I do not own Naruto or any of the places, people, or original concepts therein. These are owned by Kishimoto. This writing is for the express purpose of fanfiction. I do not make any money off of this. I do, however, own the plot and any new characters that I may decide to throw in.

That is that. Enjoy the story!

Where The Blossom And The Redeemer Part

The room was filled with shadows. Only the light emitted from the tiny sliver of a moon allowed for her to see him. He was seated against the wall with his face turned to the single window. His expression appeared to hold no hint at his inner thoughts, but then he had always been a master at keeping his feelings locked within. For those who knew him as well as she did, there were subtitle clues. Like the minuscule downward tilt at the corner of his mouth.

"Sasuke," she broke the silence that had stretch since she had made her announcement.

"I know," he spoke his voice even.

"I'm sorry," she sighed as she fought to hold back the lump rising in her throat.

"I know," he spoke, "So am I." After a pause, he turned to look at her. There was a glimmer in his dark orbs that made her heart clench.

She lost her fight as a strangled sob escaped her mouth. Hands raising, she buried her face into them her as the sobs began to shake her petite frame. She heard his cloak shifting, followed by the sound of his boots padding quietly across the wooden floor. He was ever graceful even now in this moment of their torn lives and crushed dreams.

The bed springs creaked as he sat beside her and wrapped an arm around her shaking frame. "Shh," his deep voice shushed her as she fell into his chest. His hand rose to comb through her pink strands. "It's okay, Sakura. It's going to be okay."

The next morning Sakura woke in Sasuke's arms for the first time in years. He was already awake. When she tightened her hold on his cloak, he returned it just as firmly. This would be the last time they would be like this.

She breathed in his smell, taking in his wood smoke scent and cataloging it to her memory. He seemed to be doing the same as he placed a lingering kiss to the top of her head.

"I love you," she said with a matter-of-fact tone that left no room for doubt. In truth, she always would.

"I know," he sighed as they leaned away from their embrace. He wiped a dried tear trail from her cheek before two fingers rose to lightly poke her forehead. A humored snort left her and his mouth quirked slightly. There was a time when such a smirk would've dazzled her, taken her breath away. Now there was only a sorrowful pain in her chest. An expression fleeting as his face became somber once more as he searched her features, "I do love you." It was a statement, a fact.

She had never doubted that fact, even if he had only said the words twice before, when he asked her to marry him and after Sarada was born. That had been the first time she had taken this mission to meet up with Sasuke to exchange information he had learned and give new orders. Her smile turned bittersweet, "I know."

They got ready in silence, but it wasn't the heavy silence filled with dread and hidden emotions. Everything had been brought out of the shadows by the light of the Cheshire moon. With dawn came their new beginning and, in other ways, an end.

Bags on their backs, they stood in the room looking out the small window; it was a beautiful day. The storms had finally moved out, taking with them the clouds blocking the sky.

"Explain everything to Sarada," he spoke finally. His shoulders more relaxed than she had seen them in a long time.

"Hai, I will," she nodded. It was what she had been not looking forward too since she had made this decision all those months ago. "She won't understand," her defeated sigh made Sasuke chuckle.

He hadn't met his daughter, but he knew all about her inquisitive and sharp mind, "maybe not right now, but she will. With time." He looked to Sakura catching her gaze, "tell her- tell her I'm sorry. Tell her -" he let out a shaky breath as he faced the window once more.

Sakura heart clenched as she reached to squeeze his shoulder lightly, "I will tell her that her father has been given a very important job, that he is an honorable man and an excellent ninja, and that he loves her very much. The rest can wait until she is older."

The solemn Uchiha released a breath, "Thank you, Sakura."

Outside as they parted ways for the last time, but this time it was Sasuke who watched her back as she faded further away. The legal scroll had been signed and sent back to Konoha by one of his hawks. He looked up to the sky. It was the start of summer and the end of spring. His eyes flicked to the last spot he saw her head of pink. With the close of one chapter, a new one also began. Turning finally to head in the opposite direction, Sasuke couldn't help wondering what this new chapter would bring.

Well, there you have it. My first chapter.

Some questions you may have will be answered in the next chapter. I wanted this one to be focused on their emotions. Too many technicalities and details and backstory would have taken away from that.

This story is post-The Last and Sarada has been born. I want her to be old enough to start seeing that Sasuke being gone is odd, but I don't think I want her as old as she is at the start of Gaiden. So I made her 10 years old and in the Academy.

Hope you liked it!
~cherryflowerblossoms