!

But…

Uh... Uhm... Well, have a nice day!
£exy The Thief