Sakura stood there. Witnessing the power of Naruto and Sasuke. Those two, in her eyes were at a far greater power than she could ever imagine. After Madara had chased them into the dimension and had attacked her and Obito, they were forced to exit the pocket dimension and escape. Sasuke and Naruto had used that time to actually lay into Madara to prevent him from gaining his other eye and acquiring the full power of the Rin'negan.

The aftermath, was the destruction of major parts of the landscape and a battle that will not be forgotten for years to come. The war was over, Madara was defeated, and Sasuke and Naruto had nothing else to do but settle their differences. Sasuke was tired of fighting and submitted to the Shinobi Alliance, allowing himself to be taken in. A sense of normallcy returned, and for once in the years of the Shinobi, a true peace rang throughout the lands.

While many lives had been lost, people now had time to grieve and collect themselves. Things were not as happy as they had once been, due to the loss of those who had given their lives for the war. Many countries, both of moderate and small sizes had been destroyed from the releasing of the Ten Tailed beast. Naruto himself regained the rest of the bijuu's chakra and became one of the most powerful ninja's in the nations.

All in all, no one would be breaking the peace any time soon. Sakura had a lot on her mind. With Sasuke back she could pursue a true love interest with him. She had come this far to get him, and there he was in front of her. But as she searched herself...she couldn't find a reason to. She felt contempt for the boy she had loved, who on several occasions, had attempted to take her life. She was very conflicted. Then there was the problem of Karin, who had fought tooth and nail to reach him, even almost sacrificing her life to get to him.

Then there was Naruto. Her emotions would change when it came to him. The fourth Hokage had recognized Sakura as his Girlfriend, even likening her to Naruto's mother. She had found the thought entertaining a bit, but would she and Naruto really make a good match. She didn't know. She was soon swept up in a giant hug from Naruto.

"Sakura-chan we did it we did it!" He kept laughing over and over again. The true shock of it all had finally hit him. He had protected the entire world. He prevented the end of life as they knew it, and was recognized not only by Konoha, but each Shinobi Nation and every Land within their domain. Naruto was more than qualified for Hokage now, at least in his mind he was. Sakura smiled a bit as she decided to let it go for now.

The five Kage had a lot to talk over and work together on, including counting the amount of shinobi loss and trying to help the other nations around them. Time had passed and everything was slightly back to normal. Naruto was seen as a hero all over, gaining recognition world wide. Konoha couldn't decide how to handle Sasuke so he was still being held. While he had betrayed them, killed allied shinobi, and caused damage to the great nations at large. His actions in the war allowed them to combat Madara and Tobi, ultimately resulting in the war being won by their side.

Sasuke was a mixed subject. Ino and Sakura had gone to visit him and talked with him. He communicated a bit, but other than that, they didn't know how to reach him. He sometimes seemed distance, yet he was clam on the inside. What ever revelation Sasuke reached, it was one that changed him to the core. Naruto and Sasuke talked often and often discussed things like what was going on in the world at the moment. It was like watching long lost brothers finally connect with each other. Sakura had taken the time to sort out her feelings. It was easier for her to let go her feelings for Sasuke, but she was trying to come to grips with her feelings for Naruto.

Naruto and Sakura were team mates. Team Kakashi was still in effect, yet missions were scarce since peace was reigning. Most missions were C ranked to A ranked missions, with the D ranks not being counted, since only genin really did them. A lot of the missions were Escort Missions due to the amounts of Bandits and missing shinobi still roaming the land. While peace was good, there were still criminals out there who could be threats to the peace.

Naruto and Sakura's mission intake was increased, due to a lot of people asking for the Great Naruto Uzumaki. They had spent a lot of time together and Sakura was getting slightly nervous. She knew she cared for him, but she didn't know if she was just forcing herself to fall in Love with Naruto or if she truly did. After Naruto shooting her down, in her attempt to get him to stop chasing Sasuke, she had become unsure of her feelings for him. Sakura was tricking herself into loving people, and she didn't like that. She had done it with Sasuke, and she was now doing it to Naruto.

At least she hoped she wasn't. They were heading back from a successful mission and Naruto looked over in Sakura direction. Things had gone weird all day. First she didn't hit him like she normally did when he made disrespectful comments to high authority figures, then she didn't say more than three words to him during the mission. Now she had a look on her face of sadness, and Naruto hated that look...especially on his friends. Naruto made it his mission later on to get Sakura to smile. As they reached the Hokage Mansion, Tsunade congratulated them on a job well done, and sent them off promising their pay would be delivered to them. She gave them the day off and Naruto started his mission.

"Sakura-chan. How would you like to get some Ichiraku's Ramen with me. I have a coupon for one free bowl. So it's on me!" he stated placing his hands behind his head smiling a bit. Sakura looked up from her thoughts and looked at Naruto. She didn't really say yes to Naruto date requests, except that one when he came back to Konoha. But she felt as if it was a good time , maybe the alone time and talking would give them a chance to connect over something. She shocked him by smiling and saying sure and they headed off towards the ramen stand.

They ate a bit and chatted a bit, and Naruto noticed it was getting kind of late. "Hey, Sakura-chan...it's getting late. Would you like me to walk you home?" he asked. Things had been going well so far, it would be nice to actually get to chat a little bit before the next day came. Sakura nodded and they both stood up. Naruto left the coupon and the money on the stand, but Teuchi shook his head saying, "What kind of man would I be if I charged our greatest Hero Ever." and Naruto smiled leaving a huge tip to Ayame and Teuchi.

As Naruto and Sakura were making their way down the street, they passed a bench and Sakura asked if they could sit down for a moment. Naruto said sure, seeing as they weren't too far off from Sakura's house. Sakura sat down and Naruto sat on the opposite side of the bench, giving her some space. Sakura deeply inhaled and then closed her eyes. This was difficult for her, and she was hoping she was doing the right thing. While they were friends and she didn't want to ruin that, she couldn't leave things like this.

"Naruto...I want to apologize. In the Land of Iron, when I told you I loved you. You were right. I was lying to myself..." Sakura looked down a bit.

"Sakura, dont' worry about that...I under-"

"Naruto let me finish please." Sakura interrupted and Naruto nodded. "I've been thinking. Since the war. I have been trying to figure out how I feel about you. I feel shallow...for ignoring you all those times. When you only had my best intrest at heart. When you only sought out to protect me, no matter how much pain it brought you, no matter what you went through. I want to thank you for that, deeply. I feel, there's no way I could ever repay you for what you've done for me. Even keeping your promise to bring back Sasuke. Even thought it wasn't for me, I still thank you." She stated while looking up. She scooted closer to naruto and Naruto tensed up a bit.

Naruto looked at Sakura as she leaned in close. "Sakura what are you do-mmph" he stated before he felt lips on his before he closed his eyes leaning into the kiss a bit. He could feel Sakura shivering a bit with her being so close before she wrapped her arms around his neck and leaned in more into the kiss deepening it. As they parted from the kiss Naruto snapped back to reality he felt Sakura looking at him with nothing but unconditional resolve in her eyes. "Wha...what was that for?" he asked as Sakura leaned back.

"For everything. For being there when I needed you most. And for putting up with me. I owe you that much at least. I didn't kiss you to settle a debt or a score. I kissed you because for the first time in my life, I can honestly and truely say that I love someone. Naruto...I love you." she stated while she hugged him. There was no doubt, no ulterior motive, nothing. It was pure love in her voice. Naruto was a bit shocked. The first time she had told him, he knew she was lying to herself. This time, it felt as if she was truly wanting to submit her love to him.

Sitting there with her eyes locked on Naruto. Naruto had his mouth open with true shock written all over her face. Naruto finally returned the hug as she rested her chin on his shoulder and Naruto gripped her waist. "I don't know how long I've wanted to hear those words from you Sakura...I just don't know how to react I never thought I'd truely be here." He stated. He was just so happy yet he didn't know how to explain it.

"Start here...Accept my love. Let me return your kindness and caring that you've given to me over the years." she stated while pushing her body closer to his. Naruto leaned his head on her's as they stood there, locked in an embrace. He looked towards the sky as a tear fell from his eye. His voice betrayed his emotions as he gripped Sakura tighter.

"Anything for you."