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

Chapter Twenty Five: Friends

"Do not believe in anything simply because you have heard it."~Buddha

Mariko's Pov

I shifted on my feet awkward before reaching over and grabbing Kyou's wrist. He tensed.

"I'm going to talk to him for a second. I need to explain to him a few things." & I began to lead Kyou into the kitchen. Deidara stood in front of the door way, his arms were crossed confidently in front of his chest. "In private."

"Whatever un." Deidara muttered from under his breath before moving out of the way. When I knew he couldn't hear us I let go of Kyou and turned around to face him.

"I know this seems a bit..." I began to think of words I could use, but Kyou had volunteered to help me.

"Felonious, Illegal, stupid? There is a few suggestions. What the hell is an S-class criminal doing here?" He didn't give me enough time to respond, "You are insane. Do you not know what the Tsuchikage will do to you when they find out?"

"He won't!"

"And how do you know this exactly." There was something embedded in his eyes that I just couldn't figure out. I knew I would be angry in his situation, especially after finding out that a close friend was actually just as un loyal to ones country as a criminal.

Un loyal…

The thought began to churn in my mind,

Something about it made me feel internally sick.

Was I turning into my brother?

No, it's only a boyfriend…

Only…a boyfriend.

"Look, I don't know what to do? He just showed up randomly at my house and-."

"Really?" He quirked a brow.

My eyes began to wonder to the floor, "I'm sorry Kyou."

He took a deep breath, "How is this so random? I don't understand what an Akatsuki member-."

I had pulled him into a huge hug. At first he was stiff, but then loosened up and soon enough wrapped his arms around my back. It wasn't one of those 'romantic' hugs that lovers would give to each other, but one of close friends. Friends who haven't spoken to each other in a long time. I knew that I hadn't exactly been on 'earth', but the touch of Kyou, had made me realise that I was now back. Back and home…

It was quiet for a few minutes before Kyou spoke.

"Mariko…I just want you to know that…I love you…"

I was speechless.

I just want…

You know that…

I love you…?

"I like you too as a friend." My checks began to turn a dark shade of red; He didn't mean love like couples, but friend's right…Right?

"No I mean…I-I-I l-love y-you. S-since the first time I e-ever met you, I always had a c-crush. Who couldn't...?" He stuck his hand in his pocket and pulled out a crinkled letter. "Your figure…your eyes…your smile…your personality…Everything about you is so admirable. I tried to tell you at work a few times, but you were busy with customers and…I wanted it to be special. That's why I was here in the first place. With the muffins…"

"Kyou I…I don't…" Our moment was interrupted by the sound of clapping. I looked up at Kyou who seemed to have gone ridged. I fallowed his eyes to two figures; one was Deidara and the other…

"Who the hell are you?" Kyou's eyes leaked with an unreadable expression.

"Hasn't Kain told you? I'm her boyfriend…" His eyes shot hate at the boy I embraced. I released my grip from Kyou who cocked his chin towards the cross armed figure. As if to say is he joking?

I ignored him and took a step closer to the Uchiha.

"How could you." He turned his charcoal eyes to me and spoke bitterly. I watched as he turn on his right heel and stalk out of the room. The blonde fallowed behind him, a devious smile played upon his lips.

I was going to correct him. Tell him that it wasn't what he saw. Kyou and I were just friends. But all I could muster was a pathetic whisper.

'Wait.'

I felt my heart sink deeper into my chest with every step he took. The door slammed behind him and I cringed. My body chilled and my throat ached.

"Mariko." A male voice had brought me out of the trance, "Y-your dating one of them?"

I heard the sadness in his voice. I knew he didn't want to believe it. Hell, I didn't even want to believe it…but there was no use lying.

"Yes." I murmured.

I heard him breath in and out and watched as he pushed past me. I waited to hear the door slam behind him as he left, but it never did.

It took a few seconds for my body to regain composure. It was if I had just felt the first stab of a blade in my chest knowing that there was more to come. I didn't know whether I had hate for Kyou for showing up or for Itachi. I didn't know if I was allowed to cry, or know if it was necessary to scream. All I knew is that there was one option left for me to do. It was something that I haven't done in ten years. And that something required the tiny bit of strength I had left.

What I did was run.