AN: Ok, so I haven`t intended to write a Canon story so soon, but this is something that came to my mind and I couldn`t help myself but put it on words and post it here. I am not sure of the result and I am not sure if anyone is going to read this or is interested in this story so if it is that bad, or not worth the attention, please let me know so I will not consider writing more or even take it down.

"I will see you soon…"

"Thank you."

"You have nothing to do with my sins. It is my road to redemption."

*Sakura`s POV*

Those same words are drumming through my ears like the most calming soothing melody of a nightingale and it is the first thing I hear when I wake up and the last thing that lulls me to sleep whenever I close my eyes.

The same dear words I keep locked down the chest of wonders inside my heart like a mantra and I have always dreamed of ever since I heard him giving me the sole ray of hope that kept me going on and fight this battle against the implacable merciless time, until now.

I am fidgeting my hands in anxiousness and my feet feel steel like, as if they want to bury me alive deep down in the womb of this still weeping with bloody tears soil, as a token of the battles that have been going on, with the price of each shinobi who proudly sacrificed his life for the sake of the peace we have been celebrating ever since the last trace of Black Zetsu, Uchiha Madara or Ootsutsuki Kaguya have been gone on the wings of the cold winter wind.

Two years have passed since the Last Great Ninja War and I still feel like the innocent foolish kunoichi I was, with my childish but genuine love and my timid aspirations to surpass my mentors and make myself a reputation among the most prodigal shinobi.

I did the former and it was more than I could have expected to get, when I have been appointed as the head of Konoha's Medical Unit, as a recognition of my hard work, determination and great undeniable contribution during the previous war and for the first time in my life, I have shed happy tears when my hard working has been rewarded and I have spent three days celebrating in a way that would make my previous sensei and mentor Tsunade-shishou proud, together with my friends, colleagues and dear ones.

But what I cannot get rid of, is the image of him keep on coming back to haunt me whenever I close my eyes to the world imagine a reality where the two us could hold hands, unbind by our ancestor's legacies and sharp razors of deceiving, lies and revenge, which cut our bonds in a way I would have never guesses we would ever be able to mend.

Sasuke Uchiha will forever be walking in front of me as a shadow that lurks from the darkness he once represented and now his mystery has emerged to overwhelm me until it burnt my mind with tears of regret and false hope he placed upon my conscience, the moment he told me three words that have been my sole companion and friend until I have accepted to pay him back: "Maybe next time..."

I should have known that his all so vague answer were a habit he picked from his brother and Orochimaru, both speaking in the same general manner that left enough room for interpretation so as to determine their interlocutors to accept the reality they secretly wished for and fuel their hopes in vain. And I kept on waiting for him to come back from his journey-one that was supposed to be his redemption for the sins he has committed-and kept my hopes high.

I have even worked hard to get where I am now and be able to proudly stand beside him, one shinobi whose currently and probably only rival is no other than our previous teammate Naruto, but that day will never come.

The moment he got the permission to cross the village's front Gate, that time not as a rogue ninja leaving on the back door, but walking straight with a clear purpose in mind and a heavy burden pressing upon his shoulders, was the moment he took my dreams, my heart and my very essence away with him and he crushed and stepped on them once again, as if he never promised he will come back to me one day.

"I will see you soon..." He told me that day, when I have once again watched his back retreating, and I was never able to follow him. He never told me he would come for me and I should have known that, in this existence, I will never have a place beside Sasuke. From this point of view, I envy Hinata for having the courage and gentility to hold Naruto`s hand and be his shoulder to cry on and pillar to support his dream, in the same manner a rightful lover should do.

But I will allow myself no more tears. I dried my eyes of the endless rivers of tears I have shed waiting for him to keep his promise after I have bitterly realized that he was a true prodigy of deception just like his brother.

I remember all the unbelievable things he told us. Or maybe he told us what we wanted to hear. I don't doubt his feelings towards Naruto. I think he is being honest when he views him as a brother, after all, it was Naruto who always trusted and chased after him, while I was watching from the sidelines.

And he kind of has a mutual understanding when it comes to Kakashi sensei. It is his feelings towards me the ones I don't trust. After all, I was still being the annoying immature one who couldn't understand a thing about him and so I cannot blame him for wanting to keep the distance from such a person.

"Are you sure about this, Sakura?"

I heard it from everyone and it keeps on bothering me…the lack of trust in my ability to decide what is best for me they have. If they were my friends, they should have known better than to doubt any decision I make. Or am I that pitiful? "It can't be helped. I am a shinobi of the Leaf, a proud Jonin and the Leader of the Medical Corp."

I try to chant this titles I worked for and trained for down my mind, until I ran out of breath, sweat and blood, and I keep on trying to deceive myself that what I have is enough to fill in the hole Sasuke left inside my soul. From this point of view, I can totally understand Obito`s point of view.

It is not that I agree with his methods, but a more as a silent agreement and a frightening reminiscence of my own inner turmoil and painfully enough, the person he loved had a platonic way of expressing her care for him, unlike Sasuke who claimed to view all the members of the past Team Seven as a replacement for his family, but I think I could never raise to the standard of occupying such a crucial role into his life.

"And I have never doubted your abilities as a kunoichi or a doctor. I am asking you as a friend. Are you prepared for such a challenge?"

"Since when has one spoiled girl become a challenge and no one was kind enough to announce me?" I turn around to face him, keeping my hands on my hips, an impolite, harsh and commanding stance I have picked from Tsunade shishou during our sparring sessions together.

I know I am being unfair with him, but he would understand, after all, no matter how much I try to deny it, I know that part of me will always remain attached to the memory of Sasuke I keep on chasing, as a cold faraway star I will never be able to touch.

But ever since he has basically donated his medical services to Konoha after the Great War, Kabuto and I have became very close friends and believe it or not, he is an exceptional man.

Due to his tremendous contribution in reviving Sasuke and saving countless lives during the last fight, Kabuto has been granted the wish to look for the orphanage he has grown up into and return to the place he thought he belonged to and find his mother and brothers and he did just as so.

In fact, coincidentally or not, I was one of the shinobi who accompanied him in his little journey and it proved to be fructuous, for one of the once kids who he grew up with, was a shinobi whot fought side by side with us against the Akatsuki and the reunion was both shocking and overwhelming.

But just as sudden, like almost all the once villains who turned to help us defeat Madara and Obito, he had a change of heart and decided to repent for his past mistakes and try to redeem himself into the people's eyes, so on his own free will, Kabuto asked for the permission to remain in Konoha as a doctor under the direct supervision of the Hokage and Tsunade shishou, before she stepped down and let Kakashi sensei take her place and spread the Will of Fire among the youngest generation, granted his wish and made him one of the Head Doctors, under the permanent surveillance of two ANBU Black Ops and he agreed, without any complaining.

And due to his word, his help proved to be undeniable due to his medical acknowledge which is in par with my own. Soon, we have grew to accept one another and respect the other as fellow skilled doctors and when we realized how many things we could learn from each other if we were to bury our guns and cooperate, we became very good friends.

It is amazing how different Kabuto is now from the way he used to be back then when he worked as Orochimaru`s spy and I can easily say that his eyes are now free of vile intent and his smile is genuine.

Even Sai confirmed it and we were quite shocked to realize that he had no problem with this particular ex team member of mine and the nicknames he had for him. Then I realized he was just trying to make up for all the things he lost as a man without identity and rediscover his previous self.

Kabuto has became a true shinobi who now knows who he is, and he has been able to put the pieces of the puzzle together and accept his current life, never forgetting about the other undeniable hero of the Hidden Leaf, Uchiha Itachi and his valuable lesson, with the help of the Izanami.

And so I was stunned to discover not only a friend who understands every word I say, but the heartbreaking truth about a shinobi, a brother and a proud Uchiha who has endured more than all of us combined and suffered in silence for peace, on his own, guarding us all from the shadows, while we defamed his memory and crucified him by calling him a traitor.

And that was the moment I realized that I had no right to look into Sasuke`s eyes and pretend to understand him, even if it was just for a little. Those people he was surrounded by and equally deemed as S-Ranked criminals, were the ones who knew the truth and could rightfully walk beside him, because they understood his pain.

Nagato taught us all about universal understanding among people and his vision of peace was half correct. But I lacked the ability of finding the practical application of such an apparently easy principle, when in reality, my naivety kept on putting distance between me and the sole person I have sought acceptance from.

"You are trying to avoid the answer, but you cannot fool me, Sakura. I am talking about Sasuke. For you to accept to work as a-"

"And what was I supposed to do?! Tell the Hokage that I will not accept the mission, because, no matter how much of a great shinobi I might have become, I still cannot overcome my childhood crush and I am running away from him?!"

"…not in those words, but the idea is still the same. Look at you; you cannot even properly pronounce his name without getting distressed. What makes you think that you will be able to keep your calm and maintain a neutral façade when you will be face to face to him? Hm?"

Sometimes I hate how well he knows me and how much is he able to understand of my distress, or maybe I am a very bad liar, as Ino always says. Of course I will sell my soul to the Devil if that would mean being able to escape the mission I have been given, but I will not falter.

This time, no matter how much it hurts, I have to finally find the courage to move on. If the biggest war in the history of shinobi, since the Rikudo Sennin, has not been enough to make me grow and see the truth or accept it, then I have no right to bear the honor of being part of the Hidden Leaf Village or being considered the second generation of the Legendary Sannin, as a successor of my master Tsunade. And to think many consider my skills to be more exceptional than hers…

"Listen Kabuto, I appreciate your concern for me, but seriously, this has to end. Yes, I will not even try to deny the fact that it affects me and you now how much I love…I used to love Sasuke, but I want to move on and find real happiness. Isn't this something we all strive to find? Even you. This is why you are here. To find your way and redefine yourself. To recover your past self. It is the same for me."

I look around my office and mentally count all the things I have to carry with me to be of help on my journey and think of anything I might have forgotten but nothing comes to mind.

I rub my tired eyes with the back of my hands and I mentally curse at how bad they sting. Maybe I shouldn't have accepted another night shift, but since a certain onyx eyed Uchiha has been keeping me awake every each night, it is a habit I cannot get rid of unfortunately.

And I don't like the way Kabuto is looking at me. If anything, pity is the last thing I want to see on my friend's faces-or anyone for the matter- for a shinobi, is the worst way of considering him a low class ninja, who I am not. Or so I think. I know he is not doing it on purpose though.

"Is this the reason why you have accepted it? So, you think that being around him around the clock and seeing him every day is going to help you grow stronger and forget about him? Are you serious?"

I try to hold his almost amused stare with a nonchalance I have been practicing ever since my friends` mockeries have grown in number, regarding me being in love with Sasuke, but I know he sees right through me, as if he is looking through a crystal glass, so I sigh tiredly and walk past him, with my bag in one hand, intending to leave the hospital.

I want to pay my goodbyes to Naruto and Ino before I leave and I secretly long for a tight embrace from both of them. I need the courage they possess and I want it to be pushed inside my heart as reassurance that no matter how many painful memories I might return from my mission with, I will always have a shoulder to cry on and someone to wait for me to come back.

Ever since I have discovered that my parents have been killed by the Juubi`s Biiju Bomb, I have been left as empty as a porcelain shell and unfortunately, Sasuke has once again managed to rip a part of me and never return it. I have never told him how selfish he was.

"I am leaving, Kabuto." But I feel I shouldn't leave him with such a vague answer, after all, he is my friend and I trust him and his judgment completely. Moreover, he has been around Sasuke more than I have been and no matter how much it displeases me to admit, he knows him and understands the way he thinks or acts in more ways than I do.

If someone would have told me I will grew to ask for love advices from no other than Yakushi Kabuto, I would have told him to come and look for me the moment he wakes up from the Infinite Tsukuyomi. Sometimes I wonder if Madara`s infamous jutsu hasn't been successful and I am the only one who is living a nightmare. "This is my decision. Please don't judge me and support me. After all…dreams are for everyone one to make. This time, it is my time to decide."

"Sakura…"

"See you later." I don't want to spend anymore minute, afraid I will break down. I have long since given up on crying for someone who will never know of my tears. It is my time to be free, are the words I would have liked to say, but somehow, they never reached my tongue. I only chant them down my mind but my heart cannot be fooled.

I know that no matter how much I try, I will only be free when I get myself lost into those smoldering intense black sapphire eyes I came to adore and cannot live without. I can already see the Front Gate and I can even smell the clean spring cool breeze coming from the vast forest, ruffling through the leaves.

Soon, the nature will be in bloom and soon enough, I will turn 20 and be a full grown up woman. According to my childhood friend and declared sister Ino, I have found out the most beautiful of ineffable cherry blossom flowers.

I see the two familiar faces waiting for me just outside the village's barrier and my heart starts to pound in both joy and emotion.

Naruto and Ino are two of the people I cannot imagine myself without and ever since my parents and Ino's father have died, I have moved with the exquisite blonde into the Yamanaka`s home and her mother has basically adopted me into their family and welcomed me with the same peculiar familiar warmth her aura has been surrounded by.

And Ino and I have never been that close and shed so many tears together until our eyes got dry of all the painful memories that came to haunt us each night. She has found a new hope in life in the form of no other than my former teammate Sai, who found out that his racing heart and running intense pulse whenever he caught the sight of her aqua clear eyes and suave brilliant smile, were all signs of him being in love with her.

And Ino has proved to once again find the courage to rise from her own induced foolish fantasies and act accordingly to her status and age and agreed to walk the path of acceptance and rooting deep feelings, holding his hand, unlike me who keeps on clinging of a long gone lost nocturne fantasy.

"Sakura! Over here!" She waives her hand energetically to me and my heels are fast as rockets. I approach her and the moment we are face to face, she silently pulls me into a tight embrace, one that I instinctively and helplessly return.

I hear Naruto chuckle behind us, muttering something that is going to cost him a well placed punch to the moon and back, about women being troublesome. Maybe he spends too much time in the company of Shikamaru, for I have heard Temari complaining about men nowadays discrediting women.

Or maybe we should join Ten Ten's feminist movement and fight back. I will have time to defend the rights of my fellow amazons and be whoever I want to be when I come back, reborn. This is my new resolve. A resolve I want to shout it out loud to every citizen of my Village but more importantly, to him.

"Sakura, I thought you will make a run for it, like seriously!"

We pull apart when we felt like suffocating each other. I cross my fingers through my slightly longer rosy tresses and try to make myself look decent. Unlike her, there was no way in Hell I will wear that hideous make up she and the other kunoichi worships for making them look like someone they were not. An unnecessary mask I am not in need to wear, since my heart is like an opened scroll for anyone to come and have a look at its content.

"Funny, but no Pig, I will not make a run for it, since I can take my time and walk, like any other normal person would do." I shot back at her and it leaves her speechless and dumbfounded, a thing that makes me feel victorious even for a second. Then he burst out in laughter and shakes her head, so as to announce me that she found my sense of humor worth of being praised.

"Haha, yeah certainly Forehead, as if I would believe you are not going to break Gai sensei's past record and make it to Amegakure in two days flat, since you are basically dying to see Sasuke again. It has been like what? Two years? I am sure you are more than ready to make him keep that promis-"

"Oh cut it out Pig, I am going there to flirt! I am going there with an important mission for both our nations. Don't forget Amegakure`s still fragile state. Mistakes are not allowed."

Yeah, sure, since sending me from all the people straight into the lion's cage has not been the biggest mistake of all…just looking at Naruto's suddenly growing silent, serious and incredulous figure makes my knees turn to jelly and reach for the center of the Earth.

He knows what they don't know and it is the actual truth. My mission is more than a political one. But no one can hide anything from Naruto, especially Kakashi sensei since the energetically boy is basically living into the Hokage`s Tower and drive everyone crazy with his newfound hobby on meddling into their affairs and claim he wasn't going to leave, until he learn everything he needed to know in order to become the best Hokage and kick his former sensei's ass out of his rightful position.

Plus, he has all the Bijuus spread over the five Nations to rendezvous inside his conscience, as the Rikudo Sannin himself has decided before his spirit vanished from our known spiritual existence and keep him informed over everything that moved, meaning gossiping about anyone and everyone.

They even told him the color of my underwear or the perfume Hinata wears and the beating he got from one apparently aware of how to truly be angry Hyuga heiress was one to give his official rival Sasuke a run for his money.

It was both weird and funny and she truly proved that she can keep him on a leash if necessary. I am still not convinced if he finds that part of her personality challenging, fascinating or painfully scary. Maybe that is the reason why he teamed up with Shikamaru, who is hiding inside his home whenever Temari comes to visit and everyone agrees that her visits have became regular. And I am sure that not all the reasons are political or in the Sunagakure`s benefit.

"Pfff…yeah, keep on talking like that for as much as you wish, but I know better. In fact, I am here to give you a little parting gift."

She has a moment in which she questions my suddenly growing translucent as a ghost's face, but I decide to not let her swim in incertitude. "Don't…pronounce that sentence…ever again."

I cannot help but freak out at the idea of Orochimaru taking over my best friend's body, for his exact words from the Chunin exam were now echoing through my head. Or maybe it has to do with the growing anxiousness of my imminent encounter with Sasuke and since he has left short after Kakashi`s election as a Hokage, those are the sole solid memories I have of him.

Sasuke, as much as I would like to deny it, is a stranger to all of us. All of us except for Naruto, whose bond with him transcends this world's ability of understanding.

Even if the concept of transmigration is still one hard to grasp for my level of processing the shinobi`s untold myths and origins, I realize that their brotherhood stood the test of time and they can perceive things about one another that are only passed through generations, to people who have been chosen by destiny to be a memento of the once most powerful rulers, rivals and relatives, but the fact that he has left the village when he was a child and grew to be a man far from our eyes, still stands as a fact.

We have spent too much time apart from one another to claim I know who he is and the only tangible truth I have left from his current self, are his words echoing through my ears like a mirage.

"I will see you soon…"

"Thank you."

"You have nothing to do with my sins. It is my road to redemption."

So he has chosen to continue his journey without me once again. And once again I couldn't do anything, but watch his turning back and have my hands tied up. The words I keep myself drunk of like my former shishou is doing to forget the memory of pain. Indeed…he wasn't lying entirely. I will see him soon enough. Sooner than I have anticipated and it scares me to the point I feel my heart screaming, bleeding and crawling at my chest to find air, salvation and escape.

He never told me he was going to be alone. And he has never told me to wait. All that he fairly said, was that he thanked me and I suppose is for the moment I have shared my chakra with Obito and pulled him out of the desert dimension that Kaguya has locked him up to, back then when we have faced her, and I have once again mistook love for gratitude. Maybe it was because I am not used to see him expressing emotions, hence my laughable idiocy.

But if you were to trust Orochimaru or his former Taka teammates, Uchihas are famous for their ardent feelings and unmatched ability to love.

"You are being weird again, and this is why you chase away the hot guys. Psh…relax." She places a small plastic bag with a questionable black and pink ribbon on it while I was busy daydreaming over my unfortunate life, and she forbids me to take a look at the content, until I reach my destination. If it is one of Jirayia`s Make out Tactics books, which have become viral over the night, mysteriously, I swear I will turn to hunt for her head. "Here, use this, be a woman and prove him what a stupid idiot he has been to leave so soon."

And I definitely don't like that wicked grin as if she has entrusted me with the knowledge of all the truths. I am even afraid to watch. I throw a weak probably horrifying fake looking smile and rub the back of my nape, accepting the gift.

Where was Hinata and her Byakugan when one needed her? "T…Thanks…I think…"

"Oh, c'mon, stop being so tensed as if you are going to fight the Juubi alone and chill! I swear those visible wrinkles are going to make you use Tsunade sama`s Healing Technique soon…"

"Yeah right, as if I am going to retort to such methods and my complexion is perfectly fine, thank you very much." I brush her shoulder friendly, walking towards Naruto who was trying to determine the content of the package I have been given, probably intrigued by whatever looked like a mystery to him and I cannot help but punch his shoulder, playfully making him get a hold of himself.

I try to avoid hitting his right one thought, for I know how much it hurts him to be reminded of losing his hand in combat, although he is good at not showing it.

In fact, the had the nerve to say he is proud of having to recover his bond with his lost friend through blood and sacrifice, like two youthful grown up God level shinobi, and I stopped questioning further, because the resemblance with Lee's shinobi code freaked me out more than Orochimaru`s willingness to accompany Tsunade shishou on her journey through every nation and provide medical help to whoever has suffered casualties or has been left in need after the war, civilians especially.

"Besides, that growing pimples don't go well with the purple skirt. Some will suspect that you are practicing witchery."

"Forehead!"

"Pig!"

No matter how much I would like to spend my time bickering with one blonde sister, I have to face Naruto's soft, but reproachful stare and I cannot prevent myself from exhaling deeply, well aware of what he was going to say.

"Sakura-chan…I have told you before and I am gong to repeat myself now…I don't like people who lie to themselves." Of course, he knows. There are only three people who know about the true purpose of my ultra secret mission and one of them is Naruto.

He whispers so as Ino, who is busy beating the heck out of Izumo, the shinobi on patrol again, for telling her that she indeed grew some barely visible pimples and her hips got bigger, wouldn't be able to hear us or any other curious eye that might eavesdrop. There are some Rookie Nine I know who have no problem in doing that and unfortunately their number is growing. My fists are starting to itch.

"I know what you want to say Naruto, but I will not decline the mission and you know I cannot allow you to switch places and NO I will definitely not allow you to use a Henge no Jutsu and pass as another Konoha kunoichi."

God forbids him slipping inside Amegakure cross-dressing. Not only will he embarrass our village, but he will create even more havoc among an already fragile country and another civil war is the last thing we need. I seriously doubt he is ever going to grow at least two additional neurons.

The sole he has starts to feel quite alone in his big empty head. I fight the urge to punch him again because the sincerity into his sparkling cerulean eyes overwhelms me. He wants nothing but the best for his friends and I know he is willing to do the dumbest of things when it comes to protecting us, but I cannot allow him to step down to my level.

If anything, I will not permit my aspiring to become a leader and this world's hero to dirty his hands and put his reputation on line just for the heck of our mistrust and reprimanded feelings that we cannot overcome ourselves.

Me and Sasuke alone. Like he once declared, this has nothing to do with him or anyone else, but the two of us. I wish it was something deeper and more significant going on between us, but apparently we cannot always obtain what we wish for.

"Why not? I will make a good kunoichi!" I can't believe the easiness of his changing moods and I slap my forehead at how willing and eager is he to make a fool of himself. "I am Pervy Sage`s student, have you forgotten? Besides…Kakashi sensei has taught me some very useful things about women's behavior-"

"Stop it right there, you creep! I don't even want to hear it, because it is going to make my ears bleed!" If there is something that scares me worse than Madara gaining Rikudo`s level of power is the lines Jiraiya sensei picked for his should be thrown into the Valley of End books.

Seriously, how bad someone must to have suffered in life to stand reading them entirely and even be able to recite the passages or take the advices there seriously?

"Anyway…I just want you to take care of you, Sakura chan. Don't let anyone hurt you and more importantly, take care of Teme." He places his hands down my shoulders, giving me a little squeeze and I can feel the pleading tone in his low, calm and slightly throaty voice. Is he worried for Sasuke? What for? From what I have heard, he is doing pretty well.

In fact, he has made himself quite the reputation and it looks like no matter what sins he might commit, he still has that innate mysterious fascination people find charming and it is all that it takes for him to make them change their view on his persona.

He said he wanted to uncover some things that were not clear to him and, even if he hasn't told us what exactly was bothering him in all this time, the word that he, and one of the two formidable shinobi who have saved us all became a second Jiraiya, wandering through the world and helping whoever was in need was traveling and offering his services, has spread like drops of dew in an August morning among the Five Nations.

I just hope he isn't going to start writing R-Rated books, or I will consider being under the influence of the Infinite Tsukuyomi. As far as I am concerned, he seems more like the original members of the Akatsuki. We all heard the emotional story of the prominent figure that Nagato was and his willingness to change his people and fight along the others to achieve peace, by lifting his hand and offer support, instead of hate.

He understood that the power of suggestion and words were more viable options than weapons and even if Sasuke was not the most eloquent man out there, his actions were enough for him to prove himself and help him redeem and redemption was what he did. So much that he is on his way to make his goal come to fruition in a way or another, and take the lead of a nation.

A nation that, ironically enough, is the one where all our suffering have started. A nation who was meant to achieve universal peace and it was quite close to obtain it, if not for the seed of evil to have been inconspicuously placed within its root and watered to grow, until it engulfed and twisted its once rightful leader's minds.

Amegakure.

A land which has stopped grieving, a nation which can finally see the light.

I make a rash promise of that I am not certain I am able to fulfill, in the spur of a moment and growing adrenaline. "I will."

"And tell him that if he as much as makes you suffer, I will personally come to beat him to a pulp and knock some sense into him, as I have done before." I am afraid I will take his place and do that for him if escalading fury will take over my sadness, bitterness and burning jealousy.

"Don't worry about me, Naruto. You take care of the others and more importantly…" I decide to mock him a little and maybe help him open up his eyes to new horizons. Ones that are not so far out of reach and shine right in front of his still oblivious eyes. "…Hinata said she wants to try out Ichiraku`s new Ramen recipe. The one with extra misso soup."

"Really?" Was he still having second thoughts? The shy girl has done her best to come out of her shell and confessed to him so many times during war, so why was he still hesitating?

I feel like throwing myself into a bottomless waterfall for thinking that he still nurtures feelings for me and that I am the reason why he cannot lift up the veil upon his eyes that prevents him to accept Hinata's declared devotion.

After all, I don't know what he sees in me, since Hinata is a true refined educated lady, and my plain self pales in comparison to her grace. "Of course. And she keep on telling me we should go there one day, but you know how busy I can be with all the work at the hospital and-"

"I have two extra tickets and I don't have any mission and…do you think she would want to come with me?"

Was he serious? First she is going to faint, then she will follow him till the end of the world. She did it once, so why not repeating the experience? After all, she was there holding his hand when he was ready to give up on his dream and succumb to Obito`s deceptions. "Of course. Just ask her out. Be careful not to say something stupid."

"Pf…don't mistake me for the Teme." How would I be, since they are the total opposite of one another? But then again, it was Madara himself the one to say that when the two opposing forces in the universe come together, real happiness can be achieved.

"This…is never going to happen. I am taking my leave." I tilt my head so as to have a view on my friend who, apparently is going to murder a fellow Leaf shinobi soon. "Take care of that eccentric friend of mine and her equally big like yours ego."

"Sure thing. Take care. I am serious Sakura chan, if you are in trouble or simply need someone to talk to or beat the crap out of anyone, just send Katsuyu and I will be there in an instant."

I know he is serious and that is why I reward him for the care he shows by pulling him into a tight embrace. It would help a lot if he would have been two heds shorter than he is now. Ah, they grow up so fast. "Thanks Naruto. Take care."

"You too, Sakura chan."

And I take my leave, not once looking back. The moment I let my steps get lost deeper into the endless darkened forest, I speed up. It is not the fact that I want to listen to Ino's stupid idea and challenge some old eccentric man's outrageous records. It is anticipation that pumps blood through my veins and boils my every fiber.

I instinctively brush my fingers over my pouch, furrowing my eyebrows. A sharp sudden cold wind grazes over my temples and cheeks, making me shiver, as if to add to the sudden solitude I feel. I feel no chakra beside my own around so I am all alone in here. And except for the basic ninja tools, I have decided to add another item which is even more valuable than my very life.

Itachi's diary. I went through Hell and back to find it and I won't stop until my eyes have absorbed any line written there, like a sponge and my mind hasn't processed every bit of information about the life he lived. If I want to claim I come to understand Sasuke`s past actions and face him properly, I have to understand the origins of his pain. And Itachi's tragically life is one of them.

Besides being a shinobi who possesses the Rinnegan and has a part of the ancestor's of all the shinobi chakra, Sasuke is a man who loves his family more than his very life.

And he has chosen to pour his passion and prove that he is a worth heir of his famous ancestors, to another woman who he agreed to marry with. A woman who is the sole daughter of a very prominent and wealthy feudal lord and Amegakure`s current leader and a woman who is the total opposite of me. And soon I come to realize that maybe mine and Sasuke`s history together was just a brief encounter.

And to think that my real mission is to be the guard of the very same woman who is going to take a place I wished to have been mine one day, until the ceremony is over and make sure there is going to be no assassination attempt, is outrageous enough to make anyone who knows about all the details question my masochistic side or my mental sanity. And the purpose of it is to prove Konoha`s loyalty and recognition of Amegakure as one of the Ninja Nations.

I pick up my pace the moment I realize that my eyes start to fill with unshed burning tears. At least the blowing wind is a good enough reason to delude myself it is because of the weather condition the reason I am showing my weakness in front of God.

There are two good things waiting for me the moment I step into Amegakure and that would be: first, I am not going to be alone on this mission.

Second, the other shinobi platoon that has been elected to participate to the ceremonies and ensure the success of my own mission consists of three shinobi from Iwagakure, Sunagakure and Kirigakure.

And one of them is none other than the Kazekage of the Hidden Sand, Gaara and seeing how things have turned out to be, I am considering of accepting his proposal and for once in my life, let my feelings be free from Sasuke`s overpowering influence and make a decision for myself, meaning to accept the Kazekage`s proposal to become his wife.

But then again, at that time, I had no idea of what Sasuke had in mind as well, and as usually, destiny has proved to have more surprises in stock for us than we would have anticipated…