"Sakura-chan!" a deep voice called to a pink-haired Kunoichi.

The pink-haired girl turned in search of the one that called her. A smile graced the female's lips when she recognized the usual stoic man walking to her.

"Itachi-kun." She greeted the dark-haired man.

The man nodded his head to her. Reverting to the quiet man everyone knows. Well, except for her. She knows that behind that tough exterior that Itachi shows to everyone, he is very sweet and caring man inside.

"Sakura," his head turned to the side to examine the girl. He noted that behind the sparkle in her eyes, she looked... tired.

"How is your day?" Sakura asked as she fall into step beside him. They walked into the streets of Konoha.

"It's fine. The usual. Missions and report." Itachi answered.

Sakura rolled her eyes. Of course, she knows about his mission. Itachi made sure to see her before he left two days ago. She fingered the necklace with cherry blossom and crow pendant that he gave her.

"Of course. You and your missions. You've been taking missions left and right, Itachi. It's a wonder how you can be so composed."

Itachi cocked his eyebrow at the words his girlfriend said. "Well, I can say the same thing about you, Sakura. Medical ninjutsu is not without its complicated theories and application."

The woman wrinkled her nose and playfully poked the man on his side. "At least I am healing wounds not inflicting them."

Itachi just shrugged his shoulders as a response. They walked quietly for a while until they reached the park where they met for the first time years ago.

"Sakura." he said, his voice low. He knows that he must inform her. But what if Sakura is getting tired of him leaving frequently for missions?

Sakura looked at him, confusion is evident in her eyes.

"I have to tell you something. I have a mission that will take me out of the village for a long time."

Sakura is expecting him to say that he will leave for a mission again, although he just came back from one. The only thing that surprised her is that he is leaving for an extended mission. She tried to keep the sadness and disappointment from her voice.

"How long is long?" Sakura asked.

"Two months in the least, maybe more." He answered not meeting her emerald orbs.

"But you will come back, right?" Sakura's voice is laced with worry.

Itachi smiled at the woman. "I will." he answered as he holds her hand.

Sakura felt a mix of emotions as she looked at Itachi. The news of his extended mission weighed on her heart, but she knew better than to let her worries overwhelm the moment.

"Promise me you'll stay safe, Itachi-kun," she said, her emerald eyes searching his onyx ones for reassurance.

Itachi nodded, his expression serious. "I promise, Sakura. I'll do everything in my power to return safely."

She smiled, a bit of sadness still lingering in her eyes. "Just make sure to come back to me. I'll be waiting."

Itachi gripped Sakura's hand tightly for a moment. "I will, Sakura-chan. You mean a lot to me." he said while staring at the woman's emerald orbs.

He opened Sakura's hand and place something on her hand. He made her hand close around the object.

"I'll return to your side. Hopefully, by that time, you're already wearing that."

Sakura opened her hand and stared at the ornate silver ring that nestled at her palm.

"Itachi, is this..." Sakura's green eyes widened as she stared at the ring.

Itachi nodded. "Its a promise that I will fulfill after this mission. I will return to you." He closed her palm again. "I'm not asking you to give your answer now. You can think about it. Remember that whatever your answer will be, I will always be here for you. I will wait until you're ready. But if you are already wearing that in my return, I know the answer. And if something happens to me in this mission, know that I intend to give you, my name. In my eyes, you're an Uchiha. No one can take that ring away from you. It's the symbol of my love for you."

Sakura stood there; her heart caught in a whirlwind of emotions. The weight of Itachi's words hung in the air, and the silver ring in her hand seemed to carry the gravity of a promise and a declaration of love.

"Itachi," she whispered, her voice a mix of vulnerability and gratitude. "I don't know what to say."

He gently touched her cheek, his thumb wiping away a stray tear that had escaped her eye. "You don't have to say anything now. Just keep it safe, and when I return, we'll talk about our future."

Sakura nodded; her heart warmed by his understanding. They stood in the park, surrounded by the beauty of cherry blossoms, sharing a moment that transcended words.

"Take care of yourself, Itachi-kun," she finally said, her voice steady despite the emotions swirling within her.

"I will, Sakura-chan," he replied, leaning down to kiss her forehead. "I'll be back."

As Itachi turned to leave, Sakura watched him go, a mixture of love and worry etched across her features. She clutched the silver ring in her hand, feeling its cool metal against her skin.

With the promise of his return and the symbol of his love, Sakura waited beneath the cherry blossoms, knowing that their connection would endure the challenges ahead. The park, where they had first met, now held the echoes of a promise that would shape their future.