Stand By Me

STAND BY ME - chapter 11

Up ahead, I saw a familiar figure approaching us. It had to be Sasuke. I looked up at Itachi, who seemed to recognize his brother's presence. The pink-haired girl beside Sasuke looked absolutely breathtaking.

"Sasuke," Itachi spoke, "You managed to make it." the Uchiha smirked. Itachi looked happy, his eyes gleamed with content.

"This is Sakura." Sasuke said, Sakura slightly bowed to us.

"Sakura, as in Naruto's friend?" I asked, briefly recognizing her name from the exuberant blonde.

"That's right. It's nice to finally meet you." Sakura bowed, "I'm glad you're safe!" I was almost stunned by her kindness. Someone as neutral and reserved as Sasuke scored someone as kind and open as her. I guess opposites do attract.

"Thank you," I bowed back to her slightly. "Sasuke, you've sure grown a whole lot!" I had to admit it, Itachi and him were merely copy and pastes. Sasuke "hn'd" me and smirked.

I heard Itachi chuckle, "Let's go, Aya," Itachi said, holding my hand, "I'll see you around, Sasuke, Sakura." We nodded in acknowledgement and went our ways.

I momentarily peeked up at Itachi, remembering how Sasuke looked. I was in awe. "Itachi, Sasuke looks so grown up now. You both look so alike." I commented.

Itachi flashed me a smile, "I know. My younger brother's matured now, and moody as ever."

I laughed. "Wow, I can't forget the days when Sasuke was so small, he'd run all over the district trying to look for you!"

Itachi pulled me closer to his side, humming in agreement. I always knew that Itachi, from when he was young, loved his brother more than anything else. He placed his needs and his care above anything else. I thought it was admirable.

---

We arrived at the ceremony hours ago, and I couldn't help but sneak bites of small-sized desserts behind Itachi, whenever he'd glance elsewhere. These past hours, I learned that he was still very much into drinking tea.

"Aya, we haven't even reached the main course meals!" Izumi exclaimed, my mouth stuffed, embarrassed. "I-I can't help it... sweets are so... so good!" I retorted. Izumi laughed at me.

"Shisui and Kayumi should be out any second now, I think!" Izumi said, twirling around, "Ah! I can't wait!"

---

"You ready?" Shisui said, holding his soon-to-be wife's hands, pecking them a kiss. Kayumi nodded in excitement.
"Let's go!" Kayumi exclaimed.

---

And there they were. The beautiful Uchiha couple stepped outside, smiling, in love and happy.

They stood in front of the crowd, looking at each other admirably, holding hands.

"...You may recite your vows..." The wedding officiant spoke.

The two Uchiha sincerely spoke their vows to each other, and I couldn't help but get emotional. Seeing my friends happy, doing what makes them happy, made me feel all warm inside. I felt my eyes tear up, and there was so use in restraining them.

"Awh, Aya..." Izumi quickly noticed me tearing up, "I know exactly how you feel!" Izumi said, becoming sentimental. Itachi glanced at me and even though he was not crying, I could tell he felt the same way.

---

The wedding ended, late at night. Itachi and I helped Kayumi and Shisui do some cleaning after all the guests were gone, and now, we were all headed home.

"Aya, before you go," Itachi said, "I'd like to take you some place."

I nodded, and held his hand. We were walking in the dark, and usually, I'd be alert, but right now with Itachi, I didn't feel the need to be.

We walked through what seemed an endless series of trees and bushes, carefully stepping over branches in my heels, following Itachi.

"We're here, Aya." Itachi said, pointing to the spot. I looked up ahead and couldn't help but gasp at the sight in front of me. It was a serene garden. Even under the moonlight, I could tell that the grass was green and healthy, it smelled like sweet nature. Blossoms delicately hung off the tall trees.

"Itachi... it's..."
"Beautiful, right?" Itachi looked at me, almost dreamily, "I thought it would only be fitting to bring you here."
I wasn't sure if he could tell, but I blushed deeply. Naturally, within moments, our bodies gravitated towards each other. I looked up at him in the eyes, smiling.

"Your eyes," His thumb caressed my cheek, "They look like glass."

My eyes widened. I've only heard that compliment a couple of times in my life. I slightly turned my head to the side out of shyness, he quickly adjusted this by placing his finger under my chin, making me face towards him. His gaze was tinted with what seemed like lust, and in response my heart began thumping outside of my chest. I felt invigorated. The exhilaration I felt, being around the one who crossed my mind everyday, was truly what I wanted.

Itachi non-hesitantly pulled me into a kiss, his lips landing onto mine. I was stunned at first, but I knew I wanted this so badly, going with the flow. I pressed my body against his, his hands on either side of my waist. Our breathing slowed, becoming synchronized, my body feeling all tingly.

Itachi slowly broke off our kiss, and though hard to tell in the dark, an innocent blush crossed his cheeks. I held his hand, looking deeply into his eyes.

"Itachi, I really enjoyed my time with you today." I blushed, admitting the truth.
"And so did I."
"I don't think you understand what I mean..."
The Uchiha looked at me quizzically.

"Being around you makes me happy. I can't keep it a secret, and I just can't deny my feelings anymore..." I surprisingly wasn't flustered and nervous. Itachi needed to hear this.

He placed a hand on my shoulder.
"To be frank," Itachi said, smirking lopsidedly, his sharingan smouldering my heart, "I like you, Aya."

I knew Itachi was not one to joke - he was serious in all affairs of his life. Itachi is not the kind of person to associate with just anyone, holding only connections with those people who he holds value for.

"I want you to stand by me." Itachi said, his deep voice rang throughout my body.
"You know I will." I said, reassuringly.

"Let me take you home, it's getting late." Itachi said, gesturing for me to hold his hand. And with that, we left the secluded area, and walked throughout the streets of Konoha, on my way to my house.