Summary : "Loving you kept me alive, Sakura" "Sasuke, the day I found out that you're dead, part of me died too" "But I'm here. I'm really here. I'm back. For you"

1920

Tennessee, America.

A five-year old boy was with his nine-year old brother in a paddy field, watching their father landing the flying fighter plane that was up in the sky.

"You're the greatest, dad!" he shouted.

His father smiled. "One day, it'll be your turn to fly this, Sasuke."

The boy smiled widely. "Really dad? Are you serious?" His brother chuckled. "Of course Father is serious. When was he ever not?"

Their father chuckled. "I know that someday both of you will make me and the country proud."

Not long after that, a lady's voice was heard. "Boys, come inside. Dinner's ready!"

"We're coming, Mikoto!"

They went inside. "Hey dad?" "Yes?" "I will make you proud of me"

"Dad," the older boy called out for his father. "Yes Itachi?" the boy was silent for a moment. "What if we have to go for war?"

"…"

"Father?"

"…I wish you kids would never have to face the war. No one should see what I've seen, the horrors of war."

They continued walking to their home in silence.

18 years later…

A train was on its way to New York City. A group of twenty-three years old ladies chatting could be seen in the seats of the train.

"So Sakura, tell us. Are you excited to finally be back?" A blonde lady of the same age started a conversation after they had aboard the train.

A pink haired lady laughed lightly. "'Course I am,"

The ladies made an 'ooh' sound. "And why is that?" one of them asked.

"I am just excited to be home, that's it."

"Or is it something more?" The blonde teased.

"Could someone be possibly waiting for you already?" a brunette, Tenten asked.

Sakura giggled. "Well, it's a really long story ladies,"

"Oh, we've got time"

"Alright, if you say so. It begins when…"

Flashback

It was a medical checkup for the new pilots that have just entered the pilot military.

Two new-ly pilots were walking together to get to the required stations. Along the way, they saw a few men was lining up at a counter and a man was begging at the counter, "Please Sir. I need this. Please don't put that reject sign on my file. Please Sir" "I'm sorry, I can't. You have to pass the reading sight before you can proceed" a somewhat doctor chopped 'Rejected' stamp on the man's file. "Sir, Please" "I'm sorry"

"Itachi, I can't do this. What if I got rejected too?" said man gulped.

"We can get through this, Sasuke. We can. Just stay calm" Both of the men walked till their destination.

Sasuke gulped and put down his file on a counter where a pink-haired lady was seemingly writing some medical stuff on a piece of paper.

"You can do this, Sasuke" he nodded.

Sasuke breathed in.

" A S D F G H J K L. Eyes like an eagle, Ma'am" Sasuke blurted out rather fast.

The lady, which was nurse, looked up and looked at Sasuke. "Slow down, flyboy. Read from the bottom, right to left till the top"

"…."

"Go on"

Sasuke gulped. "L.. H..K.."

"L K J" the man behind him whispered.

"L K J, i mean." He cleared his throat. "L K J D S H"

The nurse looked at him. "Again, from the bottom, right to left till the top"

"L K G, I mean J, H, G.. I can do this Ma'am. I know how it looks"

"I'm sorry, Lieutenant. I really am, but army and navy requires 20/20 vision." " "No please. My eyes are perfectly fine, Ma'am." "Well, if they're fine, why can't you-"

"It's alright Ma'am. I can do this"

"Well, maybe you can go back to the academy and learn again, then you might consider coming here and read it again"

Itachi cleared his throat. "Well I think he's done. So it's my turn now"

"You hang in there, tiger"

"..Yes Ma'am"

"Now, as I said it, go back, and learn again, then come back"

"Ma'am please. I'm never gonna be an English teacher. But I know why I'm here: to be a pilot. And you don't dogfight with manuals. You don't fly with gauges. I mean, it's all about feeling and speed, and lettin' that plane become like a part of your body. And that manual says that a guy who's a slow reader can't be a good pilot. That file says I'm the best pilot in this room " I understand but it's part of the medical test"

Sasuke put his elbows on the table and had his face straight in front of the nurse's, but not too close for the nurse's comfort.

"Ma'am.. Please don't take my wings" he pleaded while looking straight in the eyes of the nurse.

Not long after that, a sign that wrote 'Passed' could be seen on the pilot's file.

Current

"Awww.. that was so sweet. I bet he's a really charming guy,"

"That's not only it, Ino"

Flashback

"Hey man, give me your file" Sasuke said to his comrade, Naruto.

"What? What for?"

"Just give it to me,idiot."

"Fine, here."

Sasuke took the file from his friend's hand and continued to a counter with the sign 'Station 3' where a certain nurse was standing.

He handed the file that he took from Naruto and passed it on to the nurse, Sakura.

She opened the file and began scribbling down few things.

Sasuke sat on the bed and rolled up his sleeve.

While the nurse was preparing a needle to be shot, he spoke up. "Ma'am, what made you do that just now?" "Hmm? Do what, pilot?"

"You know , you passed me when I barely could read the board"

"Do you have a problem with that, pilot?"

"No, I just, I just wanted to thank you for doing that for me. You're my hero. I really appreciate it"

"You're welcome," and she shot the needle into his arm without giving any warning.

Sasuke winced. 'Damn' he thought.

He stood up.

"Hold on a second. Miss, I really really like you and I just wanted to know if I could donate dinner, well, buy you dinner." he said in a dizzy state.

"What are you talking about? Why are you - Wait, this isn't your file." she said surprisingly. "Have you already had this shot?"

"Yes. So can I ask you out to dinner tonight?"

"What? No!" Sakura answered, confused.

"Alright –" BAM! Sasuke slammed his nose onto a nearby medical tray.

"Oh my god Sakura! What did you do?" Tenten surprised. Sakura looked at her nurse friend . " W-Well, he.."

Later that night…

Sasuke was sitting on bench when he saw the nurse he tried asking out, exiting the medical building.

"Ma'am" he went straight to her.

Sakura was laughing along with her friends when she had met him. She then told them to go first without her.

"What is it, pilot? Is your nose okay?" she seemed concerned.

"Yea, um, I thought we could celebrate"

"Celebrate what?" "You know, you. For being my hero. For passing me."

Sakura sighed. "Aren't you tired of chasing me?"

"No, Ma'am."And he showed the bottle to her.

Sakura sighed again. "Alright."

They sat on the stairs in front of the building.

"Ma'am, I really want to thank you again" Sasuke said while trying so hard to open the cork of the champagne bottle.

Sakura just looked at him and nodded. "Ma'am-"

POP!

The cork went up flying to Sasuke's already hurt nose.

"Oh my god, are you alright?" she asked, concerned yet again.

Sasuke closed his eyes and groaned again. 'Not again…' he silently talked to himself. He groaned once more.

He tried leaning down to the lady's shoulder, but then retreated back and sat up straight, not without glancing at her.

Sakura, feeling pity for the man, had asked him to lie in lap, and she wiped the blood of his nose. She giggled.

While he was laying in her lap, she took a nearby piece of ice that was on the stairs (since it was at night, and winter's about to stop, and the remaining snow was still evident) and she gently rubbed the ice to his noce.

"Ow!" Sasuke jerked his face.

"Shh, don't. Just stay calm." She assured. Sasuke stared at her a moment. They kept looking at each other in silence for what seem like an eternity.

"You're so beautiful, it hurts." He whispered to her, not breaking the look, and their position.

Sakura, still rubbing the ice on his nose, chuckled. "It's your nose that hurts,"

"Ahhh.. I think it's my heart."

They stared at each other in silence again…

Until Sakura slowly leaned down and descended her lips to the pilot that was laying in her lap.

And they kissed passionately, in front of the building, in the winter's night, where there were only both of them can be seen.

Current

"Awww.. that is really sweet! I wish I could have my fairytale!" Ino called out. The girls giggled. "He must quite a guy." Hinata, another nurse said. Sakura smiled. 'He sure is,' she thought.

"Alright Ladies! We have now reached New York City!" Tenten exclaimed. Soon, the train had stopped at about eight at night.

Sakura was the first among the four ladies to get down from the train. As she was going down the little stairs of the train, there stood a man holding his pilot cap, in his full pilot war fighter uniform, looking directly at her. He flashed her a smile and she quickly ran into his arms and he grabbed her, kissed her while spinning her around.

"I've missed you," Sasuke whispered.

Sakura chuckled.

Soon, Ino came running towards them and shook her hands eagerly with Sasuke. "Hi, I'm Ino. Do you happen to have any friends?"

"Pick your choice," he nodded his head to his friends who was standing a few feet behind him.

Later that night …

A dance ball was held to celebrate the pilots who were going for war and also for the nurses on duty at a small hall. Old classic 40's songs could be heard and the pilots were dancing together with their dates.

A couple where the lady was wearing a red dress could be seen slow dancing with her date, who wore the US complete war pilot uniform at the middle of the dance hall.

"I miss you. I really do," Sasuke whispered, while his hands were on his date's waist.

"I miss you too. How long has it been, hm?" Sakura replied.

Sasuke chuckled.

"It doesn't matter. As long we're here, you're here with me." He replied.

"When's the next training?"

"Sakura, please. I don't want to think about it right now. Tonight's just about you and me,"

She was the one to chuckle this time. "Alright,"

"Hey, there's a place I want to take you to. Come on,"

"But where to?" she asked, confused.

"Come on," he grabbed her hand and they went out of the hall and went to a shore, with boats and ships.

"Here, step on." He guided her to step into a boat and then he entered into it too. He then took out the paddle of the boat and started paddling slowly till they reached somewhere in the cold sea, but too not far from the shore.

"Hey, you're not trying to kidnap or anything, aren't you?" she giggled.

Sasuke's expression turned to a serious one. "What if I am?"

"Umm, uhh.. this isn't funny," she said.

Sasuke stared at her with a hard expression.

After it felt like eternity she was under his stare, suddenly Sakura heard a chuckle coming from the man. "Relax,"

He came close to her and kissed her cheek, then put both of his hands on behind her waist. She giggled.

They stared again, and finally he closed the gap between their lips. The kiss was gentle and passionate, much like Sasuke. The lady while still kissing her handsome man then walked back to sit down,

"Ahh!"

but unfortunately, without them expecting it, she was about to fall off the boat, till Sasuke caught her in an instance.

"Whoa! Sakura! Are you alright? Okay, THAT was not part of the plan!" Sasuke reassured her. She sighed in relieve, then giggled. "Thank you," she said in return.

"Alright then, we better get back before they find us,"

"What the hell are they doing? They should be down here by now! " a Captain shouted at his pilots. "You'll just have to look at them, Sir. Then you'll understand"

"It better be good,"

"Alright. Let's do the Chicken Game like we used to, Itachi." Sasuke talked through the jet's microphone.

"What? Sasuke, we aren't little kids anymore. This isn't the time to play some stupid game!" Itachi replied.

"So which are you going? I'm going right."

Itachi sighed. "Fine, little brother. Chicken Game it is. I'm going left,"

"Going left, right?"
"Right,"

"Wait, which right? Now you got me confused! Make up your mind!"

Their jets almost collided when Sasuke took a turn and Itachi took the other.

Their comrades who were watching from the land cheered as they managed to dodge each other and the training was considered complete. "I told you Sir. They can make it." Naruto said.

Jiraiya smirked. "Now go back to the center before I kick your asses off!" he yelled.

"Yes Sir!" they shouted in unison.

Itachi ruffled his little brother's hair as they had successfully landed. "That's my brother," Sasuke smirked.

Back at the Sir Jiraiya's office, Sasuke and Itachi were being called by the Captain. Itachi was sitting on a long chair together with Shikamaru, another pilot. Sasuke, on the other hand, was standing facing the Captain, getting ready to be scolded.

"What the hell were you thinking? You could've killed each other! The jet would go to waste too!" Jiraiya yelled.

"I understand, Sir" he replied.

"But like they say Sir, it's 'Baka', meaning strategic, Sir"

"That's bullshit in Japanese!" Jiraiya yelled. He then walked to his table.

"…."

"But I'm proud of you. I'm proud of both you."

"Thank you,Sir."

Jiraiya handed Sasuke an envelope. He looked at it. "Sir?"

"It's your application form. You've been accepted into the British Air Force. For your training."

Sasuke's face showed happiness and glad.

"And Sasuke,"

"Sir?

"Goodluck Captain Sasuke Uchiha. You'll be needing the skill. America hasn't got war. For now." His smirked widened.

"Everyone dismissed"

Outside of the US Air Force Building

"Sasuke, you don't have to do this." Itachi said.

"Jiraiya assigned me. He wanted me to get some… some real combat training."

"Well guess what? It isn't training over there, it's war. Where losers die and there aren't any winners, just guys who turn into broken-down wrecks like father. Now if trouble awaits me, I'm ready. But why go looking for it?

"Itachi. My goal is to be the US Air Force pilot. A skilled one at that. England is just part of the training."

"It isn't training over there. It's war! You're not flying to make yourself better. You're fighting for their country!"

"Itachi –"

"Hey! Come on! We can't let the ladies wait!" Naruto shouted. "We have another dance to attend!" he shouted again.

"Sasuke please. Think about it. About us. Think about Sakura!"

"Itachi, get over it."

That night, there was another dance being held. This time, it was at one of the famous places in New York.

Sasuke was holding his date's right hand while carrying his uniform coat. Just as they were about to enter the door of the building,

"Wait, Sakura. Come on for a second." He pulled her to the side of the building.

Sakura, even though surprised, followed him. "Hey, what's wrong?"

Sasuke stopped and faced her. "You know how much I wanted to be the Top Pilot in the Air Force and, a pilot fighter for the war, right?"

"I do. But what does that has got to do with tonight?"

Sasuke gulped. "I volunteered to train in England… and I got accepted."

"Sasuke.. what, what's the meaning of this?"

"It means.. I'm going to England tomorrow. At noon."

"But you have the US! Why would you want to for someone else's country just to – "

"It's my choice, Sakura. I wanted this."

"I- I don't understand." She almost shed a tear. He hugged her tightly "NO, no, please. Don't cry. I'll train there for a month, then we can be together again." He said.

Sakura kept silent and nodded in his chest.

He then took again her hand and led her to the entrance of the building and entered.

But he retreated. "Wait. I can't. I can't say another goodbye to you. It was hard enough to say it back just now. You go ahead."

Sakura looked at him. "Take this." She untangled the pale peach-pink colored scarf she wore on her neck and put it on Sasuke's. "Remember me by this way, okay. And then you bring it back to me," she said, and kissed him on the cheek, slowly and affectionately.

He replied back by kissing her on the lips, in a gently way, then with a little bit force, as if that was the last time they'd see each other.

"Tomorrow, please don't come to the train station. It's already hard to let you go again," he pleaded. Sakura nodded lightly.

Sakura then entered through the door, and looked back at him. He put up his free hand that wasn't holding his coat, and waved lightly to her. "Bye" he mouthed.

Sakura sent him a flying kiss and waved back. She then walked away, and left him standing outside, staring at her.

The next afternoon, New York train station.

Itachi put his brother's bag down and sat. "Really, Sasuke. You don't have to do this. I'm already proud of you, you know. Father is too."

"Itachi, please. Don't even start." He hugged his brother, the man-ly way. "You take care alright. Have a great time in Hawaii. Tell my girl I'll miss her, alright."

Itachi nodded. "You come back, you hear me. Come back. For me. And for her."

"I will. I promise." And he went into the train.

"Excuse me Sir, where is the train to England?" a lady with pink hair asked, in a hurry way.

"I'm sorry, Ma'am. Its already going to be on its way," the man at the information counter replied.

Sakura then ran to the trains she saw, and tried searching for him, but it was in vain. She closed her mouth with her hands, restraining her tears from coming out.

Sasuke looked outside, and unexpectedly, saw his beloved girlfriend. "Sakura! Sakura! Hey! Sakura!" he knocked on the screens of the train. 'Damn,' he thought.

An elderly man looked at him weirdly.

"She loves me" Sasuke smirked and smiled to himself.