~I feel so weird writing a beginning like this. Itachi isn't a big part of my story; rather he's the motivation for my character who will eventually find true love later. Also, the whole thing I write about " I like You," is just separating the experience she has now compared to later when she'll get to say "I love you". I wanted the difference since right now doesn't really count. It's jus'puppy love. :]

We stayed like that for a long time. Me sobbing, him hugging. For the first time in my life I felt cared for. I felt… loved. My crying eventually stopped, and I pulled away. My eyes were now a bit swollen. 'I bet I look horrible.' I walked over to the counter and found a towel to wipe my face.

"Reiko.." He said as he walked over to me. I froze and blushed as it was the very first time he had said my name, "Humans.. Kings, queens, ninjas, villagers, you, and me are equal in worth. You aren't any more or less important than anybody else. The people of this town don't understand that. The 'you' they see and the 'you' I see are different." He tried to comfort me through my tears, "Don't ever let their words of harm get to you. Don't think on it or let it affect you. It is just the lonely thoughts of this broken world we live in." He stood behind me and placed his hands on my waist. "Also.. Having a Bijuu inside of you doesn't change my opinion of you." He placed his cheek on my head, "I like you."

'W-What?' "You.. L-Like me?" I had to remind myself to breath, I had forgotten since I was in an adrenalin shock.

"Very much" '.. Very much.'

"I-Itachi.." I turn to face him, my swollen black eyes to his black onyx. He removed his hands from my waist, cupped my face, and leaned in to bring our foreheads together. We stayed like that for a moment; an inch between our lips. Never braking contact with each other's' eyes, and.. I couldn't. Even if I tried.

Feeling his breath on my lips, he slowly began to kiss me. I had never kissed before. 'This is.. Wonderful. This is.. Love.' I threw my arms around his neck and began to press into the kiss even more. Pouring all of my emotions into one kiss. 'I love him. I love him! I want him for my own. I don't care if selfishness over takes me. I want all of him.'

Morning came. I woke up to feel Itachi breathing beside me. I took the opportunity to run my pale fingers over his perfectly sculpted biceps, waking him up.

He ran his fingers gently through my hair, "Good morning."

"Good morning," I answered back as I rolled over next to him. I sat up and I looked over at him, observing how he peered into my eyes with such feeling. As if.. He really did love me, so I believed him, "What would you like for breakfast?"

"I don't care. I'm not really hungry." He mumbled. I giggled at his anti-morning-person reply. Sliding to the edge of the futon, off I went to the kitchen.

Preparing a good breakfast of some kind would be difficult since I had little food in the first place. 'Hmm.. what does Itachi like?' I entered the kitchen and didn't see him. I peeked outside and saw him throwing kunai at a tree outside my cottage. He saw me and waved, I skipped over to him and pecked his cheeks, hugging him with all my might, "I like you."

"I like you too." He returned; and with that I ran inside to start fixing breakfast.

During breakfast, he told me he had to go back to Konoha and his family. He also told me he had a younger brother, nine years old. He stood up and said it was time for him to leave. Sadness appeared evident on my face, "Sorry.." He said as he watched me sulk

"I-I'll make you a return-journey-lunch!" I hopped up and hurried to the counter. He laughed at my perkiness. I quickly threw some rice balls together and placed them in the little bento box I had given him earlier.

He walked over and placed his hands on my hips just like last night. After hugging me a little, he took the bento box from my hand, walked over to the door, and turned around for a last glance, "I'll be back."

I smiled and said, "I'll be waiting."

Five months went by, and no visits from Itachi. He was all I could really think about. Life was so boring without him. He had a family and a country to serve. He can't spend all his time with me, but… 'Maybe the next time he visits, he'll take me with him to come live with him in Konoha!' The ideas made me want to jump and start cooking something.

Later that day, coming home from the grocery store, I ran into an old man. He looked like a traveler, of sorts with a walking stick and long ancient beard dangling in front of him, "Excuse me, miss," He said with an aged voice that croaked of lung cancer.

"Yes?" I stopped in my tracks and listened for a moment. Mainly, I was shocked he dare even speak with me, 'what's his problem?'

"The relationship between you and a young man named Itachi has been passed throughout the village, did you know? He was seen at your house many times."

"..Um" I began, totally shocked of the words that came out of his mouth.

"Well anyways, they say that he will be cursed if he stays with you much longer. That you should distance yourself from him if you truly love him." 'What is he saying?'

"No! He's not getting cursed. You people should feel ashamed for thinking such thoughts!" I pouted and marched past him. 'I don't give a crap what those people think. Their all wrong. They don't understand.'

"Ugh!" I entered my house with violent era. Stomped my way to bed without dinner, and pouted on the edge, "Why hasn't he come?" 'Did he forget? Does he truly like me?' Such thoughts brought tears to my eyes. That night I cried myself to sleep.

Waking up to someone banging on the front door, I glanced at my watch that said 2am and ran to the back door. 'Wait, wait, wait… the back door? Who would come to the back door? And it's raining outside!' The thunder had made me jump on the way there, making the scenario seam all the more scary.

I opened the door to find Itachi standing in the rain drenched, "Itachi!"

He stumbled into the kitchen, very unlike him to stumble. I ran to get a towel and wipe him off. "Reiko!" He yelled. He's never yelled before either.

His projecting voice scared me. "W-What's wrong Itachi?!"

He stood up and grabbed my shoulders to shake me. "I did it! I had to!" He nearly screamed into my face.

Tears ran down my face. I was so frightened, it was like he was insane or something.. "What happened?! What did you do?!"

"I killed them.. I did. It was my mission, I had to."

Frozen by the word 'killed', I grabbed Itachi's hand and pulled him into the bathroom, "You'll catch a cold like that!" I grabbed his vest and unzipped it. 'It might be a good idea to distract him from whatever is eating at him.' "Give me your kunai pouch." And he did.

I ripped off most of his clothes and gave him a towel to shower with, "Use this." My demand sounded a little harsh. I was getting a little hasty.

"I cannot stay here." His eyes drifted to the floor with sadness.

"Why not?" I looked at him intensely. 'What's going on Itachi?'

"I'm a rogue ninja now."

"Rogue?" A shiver went down my spine. It could have been from the word, or it could have been from the cold draft let into my home, who knows.

"Yes."

"What happened?" 'What could have possibly happened? Itachi isn't rogue.'

"I killed my clan," He exhaled his answer, "It was my mission."

"Your entire clan?!" Horrified at his reply.

"All but Sasuke," He exhaled his answer again, he seemed very out of breath. He must have run for a long time to get here, "I couldn't bring myself to kill him. But I killed my mother and father.. My best friend…" He said as tears welled up in his eyes, "What have I done?" 'Who is Sasuke?' My thoughts and questions increased.

He stood there as tears of guilt and regret slid down his face. I couldn't do anything. I had nothing to say; I was speechless. 'Who would kill their entire clan just for a mission?' "All.. For a mission?" I questioned him in horror, unable to stop the harsh words from coming out.

"Yes.. The Hokage and Elders ordered me to do so. My clan was a threat and they thought I could handle the job. I failed my mission due to leaving my brother alive," His tears stopped and he looked as the drying tears on my face, "I have to go."

"Why?!" I ran after him as he grabbed his things and exited the bathroom. "Stay here! Stay hidden, with me.." I reached my arms around his torso and buried my face into his back, "I like you, so don't leave me." I sobbed.

"Word will get out that I killed my clan and that I'm a rogue ninja. This could put you in a dangerous position if anyone finds out I'm with you."

"Oh!" I gasped. 'That old man earlier.. He said that the villagers have noticed him meeting here.' He put his wet clothes back on and headed for the back door. "Itachi,"

"Yes..?" He said as he finished redressing himself and turned to face me.

"I-I like.. You." I tried to speak with a choking lump in my throat.

He walked towards me and kissed my forehead, "I like you too," He paused and looked into my eyes, "I will never see you again. I won't risk your safety." His words were like knives piercing my heart. He opened the back door and left into the raining darkness. I stood there staring at the door. 'Why? Why won't my legs move? Why aren't I running after him? Itachi…'

'Itachi.. Where are you going? Why are you doing these things? Killing people you love. Coming to me, then leaving me. Will I ever see you again?' These unanswered questions clawed at my heart. And all I can do, is stand here and cry. He's gone.

He's gone.

Two months dragged by. The slowest eight months of my life. He was gone and is still gone. Forever.. Gone. I had been thinking recently, and a long time ago I had heard of another Jinchuriki in the Country of Lightning from villagers that complained about there being far too many Jinchuriki in the Country of Lightning. And lately, after being so depressed, and crying myself to sleep every night, I wanted to do something with my life. Become a ninja. Protect my home country. Have an existence necessary to this world. To build the strength and find Itachi..

I finished packing my small bag of food, clothes, and some kunai Itachi gave me last year. Walking outside my front door, I looked back and sighed. "It's about time." I turned and started my journey to find the Jinchuriki I had heard about before, the eight tails.

The small amount of money my family left for me has helped me save up for this trip, so I could buy food along the way if needed. While I went through towns to stop for food, I would ask people about the Jinchuriki; where he lived, and such. I found one old man that knew where he lived and he gave me directions there. The directions were easy and I was able to find my way to the eight tails home. In misty mountains, it was peaceful walking along the bridge leading to his temple-like-home. I reached the temple within one and a half days. The Lightning Country isn't too terribly big..

His temple was on top of a mountain; as were everything else. I approached the temple and paused when I heard talking. I walked towards the entrance and saw him behind the shadows, "Who that? Yeah."

"… Um." He gave off an interesting greeting. His voice had a strange rhythmic sound when he spoke.

"Speak up, yo. You're disturbing my training. Yeah."

Annoyed at his musical way of talking I spoke up, "I'm Hatake Reiko," I bent over and bowed "It's nice to meet you!" I projected so my voice could reach him behind the shadows. He walked out, into the sun and I got a good look at him. He was huge! He must be seven feet tall; twice my size. He had white hair like mine, very tan skin, and a shiny new pair of sunglasses.

"What'a you want, yo. Wanna fight, kid?!" He pulled out a sword and pointed it at me.

"No! Just the opposite! I want you to teach me to fight!" I yelled, holding my fists in the air with excitement, hopefully to show how serious I was.

"Hmmmmmmm," He hummed for a moment, "Nope." 'Ugh! He's so mean!'

"Eh?! But I came all this way to meet you! I want to learn ninjutsu, please help me!" I begged. Compared to him I sounded so small and week. I was desperate to learn and to be accepted.

"My bro is Raikage, yeah. You can go ta him for help. But I ain't helping nobody, yeah." He put away his sword and began walking back into his massive temple building.

"Yes sir.." I stumbled on my way to the town I had just visited, in search for the Raikage; the leader of the Lightning country. The village was filled with ninjas, unlike my small little town. I had asked the people in the street to which building I could find the Raikage. They pointed to a tall giant temple-like structure, taking me ten minutes to get there. It was a nice village, very big, had lots of restaurants, and a feeling of protection.

After a while of walking, I arrived at the Raikage tower and made my way inside. It was easy to get lost in its largeness, but a ninja escorted me to the Raikage's office. Inside were lots of windows that gave a great view of the village below, "Come in!" A voice yelled, and made me jump.

"Hello." I started, confused by the fact everybody keeps yelling when they talk. It was a very different culture from what I was used to. Everyone here spoke with power and confidence.

"Hurry up, I haven't all day." He urged, as I came around the corner to face him. He was huge too! 'My gosh! What do these people eat?! Jeez.'

"H-Hello. Um.. I'd like to become your student!" I started up with the exciting, hopeful sounding voice and bowing to honor his position. 'Pleeeeease say yes!' I begged in my thoughts.

"Bahahahahaha!" He laughed at me. 'What the heck?' "And what's your name, kid?" He wiped a laughing tear from his eye and leaned closer to me to get a better look.

"Hatake Reiko! Please teach me ninjutsu!"

"Hm. And where are you from?" He tried to unravel my mystery.

"A town about a day south from here."

"Ahhh.. 'that' town" Ee said, 'Eh? 'that' town? What about 'that' town?' "You got money to pay for training?"

"Absolutely nothing!" I yelled back in all honesty, inspired by his energetic yelling, "When will I be able to start training with you?!"

"Ahahahahah!" He belched out another laugh, "So you think I'll be your teacher, eh?!" His loud talking was a bit scary and made me flinch a lot.

"I hope so! Please teach me yourself." I begged. 'Dear God, please, please, please let him teach me!'

"Well.." He thought for a moment, "I think I will." A long silence fell between us. There was a crazy build up to whether he'd yes or not, "I won't go easy on ya just because you're a kid, okay?" He warned and stroked his long and white mustache.

"Yes!" I squeaked, excited that I was accepted into his studentship; to become his pupil. 'This… Will be awesome. Just wait for me Itachi! I'll be coming back for you!'

~There we go :D Gimmie some comments please! I love me some critique! It's my first year writing so bring it on!