Omg... Itachi and Akira have been thourgh a lot and their journey is finally coming to a close... Well, the first part is. As you can see, I couldn't wait so i posted this chapter up now instead of with the other's one week from now. I was writing this story, and this story alone, during school. I thank all of you for reading, reviewing, and supporting this story. And without any further adieu, i give you the last chapter...

OnyxTears: hehehe, last chapter till the next book! and yup...auntie soon! please dont sick Sasuke on my hunny...i'd like to keep my hunny... :)

IcyGirl2: Last chapter for you! Look for the next one!

x-RockGoddess-x: Thanks for the review! ... i didnt mean to make you cry! (cries)

Sakura06: thanks for the review!

Disclaimer: I finally managed to get Kakashi out of the building and i thought that i had bribed the dogs...but they came back for more...

Summary: Akira had run away from Konoha: just to be with the love of her life. She would do anything for Itachi, yet she's regretting everything she had ever done for him. She had given up so much for him, and he has yet to show his love for her… like he used to…

Warning: I am sorry about this, but if you do not like angst/drama/sad/depressing stories do not read: this story will be pretty sad and depressing and some moments will have minor drama and angst.

OOCness with Itachi! beware!

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-Before-

"Depends on Hokage-sama and the elders." He whispered, his eyes glancing away from mine. "I…" He took a deep breath, finally looking back to me as he started over. "I know that I haven't been sane for most of our relationship, and I know that I have done some pretty horrible stuff to you and our village. I know you love me dearly and I know you know that I love you also… but it's not enough for me to say 'I love you' to you. I want to say something deeper, something that would hold more meaning for me because I don't think saying 'I love you' is enough to express how I feel for you." He paused, tilting his head as his eyes unfocused. "I know I haven't been there for you in the most crucial points in time, but I wish to be. I want to be the one that spends the rest of your life with. I want to be able to hold you without anyone caring. I want to be able to kiss you senseless because we hold each other's hearts in our hands. I…" He paused again, looking away briefly and it wasn't until later that I found out that he had glanced over at my father. "Hatake Akira? Will you marry me?"

---

-Forbidden Love,

Chapter 13: Forbiddened to Welcomed-

I stared straight at Itachi, eyes wide and mouth slightly open. My heart had stopped beating and it took all my will power to not jump him. I took a deep breath, walking forward slowly to sit on the edge of his bed. "We've been through a lot…" I started, seeing the look of panic flash through his eyes. "I've… I've gone through your parents and you've gone through my father. You worried me during the time we disappeared from Konoha. You broke my heart countless times, and I know I've broken yours a couple times also. We've been down the light rode and the dark one…" I paused, a small smile flashing on my lips. "After all that, you've finally managed to push the dark back and accept you heart and feelings. After everything that's happened you've finally proposed marriage." I leaned forward, my eyes bright and my smile growing to a grin. "Yes." I finally whispered against his lips.

Itachi's face brightened into a smile as he wrapped his good arm around me, bringing me closer for a deeper kiss.

-Third Person-

Both Tsunade and Kakashi walked out of the room, leaving the betrothed couple in privacy. "I take it Itachi wanted to ask you first before asking her?" Tsunade asked, turning to the corridor, her eyes on Kakashi.

He smiled, nodding his head. "Yeah. I respect him for that, that he was respecting my decision before putting it into action."

Tsunade nodded sagely, a smile forming on her lips. "You told him something before giving him your answer, didn't you?" She inquired.

Kakashi shook his head. "No, just stayed silent, thinking before I did give my answer."

"Liar." She muttered, stopping where she was.

"Maybe…" Kakashi returned, keeping his mouth shut.

Kakashi entered the hospital room, shutting the door behind him quietly. "Itachi? You wanted to see me first?"

Itachi nodded slowly, waving his good hand, motioning Kakashi closer. "Y-yes. I… I want to marry your daughter Akira."

"And why are you asking me first?" Kakashi asked, sitting down in a chair and scooting closer.

"Because technically you're still in charge of her, even if she has come of age. I want to know that I have you blessings in marrying your daughter before I actually marry her." Itachi answered.

Kakashi nodded, leaning back in the chair and crossing his arms. "I have every right to say no to you, because of everything that you have done to her." He paused; letting his words sink in before continuing on. "If I was in a right mind I would say no. But I'm not going to. I'll give you both my blessings and help you out whenever you need it."

"Thank you sir…" Itachi began.

"No. Don't be thanking me yet. I still have one more thing to say to you." He stood up slowly, stepping before the bed and bending down to Itachi. "If you hurt her ever again, I swear I will kill you slowly and painfully unless someone gets to you first."

Itachi nodded, his face serious. "I won't sir. I'll take care of her."

Kakashi shook his head again. "No. I just gave him an answer."

"Liar."

"Who's a liar?" Akira asked, coming up from behind.

"No one." Tsunade answered, smiling as she hugged Akira tightly. "Congratulations Brat."

Akira chuckled, hugging her back. "Thank you Hokage-sama."

"Get going hun. Go tell Aislinn and Kitari and start planning." Kakashi muttered as he returned Akira's hug. She nodded, her face beaming as she all but ran down the hall.

"Whenever anyone saw them, they thought Itachi and Akira's love was forbidden." Tsunade mumbled, shaking her head as Akira disappeared around the corner.

Kakashi nodded in agreement. "Yeah… but they managed to go from forbidden to welcomed. And I'll support them t the end."

"Yeah…"

-First Person-

It took Itachi a while to heal in the hospital and of course there was still the war going on: so we both had decided to wait for Itachi to heal, well, that was mainly his idea. But I was the one to suggest we either do the wedding during an intermission or after the war altogether. Both of us knew that the war was more important even if our lives were on the line. Tsunade had taken over the planning, as her present was the only explanation she gave. I knew she had argued against the elders because of Itachi and that should have been her present, but if you have an angry-looking Hokage in your face insisting on planning the wedding, you'd give in too. Itachi was still in the hospital, where he should be, and I should have been with Aislinn and Kitari at a bridal gown store.

But I wasn't…

I was cold, hungry, wet, dirty, tired, and in pain under a bush. I was with Aislinn and Kitari, but not where we all wanted to be. All three of us had been called out for active duty, the mission goal being massacre the enemy camp. Just kill, but the way the mission summary was stated, it sounded like massacre. We were given ANBU uniforms, mask, weapon, and all, and two true ANBU members to make a whole team. The ANBU members stood slightly to my left in the front and to the right in the back. Everything was going smoothly, we were killing them off slowly, but one of the Sound Nins opened their mouths a little too early, setting off the alarm in the whole camp. Where once we were hunters, we were now the hunted… My hand rose in the air steadily, motioning forward before quickly falling to the ground at my side. Four shadows made their way forward as they moved slowly and silently. I quickly followed them, my Byakugan activated as I glanced around warily.

All four figures stopped, Birdie falling back to me. "There is another camp up ahead Captain." He whispered, following me as I kept walking, stopping at the edge of the clearing. My eyes swept over it, noting the men before I turned around and saw the shinobi trailing us. I dropped to the ground, motioning for the others to come closer.

"We're surrounded." I muttered, dipping a hand underneath my mask to rub at my eyes. "We've got Sound on each side of our flanks, and if we want to head home we're going to have to give it all we've got. I know it's been a few days so far without sleep but we need to pull through. If you have any chakra pills, take them." I paused, one hand ruffling my hair and the other rummaging through my pouch. "We'll try the Sound Nins that are trailing us, they should be least. If the alarm is sounded in the nearby camp, run for it. Head back to home and say mission failed. I'll be right behind you guys." I stood, stretching lazily as I turned back to the Shinobi following us. "Let's see if we can return home in one piece…" Birdie and Kitty nodded their consent, vanishing.

Kitari shook her head, sighing. "We're not going to get out of this, are we?"

"Yes we are." Aislinn interjected. "We've got a wedding to perform." She nodded at both of us, disappearing. Kitari nodded, waving to me before vanishing. I sighed, glancing back at the camp before heading off to the fight.

Almost instantly, upon entering the enemy's line of vision, I was ambushed. I barely had enough time to dodge, the kunai missing my face by mere centimeters. Glancing around quickly gave me a few ideas. One: the rest of the team was in similar positions; Two: use a summon; Three: run; and Four: regroup and fight them off together. My hands came up sharply, blocking my attacker, Sharingan activated. I jumped back, falling lightly in the bushes, a scroll already in my hands. I had learned it from my father, but I didn't use it all that often. I wasn't a tracker, so I saw no sense in summoning dogs.

Pakkun appeared in front of me, his head tilted to the side as he glared up at me. "What do you want pup?"

"Call everyone else. Send Takumi to Konoha with my message and the rest killing off the enemy in front of me, quietly." I stressed quietly, stealth was needed and we had already botched the mission up once, we didn't need too again.

Pakkun nodded, Takumi appearing beside him in a cloud of smoke. "You need me Akira?" she asked in a motherly tone.

I nodded, pulling a small pack off my shoulders. I stuffed a quickly written note into the pack, tying it around her neck. "Take this to the Hokage: Tsunade. Okay?" She nodded her head, tongue lolling. "Good. Thank you Kumi. Run hard." I muttered, ruffling her fur before standing and turning away, Pakkun following behind.

"The rest are out there now. You've got more shinobi coming up from behind. About nine of them; enemies."

I nodded, ducking down to the ground as fire needles shot overhead. "Thank you Pakkun. I'll catch you at home."

"Be careful pup."

"I will." I whispered before charging into the fray once more.

---

"There. That should do it Itachi. Just don't use that arm for a little while longer." Tsunade tied up the bandage, pulling away.

"Thank you Hokage-sama." He stood up, carefully pulling his shirt back on. "Where's Akira?"

"On a mission. We had to pull her out onto active duty."

"When is she supposed to be back?"

Tsunade stopped musing with the equipment, a worried expression on her face. "Now that you mention it… she should have been back by now." She muttered, glancing at the door as a scratching noise started.

"What kind?" Itachi asked warily, his eyes thoughtful.

"What kind do you think? We're in a war right now. Damnit." She whispered irritably, jerking the door open in anger. She stood still, staring at the gray and white gray-hound in front of her. "Who are you?"

"I am Takumi." The gray-hound answered, stepping into the room slowly, shaking off the pack around her neck. "This is for you Tsunade-sama. From Akira-chan."

"Akira? Where is she?" Tsunade asked, Itachi digging through the pouch.

"She is not too far from here. She summoned my brothers and I to help out with the fight that was going on." The dog answered.

"Tsunade."

She looked up, her eyes going wide as she stared at the letter in Itachi's hands "What is it?" she asked, coming around to stand behind Itachi, glancing over his shoulders.

'Mission Failed. Alarm sounded. Out of fuel. Reinforcements welcomed.

46 N., 15 W.

Wolf.'

"Kami-sama." Tsunade whispered, turning back to Takumi. "Thank you for delivering this. You duty is fulfilled." Takumi nodded sorrowfully, disappearing in a cloud of smoke. "Itachi, stay here." She barked out, walking to the door.

"Wait! What are you going to do?" He asked, the letter crumpling in his hand.

"I'm going to get another team together and send them after the original team." She answered, shutting the door behind her…

---

I opened one eye, shutting it quickly as the other opened, and then both. "'Bout time sunshine." I turned my head to the side, groaning as I mock glared at Aislinn and Kitari. Aislinn was in the hospital bed, one arm bandaged. Kitari sat at the edge of it, a bandage across her cheek.

"How long was I out?" I asked, trying to sit up. I was pushed back to the bed, a hand on my shoulder.

"Slow down Akira. You took a lot of damage, both external and internal." Tsunade muttered, pointing a finger at my abdomen.

I glanced down, moving the covers and exposing the wraps around my chest and waist. "Looks like I did." I mumbled, through a smile at Tsunade, Aislinn, and Kitari.

"Don't you get smart with me brat." Tsunade grumbled, glaring at me.

I shook my head, the smile fading from my lips but not my eyes. "Yes ma'am."

Tsunade chuckled, glancing at Aislinn and Kitari. "Well, did you want to tell her?"

"Tell me what?"

"It's about your wedding." Kitari muttered, looking sad.

"What about it?" I asked, my eyes darting between all three women.

"Well, we might have to…" Aislinn paused, chuckling at the expression on my face.

"What?" I all but yelled, panicking.

"It's this weekend, sweetie." Tsunade finally answered, chuckling evilly to herself as she watched me.

"I… what…why… I hate you…" I finally managed, crossing my arms and pouting, wincing slightly. Three sets of laughter followed my words.

When I had been told the news, it was Monday morn. Tsunade had kept me in the hospital for a few days and I had practically gone insane with no visitors. Itachi had swung by once, telling me that he was setting up a surprise for me and that it would be ready after the wedding; then he left, even against his better judgment. Kakashi had stopped by also, before turning in a mission's report, which ended up with an angry-looking Iruka chasing my father around my room. Jiraiya and Naruto came by to say hi, Naruto jumping around exclaiming that his travels were the best and Jiraiya trying to get me to read his books. Over all, the first two days were busy, but after that no one came by except Sakura, since she was my nurse.

I was going insane…

Literally…

My wedding was tonight and I was lying in a hospital bed, clueless and dress less. I had started fidgeting, throwing kunai at the wall, and dropping water balloons at the passing people. I was able to leave my bed but not the room, even if I was fine and dandy. Tsunade had given me strict order to not leave the room and wander around the village. It was a great past time, to wander: you never really knew where you would end up. But, anyways…

There was a knock on my door and both Aislinn and Kitari entered, a box in Kitari's hands. "What's in there?" I asked, pointing at the box with a water balloon as I stood next to the window.

"A present." Both answered simultaneously.

"A present. I see." I echoed, the water balloon disappearing out the window, muffled cries following.

"Come here Akira. We have to help you into it." Kitari stated, setting the box onto the bed and opening it.

I quickly came closer, my eyes widening at the contents. Aislinn gently pulled it out, watching me as I ran my hands down the dress. It had a low cut front, long sleeves, and a hood. The dress was white, but the bottom of the sleeves and dress faded from white to dark blue and I instantly knew what it symbolized. My eyes came up and locked onto Aislinn's. "How?" was all I could manage.

"Specifically made for you. We asked for the blue fading because we knew it held a deeper meaning between Itachi and you." She answered.

"And we wont ask what that deeper meaning is." Kitari chimed in, a smile on her face.

"…Thank you…" I trailed off, my mind in a daze.

"Well, before you get all teary-eyed, we've got to get you into it!" Both Aislinn and Kitari stated, similar grins on their faces.

The rest of the day went by in a blur, only made real by the fact that I actually stood next to Itachi. That Tsunade actually stood before us and heard our vows. That my father actually walked down the aisle and gave me away. That I was actually stating a vow I had silently gave years ago.

I remember standing atop a stool, glancing into the mirror as Aislinn and Kitari fitted the dress to me. I remember watching the flower girl be bribed by chocolate to go down the aisle throwing flowers. I remember walking down that same aisle on my father's arm, flowers in my hand, my eyes locked onto Itachi's face. I remember feeling like I was floating, and the only person with me was Itachi. I remember not hearing Tsunade's speech, coming out of my little world as Itachi answered her question. "Akira? Do you take Itachi as your husband? To love and to hold, through sickness and health, for richer or poorer, till death do you part?"

"I do." I had answered, my voice ringing out loud and clear. Itachi had smiled, bending down to me as Tsunade concluded the ceremony. He brought our lips together in a deep kiss, one thought running through my head. One feeling running through my body.

Maybe…

My life wasn't filled with forbidden things after all…

Maybe…

I can be happy…

End

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Omg... (cries) it's the end... you know that 'flower girl' in the story near the end with the chocolate? hehe, that was me when i was about four or five at a fmaliy member's wedding. I was the flower girl but i was too afraid to go down the aisle, so they put a chocolate bar at the end of the aisle and i ran down it, not even bothering with the flowers. hehe...

So anywho...

Please tell me what you think!

Ja ne!

Akira