||| [T] h e [C] a f e |||^Itachi Uchiha^|||-Chapter Eleven-

Chapter Eleven: Forgiveness

"A mere friend will agree with you, but a real friend will argue."
Russian Proverb

~*~

Mariko tugged on pair of dark washed skinny jeans as she attempted to not rip her black wrap around sweater. She also topped it off with a thin blood red scarf and slipped on a pair of silver ballet flats, and since it was a special occasion she patted her face with bronzer and eye shadow. In the end she went all out with her makeup, a Smokey eye with red lipstick, foundation and blush. There was just one thing wrong. Her hair, and when it came to her hair,

It was like going through a forest without any map.

So she pulled it back in a clip and had two strands hang on each side of her check. Glancing at herself one last time she sighed and ignore her flaws as she ran down her stairs to fetch her keys and refill misuki's kitty food dishes.

She quickly locked her door and took a deep breath as she saw the man from the corner of her eye pull at his pants. He wore a white button down blouse and black dress pants. She smiled as she pretended not to notice him, heading straight for the bridge. She pulled out a cigarette from her pocket as she lit it and took a deep breath and inhaled the exotic scent.

She hated it,

But...she was stressing so relied on a bad habit to take her out of her misery. She looked up into the sky as she leaned against the barrier of the bridge. She smiled and looked behind her.

"Hi." She said as formally as she could, damn he smells good!

"Hi." He replied back, "We should get going."

She nodded and fallowed along beside him like a lost puppy.

They ate at the same restaurant, ordered the same food, but it was quiet this time until Mariko couldn't stand it anymore.

"Where were you?" She put down her fore and folded her hands in her lap. Waiting for a long line of excuses.

"My parents died." He said flatly.

Eyes locking

"Oh, I-I...I'm so sorry to hear that. I should have never-." He interrupted.

"It's fine really, don't worry about any of it."

"What village are you originally from?"

"Konoha." Itachi folded his hands and kept a poker face.

"Really?" She took a bite of her spring roll and swallowed, "I heard it was really nice there. Peaceful."

She drifted off to her own world, "I always wanted to travel."

Itachi said nothing.

"Onda, please tell me what it's like."

"Peaceful." She smirked.

"And?"

"Nice."

He took a bite of his spring roll.

"Do you travel? Or do you just have some business in Iwa?"

'Why does she talk so much, does it make her feel less nervous?' Itachi thought.

"Onda?"

"Hn..."

"Have you heard about the Tsuchikage. His death wasn't too long ago. Some say it was suicide but I highly doubt it. It just seems so strange."

Itachi nodded as he wiped his hands on a cloth, "Tell me what you're thinking."

"Me? Well, it's stupid and I have no proof but the Akatsuki weren't here just too long ago, maybe they had something to do with it."

"I doubt it." Mariko bit her lip, "They are only after the jinchuuriki, right?"

"Yes but what about the Kazekage in the sand?"

"He was a host."

"Really, that explains a lot." She let out an unease laugh and then sighed, "I'm such an idiot."

Itachi said nothing as he watched her bring herself esteem down.

"Can I tell you the truth?" He nodded. She took a deep breath.

"Here's the thing, I've never actually been out with a guy before, and I'm extremely nervous and all that and I'm probably being such a fool. Gawd I don't know what's wrong with me and-" She said really quickly before receiving a half smile from him, "Do you think I am pathetic."

"No." He said sternly, "I do not,"

"Do you believe in first impressions?"

"Depends on how you meet the person." Itachi found the waitress from across the room staring at him and then finally asked for the bill.

They spoke a bit more about life, and then both of them found themselves outside in the cold, talking the night away. They found a bench and chatted there for a few hours.

They talked about life, their favourite things, and family.

"Since then she had pneumonia and hasn't left the hospital since." Mariko looked into the sky, "I just wish she could get better soon, but sometimes wishes don't always come true."

"I'm sorry," Itachi also looked into the sky. Something about her interested him in so many ways. He was starting to understand her.

She continued to talk while he listened.

Some how he felt normal around her, like he could be himself without feeling guilt.

"So what about you." Then his leader's words came to mind, 'you can go as long as you keep your presence on a low ground.'

"It's dawn now, I actually have to get going."

Mariko puckered her lower lip, "Awwwww.....Okay."

He stood up. "Shouldn't you get some sleep?"

"Nah, It's over rated."

"Says you." They both chuckled. "I'm serious, take the day off work, you can do that right?"

"But I won't get paid as much, plus I'm trying to keep up a good reputation or something like that."

"Um hum. Money's over rated, not sleep."

"Okay, Mr. Onda. I will get some sleep on one condition."

"What is it Mariko?" He said calmly as he crossed his arms.

"Come back on Friday, for sure okay. You have to promise." She sniffed.

"Umm maybe."

"I don't want a maybe I want a yes."

"Okay then, Yes. I promise." She held up her pinky.

"Swear, or you'll be damned to hell eternally." She snickered.

"That's some pretty deep words there."

"Hn." She grunted as he swore with his pinky.

And with that he was gone.

Just like last time.
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A/N

I also wonder when Itachi will tell her.

Thanks for reading...