Chapter Twenty-One

My eyes light up and I don't try to conceal the smile that I felt coming. My face flushes red and I stare up at his face, at Itachi's face. He looks down at me, his expression unreadable in this lack of light. His Akatsuki cloak is completely open and his outfit is roughed up from wind- he'd been traveling and searching- for me.

He puts out his hand to me and I grasp it as he helps me to my feet. We stand there for a moment staring, with my hand still in his. I keep my eyes on his face, tracing his features as if making sure he was still the same, as if I was making sure it wasn't Sasuke again. His eyes remain on me, as cold and deep as ever- but now they reflected my face in them. We release each others hands and silence falls, but it wasn't awkward or forced; instead it was comfortable and understanding.

Unsure of what to do, I step a bit closer to Itachi, he doesn't react; his eyes just follow my face. His beautiful eyes glisten a bit in the dim light and I stare into them, lost from the world. I begin to move closer to him again; this can't really be happening, an uneasy smile crosses my face. He stops me from getting any closer and a bit of sadness crosses his features.

"You do realize what this means, right?" he asks, his eyes still on mine, worried. I was unsure for a moment when we were so close- did he notice that? Is that why he stopped me? I try to forget my own thoughts and think about his question. This means that I give up Konoha; the place I've spent my entire life. Where I went to the academy, where I became a ninja, and where my home is at. I could never return there if I had left it for Itachi, the person who had slain the Uchiha clan, which was one of the major parts of Konoha. They'd never accept me back fully.

It also means I give up any past relationships with all of the comrades or friends I've ever had, including Sasuke, Naruto, Kakashi-sensei, my mom, and the other genin. I pause for a moment. Even though I say that I hate her- Ino was still a major part of my life, one of my first friends. She's part of the reason I liked Sasuke so much, because she did, so that meant that I should. I followed her for a large part of my life, and then we called ourselves rivals- just because we both liked Sasuke. And now I'm giving her small amount of friendship up.

Giving up Naruto will be harder than I would like to admit. And Sasuke- giving up him is like giving up over half of my life. It's ridiculous to think about how much I thought about, talked about and stared at him. I remember how he had treated me when he first saw me here. Giving him up would be a whole lot harder if he hadn't treated me the way he had. If he had never come- I would have missed him more.

Itachi continues to stair at my face as I think. His patience is unbelievable as he watches me go through each and every thing I'd give up. My eyes continue to stare into his. I am also giving up the life I've had planned since I was little. I was supposed to grow up with Sasuke, and yet- if I go with Itachi- that will cancel out my plans of ever being with Sasuke. Is this worth it?

I try to think of the good things.

Leaving with Itachi- I continue to gaze into his face- this could completely change my life. I'd be an Akatsuki operative; I'd be a hated ninja. The Akatsuki isn't very well known, but still…

I cringe angrily at myself and Itachi moves to see if I'm ok. I look up to his face- how could I do this? To stand here and try to think over my options- when there really aren't any. Here stands the ninja I've been thinking and daydreaming about- and all I can do is question- 'did I make the right choice'? Itachi's face is so apprehensive seeming. I have passed the point of no return- there's no going back now. It's too late.

Itachi continues to look worried and I stair into his eyes, slowly getting closer to him. His eyes stay on me, concrete yet worried. I reach up, putting my hands on his shoulders. He doesn't react, just keeps his gaze. I get even closer to him; I can feel his breath on my face. Leaning up, I close my eyes and our lips touch, smooth and soft- I've made my choice.

end