A Kiss Between Friends Chapter 1: An Unforgiving Heart, a naruto fanfic

Disclaimer: Masashi Kishimoto is on short hiatus right now, working with the manga. So I'm going to borrow the characters from his famous masterpiece, Haruno Sakura and Uchiha Itachi. However, I won't be returning the characters any time soon. I still need them until I finish at least 15 more stories before I could relinquish my hold on them.

Full Summary: Sakura had never had her first kiss and she just turn 17 eight months ago. Her best friend, however choose to be MIA, thus triggering Sakura's explosive temper. Could a few consolation gifts placate her wrath? Or could a chaste kiss do it? After all, it was just a kiss between friends right?

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"A Kiss Between Friends"

Romance/ Friendship

Itachi and Sakura

Rated T

Chapter 1

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"No Greater Treasure"

Being her friend, I do not covet gold,

Save for royal gift to give her pleasure;

To sit with her, and have her hand to hold,

Is wealth, I think, surpassing minted treasure.

---John Masefield

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(AN: This is a non-massacre AU. This story does not follow the time line of Naruto. A short summary to this AU is provided underneath, so please read it before you proceed to the story. And you also have to read Itch first since you would just confuse yourself. This is a special sequel to Itch since Dance of Seduction is still in progress. I'm also currently working on the new chapters to my stories as well as my new stories. Though I could not be finish it soon.)

Summary: Haruno Sakura the daughter of a civilian parent work a part time job on her family's Candy Shop while studying in Konoha University for a nursing degree. She has a best friend name Uchiha Itachi, he was a shinobi of their Village and an Anbu at that, though she only knew little about him. Itch-kun, that's what she calls him when he came to visit her, was a very quite person. He seldom uses words to express his feelings, and had often used flower languages and gem symbols to express his apologies and his gift during her birthdays.

The first present that she had received from him was a blue periwinkle. She had just turn 4 years old and Itachi had sneaked in to her bedroom to give the flower to her. She was still an ignorant child at that time. The flower that her Itch-kun had given to her was destroyed, all the blue petals scattered on the carpet floor after she had played with it in enthusiasm.

Itachi had been dismayed. He had tried to save the flowers but it was already irrevocably destroyed. It was later then that she had found out what the flower had meant. Itachi had bought her a book about the language of flowers and had taught her some of flower meanings before she could learn to read and comprehend the written words for herself. One of the flowers that Itachi had taught her was the blue periwinkle, which had meant "Early Friendship."

Of course, Sakura had never understood it until later, when Itachi had become a secret part of her life, sneaking into her room and watching over her.

At four years old, Sakura had never even thought that her Itch-kun was there without her parent's knowledge. She had not reach the age of forming concrete thoughts and able to observe the situation without getting confused between fantasy and reality. So she was just glad that he was there. Sakura may even have thought of him as an imaginary friend at some point, but it was all in the past.

Sakura had gotten used to his presence; his visits usually fall on Wednesday or Saturday and all of it was done after dusk. He also visits her during special occasion such as her birthday, Halloween, Christmas, New Year and rarely on Valentines Day. He would drop down for a short while to leave her gift and then immediately took off to spend time with his family and she suspected his girlfriend. But during her birthdays, Itachi would spend hours with her; only leaving when she fell asleep after watching some boring movie or something like that. Itachi was sweet and she was grateful that he was her friend.

Though he hadn't been a very good friend lately since he forgot to come to her 17th birthday or give her a gift. That was why Haruno Sakura had stayed angry with him for the past eight months.

Itachi did not only forget her Birthday, but her existence as well since he hadn't stopped by for months.

They hardly ever see each other in public, and when they do. Itachi would give her a small smile before leaving to do his Ninja duties. It was annoying really, the only one who knew about their friendship was Itachi's other best friend and cousin, Uchiha Shisui. They had been introduced once, and Sakura liked him a lot, albeit she was jealous of him because Itachi spend more time with him than with her.

Itachi had never talked about his family, except for the occasional tidbits here and there but nothing too personal. She knew that Itachi's brother was the same age as her, and a member of Team Kakashi. Itachi had also talked about his mother, mostly about her cooking and her knack for flower arrangement. The only missing piece was Itachi's father. Her silent friend had kept quite about him. Never divulging any information about him, but when he mentions his father's name, it was of utmost respect.

Sakura had thought that maybe Itachi's father was probably dead.

She had thought wrong.

Uchiha Fugaku was in fact very much alive and breathing down Itachi's neck.

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"Itachi, I heard that you are seeing a civilian woman" Uchiha Fugaku stated seriously, his arms crossed in front of him as he looked penetratingly at his 21 year old son.

They were sitting in the zabuton, seiza style. Itachi was sitting opposite to his father and mother, his face blank.

He did not respond to his father's statement.

"Someone saw you entered the woman's house through the balcony" his mother stiffened at the words, her head whipping to look at her husband before her eyes landed back on him.

"What's this, Itachi?" Uchiha Mikoto asked, scanning her son's blank face. "You have taken a lover and cheating on your girlfriend?"

Itachi froze at the accusation.

"You wouldn't do that, do you Itachi?" Mikoto asked almost pleadingly.

Itachi shook his head, his eyes closed.

"Ie" Itachi responded, slowly fluttering his eyes open to stare at his parents. "I have remain loyal to Inoue-chan, Oka-san"

"Then who was the woman you were seeing, Itachi?" his father asked him, still watching him closely.

Itachi directly responded, his eyes not wavering from his father's gaze.

"She's a friend of mine"

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"Dividing Troubles"

If the while I think on thee, dear friend,

All losses are restored and sorrows end.

---William Shakespeare

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"Sakura? Are you alright?" the blue-haired woman asked her friend, who had spaced off while she had ranted about her date yesterday; the seventeen year old teen remain silent, her malachite orbs thoughtful.

"Sakura!" the petal haired girl jerked her head in surprise. She stared at her friend who was scowling at her.

"You haven't been listening to me." Mesume scolded her.

"Gomen, Mesume-chan," Sakura said, giving the 20 year old an apologetic smile. "I was just thinking something."

"Obviously." The blue haired woman stated with a hint of sarcasm.

It soon disappeared as her eyes sparkled with curiosity. Showing how Sakura's friend was a first degree bipolar.

"What were you thinking?" The woman asked, eyes intent.

Sakura was silent, malachite eyes fixed on her new friend for the past months.

"Don't tell me. Let me guess," Mesume interrupted before she could reply. "It's about you're boyfriend isn't it?"

Sakura was taken aback from the question and gaped at her friend, stupefied.

"Boyfriend?" Sakura asked looking surprised. Then she immediately recovered.

"I don't have a boyfriend." Sakura stated blandly, directing a frown towards her friend. Mesume frowned in return.

"But you said you have." The blue haired woman argued.

"No I haven't." Sakura firmly stated as she began to walk the streets of Konohagakure.

It was morning and the streets were bustling with many people as they set on their daily activities, buying groceries or just enjoying the warmth of November sun.

"Yes, you have!" Mesume insisted, glaring at Sakura's back as she walked away from her, the blue haired woman scrambled after her. "You told me that you've known him since you were three years old."

Sakura halted in her tracks while her friend had caught up with her.

"You even said that he hadn't kissed you yet after he made you his girlfriend."

"That's because it was just a lie." Sakura thought, recalling how she had envied Mesume's love life. The first time Sakura had met her, Mesume was always smiling with hearts glued on her eyes. Sakura had first thought her as just plainly moony while she had watched the woman work with her on the Haruno's candy shop. They had instantly become fast friends because of Mesume's radiant persona and Sakura's friendly smile.

After having Itachi as her only friend for years, Sakura welcome the idea of finding a friend of her gender almost instantly. It was a good change for Sakura. Though Itachi may have not lack anything from their friendship, but Sakura still needed some girl time where Itachi could not give her. The first time that she had her period at 12 years old, she had talked about it with Itachi, who had immediately left her room saying quietly that he had a meeting with someone.

Sakura had been oblivious at that time and had dismissed Itachi's unusual behavior as nothing severe. Not really knowing that telling a 17 year boy about a girl's flow was awkward and somewhat embarrassing to them. The second time around when she had her period, she had been moody and had snapped at Itachi when he had entered her room. Her black haired friend had asked what's wrong, and she had to bite her tongue before she had answered him.

"I'm having my period." Itachi seems to be made of frozen ice as he stared at the girl lying on the bed, her form curved into a fetal position, her small back to his; obviously in pain.

"So will you please leave me?" Sakura requested through gritted teeth her eyes closed as she grip the sheets on her bed, her face on her soft fluffy pillow while she continue to endure the violent cramps twisting on her stomach.

The 17 year old boy standing next the balcony had not moved a muscle, his gaze transfixed on the suffering girl.

Sakura had thought that he had left, since she hadn't heard any movement over her back. She had been surprise when she had felt the bed shift beside her, indicating that the black haired boy had decided to stay.

Sakura carefully rolled to the side to look at him, still curve on a fetal position, face crunched with pain.

"Why are you still here?" Sakura asked scowling at his reclining form on her small bed, her knees bumping against his leg while her face was close to his elbows as he crossed his arms in front of him, looking seemingly at home.

The 18 year old boy had remained silent and Sakura glared up at him, wanting to kick his relax stance. He was taking much space from her bed, making it difficult for her to lay down with her arms wrapped around protectively around her cramping stomach.

"Move." Sakura ordered as she flashed her flaring malachite eyes at him.

Itachi stared blankly at her, unmoving.

Sakura simmered, her volcanic temper boiling.

"I said move!" Sakura barked, her feet kicking his shin. The Uchiha gave her a withering stare and moved, though not out from the bed but to take the pillow underneath her.

Sakura's head flopped on the mattress as the pillow underneath her was suddenly gone. She jerked her head to glare but a hand heave her body up and her head was suddenly place back on her pillow.

Sakura stared at the legs stretched in front of her to the ninja shoes on her bed. Itachi was sitting on her bed with his feet crossed, her head lying on the pillow placed on his lap.

Sakura stared blankly at Itachi's navy pants as silence encompassed the room.

Sakura's eyes softened, a smile appearing on her lips as she draw her knees closed to her, brushing Itachi's legs. Her anger disappeared.

"Arigatou." Sakura whispered as she fluttered her eyes closed, smiling.

The 18 year old boy, who had been watching outside the balcony, turn towards the bundle of pink lying on his lap upon hearing the thanks.

Itachi stared at her before he resume staring outside in silence, the sun dipping from the horizon, showering orange and yellow streaks over Konoha.

Sakura's house was located at the center of Konoha, near their candy shop. Itachi had been informed by Sakura beforehand when they had moved from their old residence, so he had no skirmish when he had found her new house and then her room. There was a balcony in Sakura's room which would always be left open for him, and a flower pot where a geranium was placed on the balustrade. The flower that he had given to her when she had turn 8, a sign of their friendship.

The next day after that, Sakura had send a yellow Chrysanthemum to Itachi, asking the flower shop to deliver it to the Uchiha Compound for her black haired friend; though she hadn't been sure that Itachi had received it since he had not told her anything when he came to her.

Itachi had receive it alright when he had arrive home, his family having mistaken it from one of his fan girls, except for his mother who knew what it meant. Sasuke had been shocked that Itachi had placed it in his bedside table. The single flower with a red ribbon attached to it was proudly exhibited. His mother had thought that it had come from Shisui, but Itachi had not denied or accepted the claim. He had remained quite and ignored his brother's incredulous reaction and his father's curious gaze.

The flower had meant, "You're a wonderful friend", and Itachi was proud to have gained such possession.

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The following occasion when Sakura was having her period, Itachi would remain with her and keep her company through the pain, even enduring her moody attitude.

Itachi had been a great friend, but Sakura had to admit that having a 'boy-friend' would not compensate a girl to girl bonding. Yes, having him for a friend was great but he was too....boyish for her, for the lack of better words.

She could not forget the time when she just started to wear a bra 4 years ago. She had come out from a shower and she a hard time trying to closed the latch. She had asked Itachi to close it for her, who had been reclining on her bed watching the television. He had reluctantly complied without an argument and had remained silent for the entire night when he had stayed with her.

She had asked him many times to closed the latched for her until she learn to do it for herself. Itachi had been away in his Anbu missions at that time, so there was no one who would close it for her.

He had been like a good big brother to her, he had watched her grow up, assisting her through her teen years. However, he had been missing for the last months. Hardly even coming to her room or even deigning an apology for not attending her 17th birthday which she had spent with her parents and Mesume.

Mesume had taken Itachi's place and had chattered about her boyfriend and other girly stuff. Sakura was glad of her bright company, but if she was honest with herself, she really did missed Itachi's silence and soft spoken conversations. And Sakura was getting insecure every time she spent time with Mesume. She couldn't help but feel depressed after comparing Mesume's love life to her non-existent one. So she had concocted a lie about having a shy boyfriend who hasn't had the guts to steal her first kiss.

Mesume had thought that it was romantic; Sakura however thought that she was becoming desperate. She had told Mesume during her 17 birthday that Itachi was her boyfriend. Her friend had believed her instantly, and had asked for more details. Sakura could only describe him as being dark and mysterious, and for all the spine-tingling romance between them, Sakura could not give any. She just told Mesume how their friendship had become something more.

She had told her how they had met and how Itachi had found her, and all the stuff that happen for the passed years.

Sakura had watched Itachi grow up into a handsome man and he had watched her grow into a young woman, but their view of each other had not change. They still see no more than friends. They were just content with each others presence. They were compatible.

However, there compatibility had been shattered after Itachi had forgotten to show up during her birthday eight months ago.

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"Sakura!" The voice of her friend brought her back to reality. Sakura turn her to look at her friend, her brows creased in irritation.

"What?" Sakura snapped, though she suddenly regretted it when she saw the hurt look on her friend's voice.

"I was just telling you that you should break up with your boyfriend." Mesume answered matter-of-factly.

Sakura stared at her flabbergasted.

"And what may I ask, made you think that?" Sakura asked dryly, assuming the role of a very defensive girlfriend with a best friend than that of a boyfriend.

Itachi may be irritatingly quite and excessively domineering over her sometimes, but Sakura have considered more of his strong points than his naturally boring demeanor. Though he could be funny often time because Sakura was one of the few to have heard Itachi's dry humor, bordering more on bluntness.

"Because," Mesume enunciated, gazing at Sakura as if the reason was really that obvious. "He hadn't kissed you yet and he had forgotten about your 17th Birthday."

Sakura gazed at her friend penetratingly, not denying what her friend had said. It was partly true; the only thing that Mesume got wrong was the kissing part.

Itachi would never kiss her because they were friends and nothing more, though the thought of Itachi kissing her had crossed her mind but she would never do anything to initiate it. They were just friends, right? So kissing her Itch was a big no-no.

ABSOLUTELY NO!

However, her treasonous mind was disagreeing with her and had conjured up an image of her black haired friend feasting on her lips.

"AHHH, Itachi." Sakura moan as she parted her lips, to feel Itachi's sensuous fitting against hers; his lips capturing hers into a fiery kissed that scorched a hot trail down on her unexplored body.

"Sakura." Itachi murmured against her lips, his breath mingling with hers, black tourmaline eyes were glittering with----

"Sakura." She flushed as she whipped her head to look at the person who had spoken, then her faced turned a deep shade of crimson as she realized who it was.

Sakura would have to strangle Mesume later for inculcating the idea of kissing Itachi into her mind.

Of all the time that he had been absent for the past months, Itachi picked up the wrong time to show up. Sakura's face was red as she stared into his eyes.

"How are you?" He asked his eyes unusually blank. She could not see the warmth that she had often seen when she was in his company.

Sakura merely stared at him, her eyes becoming cold as she remembered what this bastard had done; the color coming back to her face as she answered him neutrally.

"I'm fine, Uchiha-san." Itachi frown at the name but she ignored it.

She then turned her head towards the man standing beside Itachi, who was currently looking at her with an odd gleam on his midnight eyes.

Uchiha Shisui leered at the pink haired woman who was wearing a red sleeveless shirt and a black skirt, exposing more of her creamy thighs and long legs. Shisui drooled at his best friend's other best friend. They had been on there way to the Hokage Tower for their mission report, when the sight of pink had caught his attention. Shisui had been drawn to the woman almost instantly. The petite female had been impervious to the men who was ogling at her creamy long legs.

Haruno Sakura had become a beautiful woman, though Itachi had been blind to see it.

"Ohayou, Sakura-chan." He felt Itachi stiffen beside him at the suffix. Shisui ignored his friend and watched as how Sakura responded warmly to his greeting.

He had not heed Itachi's order after he told him that they have no time to linger around since the Hokage was expecting them. Their mission had been a A-rank mission and they had replaced their Anbu vest with their prescribed jounin vest with their Anbu mask discarded. Shisui was dubious when he had looked at his friend. The Hokage was hardly expecting them since they had arrived from there mission just now.

As far as Shisui was concern, the Hokage was still oblivious to their arrival while Itachi seems to be thinking the opposite. If Shisui was correct, the younger Uchiha was avoiding his best friend, but for what unknown reason? Shisui would find out later. He would pry it out from his silent cousin.

Shisui watched with interest as the pink haired woman gave him a radiant smile before she greeted him in return.

"Ohayou, Shisui-kun." Shisui frown at the name but did not mind it, he liked it actually.

The silent man beside him stiffen even more and closely watched the pink haired woman who was obviously ignoring him.

"So who's this beautiful woman with you?" Shisui asked charmingly, shifting his attention to the blue haired beauty who blushed at the compliment. The woman was slim and tall, with graceful features and the most scarlet eyes he had ever seen; it rivaled even the color of their clan's sharingan. Her eyes were a deep shade of ruby with a glint of amber in them.

"I'm Miko Mesume," The woman replied with a shy smile on her lips, looking at him with interest.

"And you must be Sakura's boyfriend." She added, recalling how Sakura had described her boyfriend to be black haired and dark eyed man. She had picked up Shisui than the other man since Sakura seemed to be distant from him.

Both Sakura and the silent man beside him stilled, there figures tensed while Shisui become interested.

"What did you do now Haruno Sakura?" Shisui thought, casting a glance on the said woman who was staring pointedly at him.

"So you want me to play along, Ha?" Shisui asked through his eyes, and the pink haired woman nodded quietly.

Itachi glared.

Shisui ignored the glare as always.

"Why yes," Shisui began, giving the woman one of his devastating smiles. "I am Sakura's charming, handsome, sexy and the most powerful shinobi boyfriend."

Sakura snorted and turn around to hide her face while Itachi's face had become a masked, gazing at Shisui stonily.

Mesume frown at the statement, suddenly confused. She turns her head towards her friend who was looking at the other direction, then back at the man in front of her.

"Sakura described you differently," Mesume said observing him. "I expected that you would be the silent and shy type Sakura had described."

Sakura flushed with color and took a glance at Itachi who had turned his head to look at her. Their eyes clashing, they did not speak.

"That's why you haven't stolen her first kiss."

Shisui watched as Sakura's face become red like a tomato, her eyes tearing from his cousin, who was looking somewhat interested.

Shisui smirked at the news and answered the blue haired woman.

"Well actually, I couldn't kiss her because I would lose control if I did." Shisui said with a false sincerity, gazing into Sakura's eyes.

"But now that Itachi and you are here, how about I kiss her now just to be safe," Both the woman flushed at the innuendo while Itachi had tensed.

"OH! Sakura!" Mesume squealed, shaking Sakura. "You're going to have your first kissed! Right here! Right now!"

Sakura stared blankly at her.

Mesume turned to look at the man who was grinning smugly. Shisui's eyes were glued to the woman who was looking like she wanted to run and hide while his cousin was dangerously quite, a dark presence waiting to strangle him.

Shisui did not look at his direction.

"Come Sakura." Shisui said, opening his arms almost mockingly. "And I shall make you a woman."

Mesume squealed while Sakura almost fainted in shocked at Shisui's audaciousness.

Itachi interfered, his eyes dark with anger.

"Shisui." He said quietly, not looking at his cousin but his hard eyes were focused on the woman who met his gaze head on. The air around them crackled with sudden tension while both Shisui and Mesume stood on the sidelines watching the silent battle.

Mesume felt something was missing as she stared at her friend and the man beside Shisui.

Sakura was clearly infuriated at the silent man.

"Let's go." Itachi ordered, eyes leaving from the pink haired woman. He gave a withering stare at Shisui who looked amused.

"The Hokage would be waiting for us." He reminded him while he turns back towards Sakura, who was still glaring at him.

Itachi surveyed the cold glitter in her malachite eyes, and then turned towards the woman beside Sakura, who was looking curiously at him.

"Nice to have met you, Miko-san," Itachi said pleasantly in his soft lilting voice. "though we have to leave before we could have been better acquainted."

"My sincerest apologies," Itachi said bowing slightly.

"It's alright," Mesume said understandingly. "It's nice to meet you too.. ahh---"

"Uchiha Itachi." Itachi stated, giving a polite smile. The woman smiled in return.

"Itachi." Mesume said.

Sakura glared at the name and Itachi noticed it.

Itachi turned towards her, his eyes locking with hers.

"Shisui," Itachi said for a short seconds of intense staring. "Let's go."

Shisui nodded his head while observing his cousin and Sakura, looking highly intrigued.

"Ja ne, Sakura-chan," Shisui waved his hand at the pink haired woman, who glared at him. "Mesume-chan."

The blue haired woman gave a simple waft of her hand.

Itachi looked at Sakura for moment, nodded his head at her and then left with his cousin, leaving the two women in the streets.

"Do you know him?" Mesume asked curiously, peeking at the pink haired woman standing beside her.

Sakura thoughtfully considered the question then she answered in a tight voice, eyes hard.

"Yes," Sakura said, watching as the two shinobis disappear from their sight. "He's Shisui's cousin."

Sakura turn away from the direction where Itachi and Shisui had left, and began walking. The bustle of the morning activities went unnoticed as well as the men who was casting surreptitious glances on the two beautiful women.

Sakura was unbeknown to their leers. Her mind was occupied with one man, and that was her friend who had once again left her to do his precious job.

It was apparently clear that Itachi's work was important to him than seeing her or attending her birthday eight months ago.

"Why are you avoiding her?" Shisui pressed on as they jump from roof top to roof top to get to the Hokage Tower.

Silence.

Shisui looked sideways at his cousin, whose face had turn into an inscrutable mask. The blank face on Itachi's features had piqued his interest.

There was more to this than what his cousin let on. Itachi was purposely avoiding Sakura, and Itachi's behavior lately had been unusual. It was quite some time that the Uchiha genius had kept on training and taking up missions.

Maybe it was because the young Uchiha had finally realized that his precious cherry blossom had grown into an attractive woman. And avoiding her for fear that he could not resist such sweet temptation, and plucked the fresh bud before any man could take her.

"You haven't gone to her birthday," Shisui commented.

Another impenetrable silence as Itachi continues to avoid his interrogation.

"That's why she's angry at you."

There was a fleeting expression on Itachi's face as he heard the news. The silent man shot a look at him. That statement had gotten Itachi's attention.

"You should give her a present," Shisui suggested. "A flower would cheer her up."

Itachi scrutinized his cousin, and then shifted his eyes towards the direction they were going.

"Shisui," Itachi began his voice inaudible. "Don't interfere with my affairs."

Shisui raised his brows in surprised as he watched his cousin increased his speed.

"Affairs, ha?" Shisui thought. "So Itachi and Sakura really are a couple."

Shisui gazed at his cousin's back who was jumping ahead of him.

He wondered how Itachi had taken things with Sakura. With Itachi, he knew that the Uchiha genius would take it slowly at first before he moved for the kill. That's why Itachi hadn't kiss Sakura yet.

Shisui grin mischievously, suddenly getting an idea. Then frown when he recalled that Itachi was currently dating Uchiha Inoue, the frigid woman who stared down on almost everyone.

Shisui now knew why Itachi had gotten with Sakura, a warm and loving woman. Though he didn't know what the dispute between the two was, but he would help his cousin out. He would play the good old match maker.

Shisui didn't know of course that Itachi had a different reason why he was avoiding Sakura.

A whole lot different.

"How old is she?" Mikoto asked as she stared at her son.

"16." Itachi responded quietly.

His parents were silent, gazing at their son with a look of reproach in their eyes.

"She's 16?" Mikoto asked, her eyes turning hard. "And does her parents know about you?"

Itachi stared at his parents, suddenly realizing where this was going.

"No." He said firmly.

His father's face remains blank while his mother had become harsh.

"Do you know what you're doing, Itachi?" Mikoto asked ominously.

Itachi's eyes glittered.

"Yes."

"Then I never realized that you would be as stupid to visit the girl through the balcony," Mikoto censured. "Do you know what it could do to the girl's reputation if someone saw you?"

"I understand what you're saying kaa-san," Itachi said in a low voice, his eyes flashing with a hint of guilt. "But I assure you that---"

"Itachi," His father interrupted him, eyes glinting with steel as Itachi's attention went back to him. "You could no longer see the girl."

Itachi's eyes flashed with rebellion as he clenched his fist.

"Friend or not," Uchiha Fugaku said, his eyes turning ruby. "You are not allowed to see her."

Itachi stared at his father, his face blank. The room was thick with tension, male testosterone suffocating the only woman in the room.

"Listen to your father, Itachi." Mikoto softly ordered. "He meant well."

Itachi looked at his mother, who nodded her head, eyes beseeching.

"It is not only for the Clan," Mikoto explained, trying to prevent a fight between her two precious people. "But for the girl as well."

Itachi's hands whitened, his fist a ball as he pressed it on his thighs.

"What's her name?" Mikoto inquired, feeling the tension ease as Itachi was compelled to do the right thing.

"Sakura." Itachi murmured softly, his head bowed almost apologetically.

Mikoto smiled at the beautiful name.

"What a beautiful name." Mikoto remarked, watching as Itachi raised his head to look at her while the Uchiha Leader remain silent, observing how his wife took control of the situation, using her impressive manipulating skills.

"I think she would understand you, Itachi." Mikoto assured him while Itachi stared blankly at her.

"Was she the one who gave you the Chrysanthemum?"

Itachi stiffly nodded his head. Mikoto smiled.

"Then I have no doubt that she would understand you when you tell her."

However, Itachi had not told her. He had not attended her 17 birthday without a short explanation of his absence, and had not told anything to her for the past months. He had chosen to keep away from her for a moment before he could tell her that he was going to leave her for good.

He had bid his time while Sakura was slowly losing patient with him, making it harder for him to get an understanding between them.

Making Sakura understand that he would have to leave her would probably much harder right now. Itachi would have to win her friendship again, but how?

Itachi thought as he arrived at the Hokage Tower before his cousin did.

"Itachi,"

Itachi turn his head as his cousin landed on the ground beside him, Shisui's eyes were gleaming unusually.

"You should listen to my advice." The older man said as beamed at him, looking invigorated by something while Itachi became wary.

"You would lose something important before you realized it." Shisui said cryptically, then walking to the flights of stairs leading to the Hokage Tower.

There was a small crease on Itachi's brows as he stared after his cousin.

Shisui was obviously up to no good.

But he did needed Shisui's advice. Figuring out what Shisui was up to, would just resurface on its own. He need not wait for Shisui to make a move.

Itachi would just have to keep an eye on him for a while before he could do something to stop what his cousin was plotting.

3 DAYS LATER.......

Itachi had followed Shisui's advice and had given Sakura a flower as a belated present. He had placed the flower at the balustrade of her balcony before he left. Sakura had been fast asleep when Itachi had visited her late that night.

Sakura found it the next morning, when she went out to enjoy the sunlight and the morning breeze.

"Hmmmm..." Sakura murmured softly, inhaling the morning air, her hands placed on the balustrade as she closed her eyes. The warmth November sun bathing her with its gentle glow.

"What a lovely morning." Sakura said smiling, slowly opening her eyes to look at the street below, her eyes scanning the area where she could see a few people passed by her balcony.

She was smiling from ear to ear when she caught sight of the flower perched at the corner of her balcony.

The pot contains a purple Hyacinth, dampening her cheerful mood and her face turn sour.

Purple Hyacinth meant,"I am sorry, please forgive me and sorrow."

Sakura knew who it came from, and the thought made her feel a little bit light hearten but still she can't accept his apology through a flower. She wanted to hear it spoken from his very lips.

Giving her a flower wouldn't placate her wrath for him, though it did help quite a bit.

Sakura scowled at the flower, yet inwardly she was smiling. The sight of the flower was making her want to throw it away or keep it. Sakura decided to just leave it there unattended. She didn't care what happen to it.

She cast a glance at the flower before she went inside her room. Never actually expecting that some bird would knocked it out and break the pot, only for Itachi to discover it when he came to visit her that night; already thinking that the flower had lifted Sakura's downtrodden spirit.

Sakura arrived from her school that night, exhausted and in the bad mood. Her teacher had just given them a 50 items exam and she had gotten a low score because a certain black haired man had diverted her from concentrating on her exams.

She was furious, and she blame it all on the Uchiha, who hadn't expected that she would give him a cold shoulder as she found him sitting on her bed with a broken pot on his hands, silently waiting for her.

Sakura dumped her bag on her the bed next to the man who was silently watching her. She did not acknowledge his presence and did not utter a word of explanation to the reason why his belated present had been broken.

Sakura did not care if Itachi think that she had deliberately dropped the pot because she was still angry at him, which she was.

"Sakura," She heard him say but Sakura did not turn to look at him. She undid the buttons of her white uniform, her back was to him as she undressed.

This had been a common ritual to Sakura when she arrived home, undressing and then taking a half bath. Itachi actually had not complained when she had undressed in front of him, though Sakura knew that he would turn his head to the direction, allowing her to undress in semi-privacy.

This had happen before in many occasions that Itachi had become accustom to her rituals. Sakura was an Obsessive Compulsive person and Itachi understand that if he disrupted her rituals, the order on her world would crumble. So Itachi had adapted and familiarized her lifestyle and attitude to keep her from crumbling.

But now, he was going to break the rule. He has to tell her. He could not let her become accustom to his presence any longer. A day would come when he would leave, it might be through death because of his profession or something else.

Though it would surely devastate her, but he have to do it for the sake of her untainted reputation.

Itachi watched as her blue skirt fell on the floor with the rest of her uniform. He stared at the back of her head as she was only wearing on her white brassier and panties. Seeing her on her undies was quite natural to him, his face a mask as he addressed his next words to her, his voice with a hint of order.

"We need to talk."

The girl chooses to remain quite as she pulled a drawer open from her wardrobe. She took a pair of fresh pair of panties and a blue pajama. Her bottom a tantalizing view for the Uchiha who merely looked annoyed for having been ignored for the past minutes.

"I have an important matter to tell you."

The girl took a towel from the hanger and wrapped it around her petite form while she turns a deaf ear to the man sitting at the edge of her bed. The pot of flower on his thighs, masculine hand ensconced the weathered purple Hyacinth while dirt fell out from the broken pot and into his black trousers and her white bed sheets.

Sakura swiftly moved towards her bedroom door, carrying her toiletries. She turns the doorknob with her free hand, the door sliding open when Itachi spoke again.

"I've been asked to leave you."

Sakura paused on the threshold, the door stood ajar and yet she did not make a move to leave, her eyes staring unseeingly in front of her.

"Leave?" Sakura thought spitefully, her eyes flashed after hearing the news. "He was going to leave me?"

Sakura's hand tightened on the doorknob.

"So that's why he couldn't visit me or attend my birthday," Sakura took her hand off the doorknob and took a step forward. "It's was because someone had told him to, like he had been told to leave me."

Sakura closed her eyes and breathe slowly, trying to calm down.

"The person must be someone important to him," Sakura thought morosely, opening her eyes which were becoming misty as she felt heart ache in pain. "More important than me."

There was lump on her throat as she choked, her vision a blur as she tried to settle her chaotic emotion.

He had just come back to her and now he was going to tell her that he was going to leave?

Sakura felt him move behind her, standing up from her bed and walking towards her form. The years that she had been together with him, had made Itachi sensitive to her mood.

Itachi knew that she was badly hurt, but Sakura didn't want to talk to him. She closed the door behind her, barring him from ever entering her shaking world.

She leaned on the door as she wiped the tears in her eyes; her toiletries fell to the floor as she held the door knob behind her back, preventing Itachi from opening it.

"Sakura." Sakura heard him say through the paneled door. She knew that he was standing in front of the closed door, his voice muffled.

"Sakura," She bit her lip as she listens to his voice; the doorknob move underneath her hands and she immediately increased the pressure that she had on the doorknob. She was not going to talk to him.

She was angry and hurt that she didn't want to face him right now when she was hurting. She didn't want to see how his absence and he leaving her was affecting her.

"Sakura!" Itachi said reproachfully. The doorknob rattled, and Sakura's hands slide from the smooth metal, the door behind her was suddenly wrenched open. Sakura made a move to scurry away but strong arms suddenly snaked around her waist and she found herself being lifted from the ground.

She watched as the door closed in front of her. The door clicked with finality as she was placed back on the ground. The arms around her waist were gone and the warm, hard wall on her back disappeared as Itachi took a step back.

"You were running away from me," Itachi stated, his eyes glinting with steel. "I was just going to explain to you why I was going to leave."

Sakura did not turn to look at him, her eyes closed, hiding the hurt that she was feeling at the moment. She listen to the man behind her, she could feel the heat emitting from him as he stood a foot from her.

"I'm sorry that I didn't attend your birthday." Itachi whispered to her sincerely. Though the thought of herself waiting for him all night had stayed with her. The anger, pain and sorrow was still there as she recalled the incident. She could not forget what he ad done.

Sakura's snapped open, eyes hardening and raised her hand towards the doorknob. A hand grabbed her wrist, as Itachi closed the distance between them. His chest pressed against her back, and his breath fanning the side of her forehead as he warned her.

"Sakura," Itachi said as he took hold of her shoulder and tried to turn her around. Sakura shrugged his hand off while she twisted her wrist away from his grasp. "Listen to me."

"NO." Sakura growled her hackles rising, her back to him as she moved towards the door. A hand grabbed her towel, trying to prevent her from walking away.

"Stop being such a child, Sakura." Itachi reprimanded her like an irate father. He was becoming slightly annoyed at her behavior.

Sakura's eyes flashed in anger for having called a child.

"A child?" Sakura thought angrily, tagging her towel from Itachi's grasp. "He thinks of me as a child, ha? Then I'll show how childish I can be."

Sakura's eyes gleaming with malicious intent as she scratch Itachi's hands away from her towel, her nails digging into his flesh drawing blood. The hand did not let go as Itachi continue to hold her in place. Sakura's eyes flashed with regret as she watched the blood streaming from Itachi's hand.

Sakura let him go and tore her towel away from her body. She skittered towards the door only on her white undies. Sakura turn the doorknob open when Itachi came to retrieve her again. He damped her on the bed unceremoniously, her head hitting her pillow and her bare skin encountering the silky fabric of her white bed sheets.

Sakura tried to sit up and move to the side of the bed, when he prevented her from doing that. He placed his arm on either side of her head, his body caging her on the bed; the blood from his hand staining her white bed sheets.

"Listen to me, Sakura." Itachi said his face hard and his eyes icy. "I have to tell you why---"

"I don't want to hear it." Sakura snapped, placing a hand on his broad shoulder to throw him off her. They were an inch apart, the feel of his heat and his large frame almost suffocating her.

He was tall compared to her petite form. The thought of him overpowering her made her desperate to find a means of escape, her hands fumbling for something to hit him. She encountered something furry.

Sakura used her favorite stuff toy to hit Itachi on the face. The man did not flinch as the fluffy teddy bear slammed into his aristocratic features repeatedly.

"Get off me!" Sakura hissed as she pounded her stuff toy on the frozen Uchiha above her. "Get off me you big bully!"

Itachi snatched Chu away from her grasp, scowling at the bear and then at the woman underneath him. Sakura glared as Itachi threw her bear over his shoulder, which landed among the heap of her uniform.

Itachi pressed his body closer to hers, his face a foot apart from hers while he trapped her wrist above their heads. There bodies a whisper away.

Sakura glared.

"Now will you listen to me?" Itachi asked silkily.

"No!" She spat stubbornly.

Itachi's face turns into an inscrutable mask at her answer.

"When would you listen to me then?" The Uchiha above her asked in dangerous voice, his eyes empty.

"Until hell freezes over." Sakura declared heatedly.

Silence ensues after her declaration. There eyes unwavering as they gazed at each other. Sakura's eyes were full of emotion while Itachi's were blank.

Then she watched with great bewilderment as Itachi gave her a small smile, the corners of his mouth quirking noticeably.

"You never did change, haven't you?" Itachi said softly, his black tourmaline eyes were warm. He had released her wrist and had used a hand to brush the strand of hair from her cheeks.

Sakura's heart made an unusual flipped as she gazed into his handsome face. The feel of his hands on her face, made her weak on the knees. The smile turn into a grin and her eyes were instantly drawn to his lips. A delicious and forbidden feeling run up and down her spine as she stared. The desire to taste his lips came to her mind, making her stomach coil into knots, suddenly excited.

"You're still as stubborn as ever." The man above her remarked which went unheard since her eyes were staring intently at his sensuous mouth. Her heart thudding loudly on her ears as she stared, the image of her kissing Itachi rose unbidden on her mind.

"Sakura." Itachi murmured against her lips, his breath mingling with hers, black tourmaline eyes were glittering with heat as he cupped her nape and kissed her hungrily, his lips making a sweet assault over quivering ones, moving and brushing his lips against hers. The sensitive nerve endings as their lips touched making her body burn with an unknown heat.

"Sakura." She heard him moan her name as her exploring hands encountered----

Sakura's face was flushed with color as the image disappeared and she was brought back to reality when she felt Itachi tense above her. The air around them crackled with electricity as Itachi had noticed her stare.

Itachi stared at her, his eyes scanning her features before landing on her parted lips. Sakura's breath became a hitch as they became aware of each other. Her chest rose and fell in consciousness.

She was wearing her underwear, revealing to him that she was no longer a child but a desirable woman. The feeling of him pressed against her making her flushed with heat.

"Itachi." Her voice came out hoarse as she met Itachi's eyes, which glittered unusually.

She felt him tense as she unconsciously leaned forward, her lips parting. Itachi's eyes were darker than there normal color. Their breaths mingling as Sakura began.

"I want you to---"

They both froze when they heard the sound of approaching footsteps in Sakura's bedroom door. Itachi jumped from the bed and moved swiftly out into the balcony, where he hid in the darkness.

Sakura reached for her towel on the floor, her bottom wiggling as she bent down. The view branded on Itachi's mind, finally realizing that Sakura was a woman. The feel of her curves pressed against his form, imprinted itself on his body, making him achingly aware that he could no longer think of her as a friend without recalling her warm and soft pliant body underneath his.

Itachi closed his eyes and placed his hands on the balustrade as he listens inside.

"Sakura, dinner is ready." Reishi told her daughter through the small opening of the doorway.

Sakura peeked through the doorway at her mother, her face pale and her smile tight as she answered the older woman.

"Hai, kaa-san," Sakura replied with a false cheeriness. "I'll be right there."

"You better hurry, Sakura." Reishi said as she withdraws from the doorway and started to walk away from Sakura's bedroom. "The miso soup would get cold."

"Hai, kaa-san." Sakura called as she watched her mother climb down the flight of stairs. After she was sure that her mother was out of sight, Sakura closed the door and locked it behind her.

Sakura did not turn to Itachi's direction as she went back to the bed, and sat at the edge of it; her back to the shadow standing on her balcony, watching her.

"I should go," Itachi stated quietly. "I'll talk to you later."

Sakura did not respond and waited for him to leave, yet he did not.

"Sakura."

Sakura turn her head to look at him, her eyes widen when she found out that he was just standing next to her.

"I'm going to explain to you why I have to leave."

Sakura's eyes flickered at his words and Itachi saw it.

"But now is not the right time." Itachi said, gazing into her pale face. "I'll talk to you tomorrow night."

Sakura stiffly nodded her head, her eyes not meeting his. Itachi looked at her for a moment before he made a move to the balcony.

Sakura watched him go with melancholy eyes. She turns to her purple Hyacinth where Itachi had lain. The broken pot was placed on her Vanity table; the purple bud lay in fragility against the white oak.

"I'm sorry, please forgive me." Sakura thought with sorrowful eyes, understanding the language of the flower.

She turn to the balcony where Itachi had disappeared, the white drapes blowing as a strong gust of wind entered her bedroom.

"I'm sorry Itachi," Sakura said as she walked towards the balcony, and slide the french doors closed. She pushed the locked in placed and drawing the drapes together. "But I can't forgive you that easily."

The drapes were almost drawn to a close when a shadow appeared in front of her. Sakura's eyes met angry pair of ruby as Itachi glared through the glass. He must have known that something was wrong and had come back to investigate.

"Itch." Sakura whispered softly, a tear slowly fell from her eye as she slowly closed the drapes. Itachi made a move to stop her.

"Sakura." She heard him speak but the drapes came closed, obscuring him from her view, and him from seeing her cry.

Sakura could not bear to think that he was going to leave her. She slides down on the floor, tears streaming down her face as she regretted barring him from her life.

She has to make him stay by delaying his explanation.

She knew that Itachi would not give up until he talked to her. Sakura leaned her head on the glass door, the curtain veiling her from the man standing outside her balcony.

She touched her finger tips to her lips, where it had almost brushed against Itachi's. A whimper escape from her parted lips as she closed her eyes, feeling the painful ache on her heart. Imagining how it would feel Itachi's lips moving against hers, made her stomach flutter painfully. Tears fell from her chin and into her hands, placed on the floor, her body hunched.

She wanted to kiss him so badly, but would he deny her? After all it would be just a kiss between friends right?

Her first kiss would be with be with her best friend.

"Sakura," She slowly turns her head to side, leaning on the french door as she listens to his voice. "This is not over yet."

Sakura closed her eyes, and bit her lip. Her heart throbbing in pain by the sound of his voice, instantly missing his nearness.

"I'll return to you." Itachi vowed before he left.

A strangled sob came out from her mouth, and turn to a wail as she suddenly felt like her world was falling apart.

Itachi was going to leave her.

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And sure enough, Itachi did return to her; showering her with so many consolation gifts while Sakura continue to deny him vindication. Not until Itachi barged into her bedroom, and with a different purpose that Sakura finally give in.

She succumbed, and then she fell hard.

Could Sakura get her first kiss? Or is it more than she bargains for?

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"Friends Only See the Best in Each Other"

They came to tell your faults to me,

They named over one by one;

I laughed aloud when they were done,

I knew them all so well before---

Oh, they were blind, too blind to see

Your faults had made me love you more.

----Sara Teasdale

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Special lesson on the Language of Flowers:

Purple Hyacinth--I am sorry, Please forgive me, sorrow

Chrysanthemum--You are a wonderful friend

Geranium---Friendship

Periwinkle Blue---Early Friendship