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Sakura drained the remaining sip of her red wine and let out a contented sigh. Looking at the man in the armchair in front of her, she decidedly stood up.
His head slightly snapped up at her sudden movement and frowned. “Leaving so soon, Sakura?”
Her cheeks burned. Was it because of the way his smooth, chocolate-like voice said her name or was it because of the wine she had just finished drinking? Well, she was never a heavy drinker anyways.
“I really can’t stay,” Her eyes shifted towards the clock, the shorthand on the eleven. Brushing off the invisible dust on her loose, cream-colored sweater dress, her hands knitted together and held tightly on her matching purse.
“Sakura, it’s cold outside,” His voice went down into the lower octave in concern, making her freeze in place, her eyes representing a deer caught in the dim lamp lights of Konoha.
“I have got to go now, really,” She nervously looked at the door, slowly inching towards it. It was getting late, after all. There were other things she needed to tend to.
“Oh, but it’s cold outside,” He repeated, sitting up from his seat, making his way towards her, a smirk replacing the frown quicker than it came up.
“This evening has been so very nice,” Sakura smiled once more, running a single hand through her hair as she continued towards her goal- the exit.
Before she could take an extra step further, her hand was quickly snatched up by the male behind her.
“I’ll hold your hands,” He huskily whispered into her ear. “They’re just like ice.”
Sakura could hear the obvious disapproval in his voice and willed herself to ignore the shivers running down her spine. It wasn’t the right time for this and she knew she had to get home.
“My mother will start to worry,” Sakura hesitantly allowed him to walk her back to the love couch and silently watched as he sat down next to her. She thought about her parents who were more than likely patiently waiting for her at their house.
“What is your worry, Sakura?” He questioned, his slender fingers reaching out to tuck the loose strands of hair covering her face behind her ear.
Fighting the soft and giddy smile off of her face, Sakura stared motionless at the fireplace in front of her. “My father will be pacing the floor.”
She had promised to spend Christmas with her parents. The guilt ate at her, and she knew it showed on her face despite her best efforts to keep it hidden.
“Listen to the fireplace roar,” He gently coaxed and gestured to the, she had to admit, warm fireplace just a couple of feet ahead of them that she didn’t feel like leaving just yet. The little slabs of wood crackled in the heat that she currently craved.
“But really, I’d better scurry,” Sakura attempted to stand up again and was once again stopped by the warm fingers that wrapped around her wrist.
“Sakura, please don’t hurry,” His cool, enchanting voice pulled her back down next to him, his fingers leaving her wrist to interlock her fingers on his own.
“Well, maybe just half a drink more,” Sakura sighed, gave in, glancing down at their joined hands with a soft smile. She had to admit, the wine was just to her taste. She shouldn’t mind having just a bit more of the wine. Or was it more of his company that she wanted?
“I will put some records on while I pour the drinks,” He reluctantly let go of her hand, letting it linger just above her for just another moment before swiftly leaving the room.
Before Sakura could even blink, he reappeared with the record player. Smooth jazz tunes started playing and he turned the volume down until she could barely register the slow, romantic beat that flowed into one ear and out the other.
Skillfully, he grabbed her wine glass that sat innocently beside her and filled it up just perfectly halfway.
Sakura thanked him, took a sip, and paused. “The neighbors might think…”
She worriedly let her thoughts race through her mind. He was a clan member, for kami’s sake! If they paid them any attention at all, who knew what rumors would be spread through the clan and village the next day!
“Sakura, it’s bad out there,” He consoled her, wrapping his arm around her shoulders, tugging her into his chest. Her eyes widened at the sudden closeness as she barely registered the harsh winds blowing against the windows.
“Say, what’s in this drink?” She suddenly slurred, feeling dizzy all of a sudden. Her medic instincts kicked in and she relaxed once she knew it wasn’t the date-rape drug. Her inner conscience scolded her as she knew that he would never do such a thing to her or anyone else.
Without a moment’s hesitation, he reached over and grabbed the glass out of her hand. Smoothly tipping it over, he let the red liquid spill into his mouth. Dryly swallowing, Sakura tried to not make it so obvious that she was staring at the way the wine flowed through his mouth and down his throat, watching the way his adam’s apple bobbed with his slender neck. Her eyes slowly moved towards his collarbones.
“I wish I knew how,” She started, barely breathing, and drew her eyes back up to meet his own.
“Your eyes are like starlight now,” His hand caressed her cheek, moving south and meeting her chin with just the tips of his fingers. He tilted her head up and smirked.
“I wish I knew how to break this spell,” Sakura finished her thought, her mind completely forgoing her parents as she could only focus on the ethereal man sitting next to her.
“I’ll take your hat, your hair looks swell,” He muttered, reaching above her to pull off her ivy-green beanie. The little sparks of static could be heard as his hand returned to the top of her head to smooth out the soft and silky locks of pink.
“Why, thank you,” She blushed, not unlike her purple-headed friend.
He merely looked back at her in amusement, refilling her glass with the wine that she had grown to adore so much.
Within the break of physical contact, Sakura suddenly remembered who she was with. Looking down at the wine being offered to her and back up to his eyes, she blinked owlishly.
“I ought to say no,” She stammered. “No. No, sir.” She finally let out, scooching away from him by just an inch.
She could see the disappointment in his face before his expression turned blank, his eyes filled with challenge. “Mind if I move in closer?”
Sakura could sense her second-personality groaning as she once again gave in. “At least I’m gonna say that I tried.”
Her parents could wait, right? She was a grown adult, after all! It was only Christmas Eve, anyway. They could still open presents on Christmas night…
“What’s the sense of hurting my pride,” He asked mockingly, obviously referring to how she moved away from him.
“I really can’t stay,” She changed her mind again. She couldn’t bear to leave her parents alone.
“Sakura, don’t hold out,” He whispered in her ear as if he knew the inner turmoils she was facing at the moment.
Going on a whim, Sakura stood. “It’s cold outside, Itachi. I shouldn’t keep my parents waiting.”
Instantly sensing her reluctance, he teleported right in front of the door where she currently stood, the feeling of her shocked eyes looking up at him giving him more warmth than the fire did.
“That is exactly my point. It is cold outside.”
And with that, he sealed his lips with hers.