End or beginning
It was over, Kaguya lay defeated. The only sound, was from the slightly laboured breaths of Naruto and Sasuke.
The quiet was becoming too much for Naruto as he asked 'Is it finally over?' Knowing that it was, but still needing to hear it.
The mastermind behind the threat, the one the world had to overcome, had changed faces many times, before she'd revealed herself. It was hard to relax, to believe it was finally over. Half expecting yet another threat to come forward.
'Aa' responded Sasuke
It was indeed over, they had won the war.
Standing on a cliff edge, Sakura stood taking in the scene below her.
'So it is over' she quietly mumbled. She was also finding it hard to believe.
Her two teammates faced away from her. Once again she found herself looking at their backs. That could not be helped she supposed but had still secretly hoped to be standing beside them. Wishing today was the day, she would fight alongside them completely, having unlocked her Strength of a Hundred Seal. Yet it seemed she had far more training to do, she tried to optimistically reason but couldn't help a sigh of disappointment.
Her attention back on them, she watched as Naruto began to advance on Sasuke.
Sasuke taunting him on something she imagined. Turning to face Kakashi, who stood behind her, she asked 'Ne, Kakashi-sensei will the people trapped in the genjutsu will be able to wake up now?'
'Hm, with the help from Sasuke's rinnegan they will yes.' He replied.
Naruto oblivious to how loud he was getting, interrupted the conversation. Sakura was sure she heard the word 'Hokage' being yelled and was able to work out the argument. She felt like chuckling, over the idea of Sasuke wanting to be Hokage. Not that he could not do a good job she thought, just his sudden announcement of his plans. A complete 180 from the whole, I will destroy Konoha plan.
His character of cold aloofness would make him, for most, an uncomfortable Hokage to be around she mused. Repairing his reputation with the villagers would be a hard and long mission, for the need to trust your Hokage was absolute. Sasuke was now staring at Naruto's back in that regard. She believed he could manage it though. Sasuke would receive some gratitude, when he frees everyone from the genjutsu.
Which was what they should be doing now. She and Kakashi jumped down, joining Sasuke and Naruto. Grinning widely, she congratulated them both. Naruto returned the grin, with Sasuke nodding slightly as Kakashi looked happily over his Team 7.
Her gaze flicked to where Sasuke was, he stood beside the first Hokage, as they worked together to free everyone from the genjutsu.
Turning Sakura watched, captivated as thousands of pods holding ninja, slowly lowered to the floor and then unravel.
As the first group of ninja awoke, Sakura rushed to them, checking them over to see if any needed medical attention.
This went on for a few hours, as time went on she was joined by more of the medical squad. With the help of those less wounded, the ninja needing the most help, were found and moved to temporary medical tents. Naruto stayed close by, giving his chakra to the most unstable and keeping the healers chakra up also.
Eventually finding time to stop, she sat herself down on top of a large rock. Enjoying the warmth of the sun. Hoping it would somehow chase away the shadows of the last few days, memories of which were sure to cause her nightmares, she thought with a shudder.
Hearing Naruto laugh she glanced over her shoulder to see him and Hinata enjoying each other's company, turning back whist smiling, she was truly happy for them and glad that they had each other to turn to for comfort. Even a quick glance she could tell they were both grieving for Neji, but they were helping each other through it. Tilting her head back she closed her eyes and finally let herself relax.
Sasuke looked over to the spot where Sakura was resting, the sunlight making her hair an even lighter shade of pink. He was still somewhat surprised by her earlier determination. Expecting her to stop once Kaguya was defeated. She had surprised him by rapidly once again checking for the safety of others. He found his respect for her increase, as he had only mostly expect her to break into tears, once again.
The fighting was over, the war won. Though it was not the case for the healers their fight to save lives was still going.
He had watched as she went from person to person, with a constant smile and comforting words. Never showing her exhaustion to them. Though he knew that she was, as her smile never reached her eyes and her face fell whenever she thought no one was watching her.
Sakura felt the sensation of being watched again. Opening her eyes, she looked around quickly. Not thinking she would see anything unusual. The makeshift camp was full of Ninja, it was not as if she was alone, but the nagging sensation would not quit and she was beginning to think she was imaging things due to lack of sleep. Finally she spotted the dark hair of Sasuke. He was leant against a tree, several tents down and he was looking in her direction. Their eyes locked, a sensation she could not quite describe washed over her. Feeling the heat of his intense gaze. However before she could work out whatever it was and if he could feel it to, he had disappeared into the trees. Sakura tried to return to enjoying the suns warmth, but failed. As the dull ache in her heart would not be ignored. His cold attitude was as painful as ever.
Later that night Sasuke was summoned before the Hokage. Tsunade stared at the last Uchiha. Fully intending to pardon him if he returned to Konoha. During his time spent as a missing-nin he had not harmed any Leaf ninja. Some, she thought may think her lenient but if he had not of worked with Naruto none of them would be here, not to mention it was his eye power alone that allowed them to break free from the genjutsu, they had been placed under. Though she wondered if he still harbored resentment towards the village. Or if he had decided to protect the village his brother dedicated his life to. This she had to discover before allowing him back.
Knowing he wasn't one to chat, she reached down behind her pulling a Leaf headband from a satchel. Hand open she offered out the headband to him.
Sasuke reached out to take the headband but stopped as Tsunade's hand moved away. Looking in to her eyes Sasuke raised a brow in a silent question.
'Before I allow you to return to your village, I must know if you still hold resentment towards it.'
'No' Sasuke slowly replied.
'Very well then, if you take this headband I trust you to protect the village with your life as any other Leaf ninja and know this, there will be no charges made against you.' Not that he wouldn't be monitored for a time Tsunade thought to herself.
Grabbing the headband, Sasuke secured it over his forehead. He had his answers, he'd re-join his village and make sure its current and future Hokage do not create others like his brother. He believed in what the first Hokage wished for.
The summoned Hokages released themselves from the rebirthing jutsu. All hoping to find peace, as their souls did not have to return to the Deaths God Realm.
The time came for Shinobi Alliance to disband and depart. Goodbyes were said and each headed off in their directions of home, taking with them the promises of Alliances and most importantly bonds of friendship.
Tsunade had decided that they were to travel in two groups. In one the injured, medics with a small guard as they would be moving slower. The remainder would go on ahead, along with Tsunade to make the necessary preparations for the others arrival were met.
Travelling back with the medics, Sakura noted how quiet everyone was. All deep within their own thoughts, with the loss of comrades or loved ones and then to being reunited with them in the jutsu, made the loss far more painful. Even if they had all known the world to be fake, their hearts could not tell the difference.
She too was dealing with her own loss. She had come to learn that her parents, had been guarding one of the villages that had been destroyed by the Ten Tailed Beast attack. There had been no reports of survivors but the scouts had not yet returned and given a full report so she still held on to hope. Finding herself feeling more and more alone, the longer she dwelled on it. Almost everyone had lost someone, her pain was not alone.
Seeing a dark flash to her right, her muscles tensed in anticipation of an attack. Whipping her head to the side, to see Sasuke casually walking alongside her. Relaxing just as suddenly her whole body seemed to droop, there goes her last shred of ninja composure she thought.
They walked beside each other in silence. She felt a calm settle over her. She had so many questions for him, but she didn't bother opening her mouth. He was not the type of person to indulge her in answering them. Why was he walking next to her though, she kept sneaking peaks at him. Trying to work it out in her mind.
Feeling as if time had slowed to a crawl. She had finally enough of the silence, "Are you okay Sasuke?" she asked.
"Aa" he replied, with that they were back to the silence. It filled her with nervous energy.
All those years chasing him. The words, to persuade him to come home. Here he was, just coming back with them willingly. No massive fight, not being dragged back by Naruto. Just walking beside her. Willingly. She could feel her heart pounding in her ears. Stopping, she let Sasuke continue walking ahead. But after a few steps he stopped to. Turning round to face her. They stood there looking into each other's eyes. She honestly had not expected him to stop, it was her way of running away from him. Helped by the fact, he would never normally notice or care. He gave her questioning look. She did not know how to explain her reasoning to him, not that she would even if she could it would be far too embarrassing.
She felt her heart crack a little more. She loved him. Everyone knew it. He knows it, he should know it, she thought. What she would not give for him to hold his arms open, so she could just run into them.
Screw it she thought. "I still love you Sasuke" her voice came out strong controlled. Wait, what, she thought, why did she say that? Heart beating erratically, "just so you know" she mumbled. Schooling her face to hide the turmoil within. She started to carry on, walking past him.
But he grabbed her arm and spun her round. She was flush against his chest. Time seemed to slow, looking up at his face. He was staring down at her, his eyes searching her own for something. Seeming to work out an internal question. She released a breath, she had not realised she was holding, ending up settling herself more within his arms. Causing Sasuke to tense, her heart dropped. Her eyes left his, lowering in rejection.
Sasuke felt something, though he was not sure what. Without thinking again, he lifted her chin up with his hand. Pressing his lips to hers tentatively. He felt her lean in to the kiss. He had never kissed anyone before never felt the need. But kissing Sakura felt right. He stopped thinking, all focus on the woman in his arms.
But it didn't last for long, realising this both disappointed him and annoyed him. He sensed someone, a scout most likely, about to come into view of them. He broke the kiss, stepping away from her. She looked shaky for a few seconds but quickly righted herself. Smirking, he started to walk again, as if nothing had happened. Though she wasn't moving, he turned smirking at her.
She seemed completely in her own world, her finger tips tracing her lower lip. Finally she noticed him watching her. He watched as she collected herself, jogging over to catch up with him. They returned to the group, in a comfortable silence.
With a slight blush on her cheeks she left, something about helping a patient. He found himself watching her leave. He couldn't believe that after all he had done, she still loved him. Taken back at how easily she admitted it, to him. He couldn't understand why he'd lost his iron control and kissed her.
He always found her irritating, when they were younger, though they had bonded when they were teammates. It reminded him of the last time, she proclaimed her love for him. It was different then, he was an avenger filled with anger. He thought her feelings, unimportant and the help she offered useless. With the years they had been apart both had gotten stronger.
Even after he tried to kill her, though she had started it. She had still not given up faith in him. He'd been manipulated most of his life, alone with his anger. But Team 7 had never given up on him. Never manipulated him, just tried to reason with him.
She kept busy all day, trying to keep her mind from the kiss. She was failing terribly at it. Her mind, worrying over all the many different possibilities. What had it meant? Did he regret it? It was hard to not think about! So she worked herself to exhaustion, hoping to sleep easier. As she curled up near her fire, that she had built away from everyone else. Needing the space. Leant back into a tree, closing her eyes. She recalled the kiss, smiling to herself it had been amazing. It was everything she thought it would be.
She had avoided him all day. She hadn't meant to but wasn't ready to be disappointed. Just because they kissed, she didn't expect anything to change between them just like that. If he thought the kiss had been a mistake, she wasn't ready to face it yet. She wanted to enjoy the feeling of hope a little longer.
Hearing the tree creak above her head, she looked to see Sasuke on a branch above her head. His eyes were closed, he looked very relaxed. Smiling she returned her gaze to the fire. His presence once again a comfort she fell asleep almost immediately.
Arriving back into Konoha, different medical staff waited by the gates to relieve them from the injured ninjas. Sakura felt like wandering, even after all the traveling. She had no home to go to. The childhood home she grew up in destroyed, all of her possessions gone with the photos of her parents. Wandering the new streets, she marvelled at how much work was completed while they were away. The villagers and the builders that were hired, had done incredibly well. Most of the main structures remained in the same location, which was helpful. She found herself outside the new hospital, it was much bigger than the last. It was obvious that Tsunade had a hand in the design, Sakura could see the many helpful improvements for staff and patients. Many that they had talked about before, she recalled as she went to find her former teacher.
She found Tsunade organising people with the help of Shizune.
"Sakura! Over here." Tsunade called.
Working her way through the chaos, "This place looks amazing Tsunade-sama" she noted.
"Thank you Sakura, but why are you here you should be resting? No patient is critical, you and the other medical staff did a wonderful job in getting them here"
"I was just wandering about, looking at the new buildings and such. To be honest, I need to go find where my new home is" she said.
"Ah! Well that's easy enough, ask Shizune. I'll see you later!" Tsunade called over shoulder as she got called away.
After finding out where her new home was, she headed off, following the directions she had been given. She now stood in the open doorway of her new home. It had wooden floors, the room was large and was already furnished. That made her happy, she took off her shoes and sat down on one of her new comfy chairs. When there was a knock at the door. Hauling herself back up, she padded over to the door. Wondering who it could be, considering she only found out where she was living a few minutes ago. She pulled the door open. "Sasuke" she said breathlessly.
He started to move closer to her. All she could do was stare up at him. As he closed the gap between them. Gasping as he swiftly lifted her up, her legs wrapping round his waist automatically. Their faces only separated by the tiniest of gaps. As he held her in place with one arm, using his other hand to carefully move the hair back, tucking it behind her ear. When he half growled the most beautiful thing in the world to her, knowing he wasn't ready to say anything else yet.
"I can't stop thinking about you Sakura" And then kissed her, shutting the door behind them.