Hey everyone. This is the last chapter. I'm kind of sad to see the character dynamics go, but I do imagine I'll write more stories involving a convoluted version of relations here. I don't own Naruto, you silly gits. Please take the time to review. Much appreciated.

"There is sacredness in tears. They are not the mark of weakness but of power. They are messengers of overwhelming grief and of unspeakable love." Washington Irving

It had been a week since Sasuke and being at the swings. Sakura had decided to take a week break from everything, including the Akatsuki. She had to find herself again and dressed in a pair of old blue jeans and a red t-shirt, she felt comfortable and more like who she was before everything else happened. It was Saturday and the clouds were overhead, a threat of rain but not quite ready to pour yet. It was as if they were waiting for an opportunity.

There was however, this ache in her chest that just wouldn't go away and when she thought of all of the good times that she and Sasuke had, tears stung at her eyes. So she found herself at the park, alone because everyone else feared they might get caught in the downpour. She sat on a bench, staring up at the dreary cloud-covered sky. The ache intensified as she thought of that wretched expression he wore that day; one of smug self-satisfaction. His tone of voice echoed in her ears; condescending and eating away at her.

She couldn't stop the first tear that rolled down her cheek, and it dropped to her thigh as the first raindrop fell from the sky and touched her forehead. She hiccoughed, and the rain grew steadier as a roll of thunder clapped across the sky. She thought of how happy Sasuke was with her and how she felt so warm with him. She remembered every rare smile that he gave her and every kiss they shared. She cried harder as lightning flashed across the sky.

She was slowly getting soaked to the bone and her tears were mixing with the rain. She pulled her knees to her chest, and continued to cry so that each breath was shaky and each crying whimper felt like it was ripped from her. Shivers wracked her body as she sat on the bench, and she knew she'd have a runny nose tomorrow.

She heard the crunch of a stick in front of her and she quieted immediately, taking quick bursts of breath in and out. When she lifted her tear-streaked face to recognize Itachi standing in front of her, she started crying again. She let him slowly lift her from the bench, making her stand but mostly letting her lean her weight on him. His arms supported her under her shoulders, hands settling comfortingly on her lower back and rubbing in circles.

She buried her head in his shoulder and hiccoughed again, trying to find solace in the warmth of his embrace. Her whole body shook from tremors of emotion and the cold. He held her for a very long time, until she was breathing almost normally and she was only shaking from the cold. She lifted her head and leaned away to look up into his eyes.

His expression was of sadness, but also it seemed as if something were burning behind his eyes. He gently kissed the sensitive skin under her each of her eyes, lingering over her nose and pulling away only slightly so that their breath intermingled.

Blood came to Sakura's cheeks against her will and the corners of Itachi's lips curled upwards. "H-hi, Itachi," She greeted, her voice hoarse from her emotional outburst.

"Sakura," He returned; voice warm like melted chocolate. "I think it's time you stopped grieving for him." His hold tightened as she stiffened, and then felt her relax.

"But it still feels like it should hurt so much." She answered softly, and was surprised as he moved an arm to reach in his Akatsuki cloak, producing a handkerchief for her. He let her wipe most of the tears and snot from her face before watching her fold it and slip it into her pocket. Then he pulled her forward into a hug and let her bury her freezing face into his comparatively hot neck.

"It'll pass, but I think it helps to have someone to help you with it." He replied, letting the rumble of his tenor voice lull her a bit more. The rain seemed to let up a little more, to a sedate pattering. The thunder and lightning seemed to have calmed. "Would you care to have tea at my house and warm up?" He felt her stiffen and shivered as her nose nuzzled at his neck. "My extremely foolish little brother won't be home, he's gone over to his voracious best friend's house." He commented, feeling her relax once more in her arms, "I also find that tea can help with almost anything."

He was gratified to hear her let out a sound of bemusement and he adjusted to let her pull back. "Tea sounds wonderful," She murmured, some of the life in her emerald eyes returning. He let her see the rare smile that he always saved for her. Then he leaned forward, pressing his warm lips to her cool ones.

He was kissing her in the rain. Sakura knew that it was rather cliché and yet, she still very much enjoyed it. There was a hunger there, but he was kissing her with heart-breaking gentleness. When they pulled away, his eyes seemed to burn and Sakura was getting warmer.

She leaned on her toes and pressed a teasing kiss to the corner of his mouth. "Are kisses helpful too?" She asked, tilting her head to the side childishly.

Itachi seemed to consider it for a moment before pressing his lips chastely against hers and pulling away. He observed how much better she seemed now and realized that he was so much less tense now. "Yes, kisses are helpful too." He concluded, watching as she gave him a shy smile. As the rain stopped, and the sun broke out of the clouds for the first time that day, the two of them walked to his car to go have tea. And somehow, the two of them knew that things would be alright. They would get through this together.