A/N: (Updated; March 10th 2021)

Hello my lovely readers!

First things first, yes I changed my username (why I did it? Felt like I needed a change since I've had this account since it would seem a forever ago)

I am currently on a reading week (a week to catch up on university assignments before midterms) so I had the chance to do an update for you.

Thank you for your reviews! They are the fuel that keeps me going, especially during this challenging semester. (It's my first time doing university courses online and it's a struggle, but I'm doing my best)

If there are things that need clarification, let me know!

samsongnot336: hello ^^, to answer your question about chapter 12, what is a Hanae? Senju Hanae is the name of Tobirama's kidnapped daughter. I think you might have gotten confused because I specifically chose the word "thievery" instead of "kidnapping" to signify that women were a property to other clans such as Adachi and even Senju. Tobirama sees his missing daughter as his property.

Important! !

This story is rated M for a reason — you have been warned.

This chapter includes scenes of mature subject matter.

That said, let's dive in.

Happy Reading ^^

Chapter 13. Heart's Desire

The sound of my voice, The beat of my heart,

With trembling hands, I walk to you.

As soon as she stepped onto the path, she glanced over to the oh-so-familiar sight of the torii-laid path. Then as if he was hiding behind the corner, he emerged from the path, running towards her. A mirage. It seemed impossible for him to find her. And yet there he was, the man who would not leave her thoughts, running towards her desperately.

"Itachi," she whispered into the night.

Sakura kept her sight on him — scared that he was to disappear any second, fade into nothingness before she had a chance to touch him. When he reached her and she felt his strong arms wrap around her body tightly, she nearly melted into him. She brought her hands up, wrapping her arms just as tightly around him. She inhaled deeply as her face was pressed against his shoulder, taking in his manly scent. It sent shivers down her spine and a fire ignited within her as she pulled her face away to glance at him. She noticed that he breathed just as intensely as she, his arms never loosening around her. He glanced down to meet her gaze and without letting another moment pass, his lips descended upon hers. It was not like their first kiss. No, this one was hungry and full of passion as her lips parted, allowing his tongue to slip within. Itachi let the palm of his hands glide down her back. A wave of intoxicating euphoria bubbled within her as she felt his body pressed against hers. Oh, gods how she needed him. She was not going to let go.

She grabbed onto the edge of his kimono, pulling him closer, as they walked up the three steps into the shrine. As soon as they were inside, Sakura slipped off her dark green sweater and tossed it aside on the ground, revealing the white silk nightie that still remained tucked into her sweatpants. Itachi's eyes wandered the exposed skin of her collarbone, and to the slightly exposed valley between her breasts. And then his hands were on her waist, gently sliding upwards along the white silk as he leaned down to press a soft kiss to her exposed shoulder. He continued to press kiss after kiss, peppering her exposed shoulder, her neck, her jaw, and finally her lips once more with his affections.

Sakura loved the touch of his hands and lips on her body and craved more. As she broke their heated kiss, her hands traveled up to his tied haori. With quick surgical precision, she unraveled it, exposing his naked chest to him. She let her hands glide down his firm pectorals, enjoying the touch of his body as his kisses began to prove to be quite distracting. She arched her neck slightly as he made another trail of gentle kisses from her shoulder to her jaw. His exploration of her body was gentle and loving.

He has captured her lips again in yet another heated kiss. Sakura trailed her hands up, grabbing the edges of his haori and effectively pushing it completely off his shoulders. Itachi obliged her, letting it slide down his arms and onto the ground. Then his eager hands returned to her body just as hers glided down his chest and to his abdomen. She broke the kiss slowly, and Itachi turned his attention to her collarbone as the strap of her nightie slipped down her shoulder, exposing more of her flesh to him. Hungrily he placed his lips upon her shoulder once more as his hand traveled up to touch the exposed flesh of her breast. A soft moan escaped her lips, as her fingers reached the tight knot that held up his hakama pants.

In this moment she didn't care about their surroundings. She didn't care that they were in an old shrine. All she cared about was the man before her and her intense desperate need to feel every inch of his body against her — as if to drown the bubbling fear within her that he might disappear any minute. In this moment, nothing else mattered except the fact that Itachi was alive, and he was here, with her.

She let out another soft moan as he kissed her neck again, his lips gentle and loving with each press to her delicate skin. His hands slid down the white silk nightie and slipping down below her sweatpants, pushing them down effectively. Sakura stepped out of the baggy pants and kicked them to the side. Then her fingers quickly untangled the knot that held up his hakama and with a slight tug, the hakama cascaded down his body and onto the ground. Sakura's eyes glanced down to see his hardened member, only for her arousal to grow even more. Sakura then reached for her nightie and she slipped it off herself and discarding to the pile of clothes next to them. Her arms wrapped around his neck, bringing him down for another hungry kiss. Itachi hoisted her up into his arms, letting Sakura wrap her naked body around his. Then with ease, he settled them both onto the ground. He glanced down at the beautifully flushed pink-haired woman under him. His lust-filled eyes were drinking her in, taking in the soft details of her features as he wedged himself between her legs. He smiled, as she reached out towards him, wanting him closer. He obliged and as he pressed the tip against her, he leaned down, letting her settle her hands on his shoulders. Sakura bit her lip, suppressing her moan as she nudges him closer with her leg that happily remained tucked around to his back. Itachi glanced down at her, meeting her gaze as he pushed his length into her completely. Sakura pressed her fingers into his shoulders as she felt so wonderfully filled with his length.

"Mm…Sakura," Itachi murmured.

The sound of his husky baritone calling her name, made Sakura grip tighter onto his firm shoulders as he leaned down and stole a kiss from her. He began to move within her. At first his thrusts were slow and sensual as he enjoyed the way her sacred walls hugged his length. Every inch of her body was driving him wild with desire and hunger for her. He needed her, oh gods how he needed her.

"More," Sakura moaned out.

Itachi let out a groan as the sound of her voice send a pleasing shiver down his spine. His hand traveled up her thigh and up her side as he leaned down again, capturing her lips once more in a needy kiss. Sakura returned the passionate lip-lock as her hands traveled down from his shoulders and down his back. As Itachi parted from her lips, the sound of their harsh breathing filled the air as they moved in rhythm, completely tangled in the throes of ecstasy.

The following morning.

Sakura stirred awake with a smile when the first rays of the sun kissed her face. She stretched slightly as she sat up happily, letting the sheets pool around her hips. Her eyes fell onto the familiar red digits upon her nightstand. 8:47AM. What a night. She felt a pleasant tenderness pulsing between her thighs. She was most definitely in bliss.

Then she glanced over to the man sleeping happily on his back right next to her, his black hair splayed on her soft grey pillows. Her eyes gently observed his calm features. He looked so peaceful; his face free of any worry. She glanced down to his kiss swollen lips and immediately her fingers reached to her own, touching them gently. Then her eyes traveled from his face and to his exposed chest, noticing the subtle red marks she left behind. She blushed at the memory of last night — how desperate they were with each other, needing to feel as close to one another as possible. How they made their way back to her apartment after climaxing together in a heated passion, only to discard their clothes once more and resume their love making in the comfort of her home. She bit her lip as she thought back to how it felt to have him above her, inside her, how she felt him pulsate within thought alone was already causing her to squirm. Their reunion was a happy one — considering that in the heat of their reunion they made love inside of a shrine. A thought flashed through her mind that this it was almost like an offering to the gods — just like in the old days.A soft chuckle escaped her lips causing Itachi to stir awake.

"Good morning," he said with his deep husky baritone.

"Good morning Itachi," she greeted with a smile.

He returned her smile and then his smile curved into a playful smirk. Then he leaned forward claiming her lips in a soft kiss which she happily returned. Then she inched closer to him, placing her hand on his chest as she snuggled to his side. Itachi wrapped his arm around her, placing a soft kiss onto the top of her head.

"I can't believe you're really here. I feel like any moment now I am going to wake up and find myself alone in this apartment," Sakura said all snuggled up to him, enjoying the warmth of his body.

"It's not a dream. I promised you I'd find you," Itachi replied as he gently rubbed her back in a soothing gentle circle.

"You did," she said and then she paused for a moment before she continued," I want to say something selfish."

Itachi put his fingers under her chin, gently nudging her to make her look at him. Sakura did so, her forest green melting into his obsidian.

"What is it?" he asked.

"I don't want you to go through with the omiai," she admitted.

Itachi let out a soft chuckle, and he gently moved his hand towards her face, tucking a stray piece of her pink hair behind her ear. Then he spoke with a gentle voice, "There's no omiai. I have decided to not go through with it."

"You did?"

"Yeah," he nodded.

"Good, otherwise, I would be very upset," Sakura replied.

Itachi gently caressed her cheek.

"You're the only one I want," he admitted.

Sakura then surged forward kissing his lips once more, surrendering to the happiness that filled her entire being. Itachi returned her kisses without hesitation. Then he lifted himself off her pillows, as he crawled over her once more as he began to pepper her jaw and neck with soft kisses once more. Sakura let him do such, as she enjoyed his attentiveness — as his lips cascaded down the valley between her breasts and further down to her navel, going lower and lower.

"Ita…" she gasped as he pressed his lips against her nub, coaxing a subtle moan out of her.

She propped herself up on her elbows as she glanced down to see him. When he met her gaze and flashed her that smoldering smile, she simply leaned back and enjoyed his touch.

An hour later they were still lying in bed together, their legs tangled. Itachi breathed deeply as he held her close to him, Sakura was settled nicely against his chest, just enjoying the sound of his steady heartbeat. After a moment longer, Sakura sat up, reacting to the slight rumble that settled in her stomach. She flashed him a gentle smile about to say something about her going to make lunch when Itachi sat up as well and he began to speak.

"Sakura, as much as I wish to do nothing more than lie in bed with you for the rest of my days, we have to talk."

Sakura's smile disappeared from her lips and her eyebrows slightly furrowed. "What's wrong?" she asked with a hint of worry.

Itachi sighed softly as he sat up as well. He ran his hand through his long raven locks, pushing them out of his face. Then he looked at Sakura as he began to explain.

"I have to return home within the next two days. We have been summoned to answer for burning down the Senju estate. My father, he … he isn't doing well. I have to protect my family, my clan. It doesn't help that on top of all the charges the council is demanding for the Uchiha to answer for the kidnapping of the Senju daughter again."

"Because of me?" she asked.

"I-I understand if you wish to remain here. It's safer and-" the rest of his words were swallowed by her sudden kiss.

Sakura quickly broke the kiss, as she had his attention.

"I'll be coming with you," she murmured softly against his lips.

"You will?"

"Of course, just give me the rest of the day to pack some necessities for us to take and yeah, we'll go back together somehow. The shrine will let us through. If it allowed me to see you after I asked, I am sure it will let us return. I have faith that it will," Sakura smiled at him, as she gently pushed his bangs out of the way delicately.

"What about your surgical studies?"

"I'm needed in Niwamachi more than here. I know my purpose. So, we'll pack and we'll go," she paused for a moment, "Oh, but one more thing, I wish for you to meet my mother, just a short visit. I never thought that it would be possible for her to meet the man I've fallen in love with," Sakura suddenly admitted as her cheeks flushed.

For a second, a wave of fear wrapped around her as she voiced her true feelings for him for the first time. She knew last night, the moment she saw him again, that this intense and overwhelming feeling she was experiencing was love. Would he feel the same or would he-

And then she met his inquisitive gaze, the fear of him rejecting her love completely disappearing as a warm smile appeared on his lips. Itachi felt his heart quicken as he gently reached to her, cupping her cheek gently.

"You love me?" he asked gently — needing her confirmation as he leaned a bit closer to her.

In that moment, Sakura swallowed her pride and nodded as she spoke, "Yes, I love you Itachi. I don't know when it happened, but it did. Somehow you weaseled your way into my heart. I love you, and I'm not afraid to bare my heart to you. These past few weeks were the worst of my life because I did not know if you lived, if you recovered well enough," she trailed off a bit, (earning a playful smile from him in the process),"I worried that you might have developed an infection or your wound somehow reopened, there could have been other complications but the point is I did not know, and it was driving me insane. I needed to see you again. I needed to tell you how I feel. And now that you are truly here with me, I will not cower. I wish nothing more than to stand by your side. I know I am not an Uchiha, but I think I would make an excellent partner if you'll have me."

Itachi gazed intently at the rosette before him, a swell of warmth spreading through his chest as she courageously declared her intentions. And in that moment, he knew, that this woman was everything he needed. She would be his and he would be hers. And he was not going to settle for less.

"Sakura," he began and then he pressed a soft kiss onto her lips.

Then, he caressed her cheek gently with his thumb before he continued," I do not care that you are not an Uchiha. I would not change anything about you. I do not know when it happened, but I do know that you are the woman I wish to be with. I love you."

He kissed her once again, which she happily reciprocated.