I took in a breath, "come in" Sasuke came in the warm house sliding his shoes off he sat

with me on the couch, "Kazuki and me were in love, he was twenty one I was almost

seventeen when we saw each other again, as I told you when I was fifteen I was a

sophomore in high school and at seventeen I had graduated and was starting my first year

in college that's where we met the night of festival of lights, I was studying to get my

teaching degree he was my professor, I never expected to fall for him like I did two years

prior"

Three and a half years ago

Seventeen-year-old Sakura Haruno smiled, the festival of lights, a magical night

"Hey, Sakura ." a familiar voice said she turned to see her college professor Mr. Kimono

came up to her side, "Hello Mr. Kimono" he shook his head, "please call me Kazuki"

Sakura smiled, "Kazuki, was are you doing at the festival?" he smiled, "it is custom to go

in pairs and I thought since we both had no one with us, I might as you to join me" Sakura

shrugged, "You look beautiful tonight." He said.

"Thanks."

"So...are you going to watch the fireworks?"

"Yes."

"Well...its a good idea to get a seat now. It's getting really crowded." Sakura followed

Kazuki across the field toward a hill, "this is a great view of the fireworks" Sakura relaxed

as he put his arm around her, then the first firework lit up the night sky balls of color

exploded, Sakura had never experienced the festival it was truly miraculous for her. the

fireworks ended and everyone clapped. Kazuki turned to her So, are you going to go enjoy

the festival?" he asked.

Sakura's eyes lit up again as she looked to the stands, "Come on, let's go." Neji said,

leading them into the festival crowds.

I paused a moment, "but I did"

looking over at Sasuke he stared at me, smiling I continued "we dated each other in secret

and he was fair in grading with me never let me slide just because I was his girl" I had

never talked about Kazuki to anyone except my father and that was years ago,

"one night at his apartment he proposed, mid terms were coming up and everything was

coming to a close in my college years, he told me he truly was in love with me and

wanted marriage, I accepted we were to wed in June my what a marriage that would have

been"

"you said you were left at the altar when he died in an accident?" I shook my head, "I lied

I was in that hospital room, I held his hand as he passed on" Sasuke looked shocked,

"Besides being a professor, Kazuki also loved to race out on speed way and well he

hooked the wrong car and…." My voice trailed as I went back to the day.

Three and a half years ago…

Sakura stood in the stands, the race was about to start once Kazuki raced today he

was done for a season, he promised. a lot was going on that week, their wedding was

Saturday and Sakura couldn't be happier, she was going to graduate college and

have a family after, either that or before, it didn't matter, looking out at the track t

the green flag went down and off Kazuki and the others went, oh it was such a thrill,

suddenly Kazuki hooked onto a guy who blew an engine, Sakura's nightmares were

realized, as Kazuki's car spun out of control and his that wall, flipping and catching

on fire.

Sakura paced the emergency room floor worried, scarred, horrified she couldn't get

that image of his car in flames out of her mind, it was worrying her sick, suddenly

his mother came out, she looked forlorn, "they are moving him up to a room, the dr.

said he didn't look too swell" Sakura raced up the steps and into the room his

mother told her, going into the room tears spilled on her cheeks, "oh Kazuki you

really gave us a scare" he smiled, "I love you" Sakura kissed him carefully, "I love

you too"

"he scared his mother me and everyone, but we hadn't seen anything yet" I closed my

eyes, "after almost four days he showed no signs of improvement we all began to worry

again, every day I saw him I finished my classes then came to see him, finally we let out

for Christmas break and all the time I had I spent it with him until one day…."

Sakura walked into Kazuki's room just like all the weeks before but something was

different, his mother shook his head, "I am going to call the priest he has a right to

his last rites" she left the room in a quick stride leaving them alone for a moment

Sakura nodded as she bit her lower lip trying to keep tears from escaping, he

coughed, "you in any pain?" she shook his head, "your so beautiful if only…if

only we got to be together for awhile longer" Sakura rushed to his bedside, "Shhhh

don't talk like that we'll be together" Kazuki smiled his voice was raspy, "I am

dieing honey" he took her hand, "I have already come to terms with reality"

"no" her voice sounded like a strangled kitten, Kazuki smiled, "please honey I want

my last memory to be happy not me keeling over and you crying" he wiped her tears

coughing harshly he tried to smile again, but he was too weak.

"the next time I saw him a priest was over him with a prayer book open I wanted to cry,

but I steeled myself and forced myself to go in for Kazuki, I kneeled by his ear and

whispered 'I love you' he said 'I love you too' then he was gone his hand clasped over

mine he went peacefully" Sasuke looked at me, "that's awful" I nodded, "the only men

who know of him are you and my father, I haven't told a soul" Sasuke reached over and

tenderly kissed me, emotions ran through me that I had long thought I had lost the day

Kazuki died….

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