"You remember…I'm so glad" Itachi said with a gentle smile. Hana's head felt weird because of the memories flooding back all at once. He reached for her hand, gently squeezing it. Remembering the conversation, she and Sasuke had earlier that day, she couldn't smile back. He loved her too. Just like she always wanted, so why did she feel so sad?
"Is something else the matter?" he asked her, tilting his head to the side. She looked away from him.
"Where's Sasuke? Do you know?"
Itachi hesitated. "I don't."
"You do so. I know you; you're lying to me right now. Itachi, I know you watch over Sasuke too. So please. Tell me where he is."

"Sasuke has been overcome with hatred and anger," he said slowly, "you shouldn't worry, I'm sure he will return as soon as possible."
"What….what do you mean?"
"Sasuke isn't the same child we both once knew. I am to blame for that of course."
"I don't understand what you're implying."
Itachi sighed deeply.
"All I will say is…just because you don't want to kill me, doesn't mean he feels the same way."

"Itachi…" she said sadly, nuzzling her face into his shoulder. She took in his lavender scent and sighed.
"I wish things were different."
"As do I."
Leaning back, she pulled her legs up under her chin. In that moment, she remembered something else Sasuke had said. About his mission. He had seemed hesitant when she asked would he come back. Looking up at Itachi, her eyes were like saucers as it hit her.
"He's leaving, isn't he?"
"I'm sorry, Hana. But you mustnt' go after him. He has made up his mind."
"I'm going after him!" she yelled, jumping up off the bed and reaching for her coat. Itachi grabbed her wrist, trying to pull her back, but she wasn't having any of it.
"Sasuke needs to be here. With me. He belongs here with me!" she yelled, tears in her eyes, "I won't just stand back and let him leave me!"
Itachi seemed taken aback by her comments.

She didn't utter another word; she just snatched her hand back and ran as fast as she could out the apartment door. She didn't even put her coat on, or her shoes. Her coat was just draped across her arm the whole time. She ran around the village, eyes blurred from her tears, thinking: 'Please don't be gone. Please. Please don't leave me.'
As she ran past Sakura's home, she noticed her standing in the window. She must have noticed Sasuke nearby, or at least, that's what Hana hoped. To her surprise – she was right. A few feet ahead, she spotted him. Despite her blurry eyes, she knew it was him. She could make out that Uchiha symbol anywhere. It was the symbol of their clan, so of course she knew it.

"SASUKE!" she screamed out. Turning on his heel, her brother was shocked to hear her call his name. She slammed into him, wrapping her arms around his back so tightly, he couldn't breathe.
"Hana…" he whispered, listening to her sobs for a few seconds. It pained him so deeply to hear her cries, but he knew what he had to do.
"Where are you going?!" she screeched.
"I think you already know," he said softly.
"But Sasuke," she sobbed, "you can't leave me here all alone without you!"
"You belong here. Konoha is your home. It has never been mine."
"I wanna go with you!" she cried, "please!"
"No," he said sternly, "that's my final response."

He shrugged her off him. He had to be strong. He knew that this would be a difficult moment from the time he decided to go – but he was going to leave Hana behind, no matter what.
"My visions, Sasuke," she said, "I see us together. Happy. For once in our lives – we're happy."
"Huh?"
"We have children. A-and a home. Here, in Konoha."
"Don't be silly, Hana. That sounds like a fairy-tale."
"Maybe so," she said, wiping at her eyes with her sleeve, "but it's our fairy-tale. Our happy ending."
"Maybe," he said, stepping towards her, "maybe someday, Hana. Not today."
"You don't mean that" she cried harder than before, still wiping at her eyes. She felt embarrassed for him to see her like this, "you're trying to pacify me, so I'll let you go."
He didn't reply, a silent confirmation.

"You're mine, Sasuke," she said, hiccupping, "Not anyone else's. Not even Sumi!"
"Hana…"
"I mean it!" she yelled, looking up at the sky as it started to rain. Sasuke sighed.
"I know."
"Hm?"
"Now go back, you'll catch a cold, Hana. I don't want you to get sick."
"Yet you don't mind if I have a broken heart?!" she exclaimed, "Sasuke, when are you going to admit that we have a very special bond?"
"I already told you that I love you," he said, stepping towards her again, "and I mean that. As more than my sister. I thought that much was painfully obvious."

Looking down at the ground, Hana allowed her tears to drip onto the pavement. Clutching at her sore chest, she continued to cry. Within seconds, she felt Sasuke's cool hands wrap around her from behind. This was a painful goodbye – the most painful goodbye she had to make in a long time. Feeling his breath on her ear, she shivered.
"I will always love you, Hana."
"Sasuke…I love you too," she sobbed.
She could hear the smile cracking in his voice, "you've done so much for me, Hana. Thank you. For falling in love with me."

Falling to her knees, Hana felt his hands unravel from around her. She tried to grab them, to keep him there for a little bit longer, but he jumped up onto the buildings – and within seconds, she could no longer sense his chakra. She wasn't sure when, but at some point, she passed out on the pavement – unable to bear her broken heart. Unable to bear the thought that Sasuke was gone. When she woke up, she was lying in her bed, changed out of her drenched clothes. Sitting bolt upright, she spotted Sumi sitting across from her. Squinting at her, Hana then proceeded to look away.

"I'm sorry for everything, Hana. That's all I can say. I know you're hurting right now, and as your…friend. It's my duty to help you."
"How did I get here?" Hana asked, ignoring her apology for now.
"Nari found you last night. Said she heard you yelling so she went to investigate. She went to get me, couldn't lift you by herself. Everyone in the village knows now, by the way. That he's gone. They're not happy. He's gone to Orochimaru."
"Orochimaru?" Hana blinked, "who is that?"
"You don't know him?" she asked, surprised, "he's one of the three legendary Sanin. Evil man."
"He's…gone to be with someone evil?" Hana asked sadly, "I should have sensed there was something not right with him. He must have been feeling this way for a long time, yet I didn't sense it. I'm a bad sister."
"Not at all!" Sumi yelled, "stop it, Hana! You did everything you could to protect him, because you love and care about him. You did more than I would have!"

"I suppose…" Hana sighed, "listen, Sumi. I'd love for us to put this behind us. I love you, you're one of my best friends. Let's not fight anymore. Let's just focus on bringing Sasuke back."
"Of course. What if he won't?"
"He will. He has to," Hana said, looking down at her hands, "because we're in love."
"Hana…" Sumi sighed.
"He told me so," Hana said. Sumi was surprised to hear that.
"I told him about my visions, but he's so blinded by hate that he doesn't even think it could happen. I know it will. I believe in us."
"I wish I could say I hope that for you, but Hana…he's your brother."
"I know, but Sasuke and I. We have a special bond," Hana told her, tears welling in her eyes, "we always have. I feel it with Itachi too, we're not a normal family."
"What do you mean? That you're in love with Itachi, too?"
"No. I mean that the Uchiha clan has been practicing incest for years. It's not unusual that this has happened. At least, not for us."
"I see. I understand. What will you do if you develop feelings for Itachi?"
"I'm sure that won't happen," Hana said, "because Sasuke and I? We're soulmates. He's my tiny spark that burst into a mighty flame."
Sumi looked confused but didn't press it any further.

"We'll bring Sasuke back," came Nari's voice from the doorway. Hana and Sumi jumped, surprised to see her there.
"Because that's what friends are for," she said, looking at Sumi in particular, "Hana and Sasuke belong together. So, let's make it happen."
Sumi stared at Nari, who stared back at her just as intensely.
"I agree, then" Sumi said, standing up, "where do we begin?"