Chapter 3: Converge
Recommended Song: Unconditionally by Katy Perry

"I used to always cry and give up… I made many wrong turns… But you… You helped me find the right path… I always chased after you… I wanted to catch up to you… I wanted to walk beside you all the time… I just wanted to be with you… You changed me! Your smile is what saved me! That is why I'm not afraid to die protecting you! Because… I love you…" - Hinata Hyuga

~. . . . . .~

Christmas Eve. An occasion where couples spend time with one another and exchange presents. Sakura enjoyed the light joviality and happiness that seemed to coat the air. The town that she and Sasuke were in was a major tourist attraction with its countless festivals and overall welcoming atmosphere. They even accepted the fact that Sasuke would be staying there for a small amount of time and no one had voiced complaint or insult, at least not out loud.

Sakura stood on the outskirts of the town as she stared up at the star speckled sky. She rubbed her hands together as she saw her breath in the cold, night air. Freshly fallen snow laid undisturbed on the ground in front of her and she made no attempt to move; she was content. This would mark eight months of traveling together with Sasuke; eight long months filled with an unending tug-a-war with her feelings.

Things had changed that night when he has asked her why she loved him. Nothing drastic per say, but a significant change none the less. Sasuke seemed more attuned to her presence now; she simply wasn't air anymore to him and he was more tolerant of her. He noticed things about her that she had thought he wouldn't pick up on or wouldn't care about; like how a certain shade of blue made her sad or how the sight of blood made her flinch even if she was accustomed to it.

And he talked to her.

It was nothing profound or deep; it was a simple greeting or inquiry as to how she was. Small, inane questions that you would ask someone out of politeness but coming from Sasuke it was like receiving the blessing from a God. Sakura hoarded and cherished those moments deep within her; she was afraid that any moment he would turn back into the cold man that held nothing but apathy towards her and she wanted to hold onto these gracious moments before that occurred.

Sasuke had also taken to having Sakura sleep beside him. The first time it happened, Sakura was certain it was just a fluke due to the emotional overload that had come with her response to his question. She didn't think it would ever occur again, but she was proven wrong when the next night fell and Sasuke stopped her from taking out her own bedroll and instead motioned towards his own. Sakura had turned into a blushing, sputtering mess upon his offer and Sasuke had shut her out.

It had taken two weeks before he offered again and Sakura meekly accepted his offer. It was nothing extravagant and she doubted Sasuke even felt a smidge of attraction towards her, he did his absolute best not to touch her. But to Sakura, it meant the world, being so close to him and knowing that he was allowing it; he was trusting her to sleep beside him, it made her heart swell with love and hope.

Sasuke didn't experience any night terrors when Sakura slept beside him.

Sakura shook her head to clear her thoughts as she raised her hands to the sky and a soft smile appeared on her face as snowflakes began to fall from the sky. She enjoyed the snow immensely. It was pure and light; it seemed to take all her worries and concerns from her body. Things weren't perfect; she knew that and she knew that there still a lot of things that needed to be worked out but she would take the victories where she could find them.

"Sakura," the sound of her name being called by a smooth baritone voice made Sakura jump slightly and she turned around to see Sasuke standing behind her just a few feet away. His dojutsu was still activated in his eyes, but Sakura no longer feared meeting his gaze.

They had been traveling for eight months. Eight months of atoning. Eight months of fighting. Eight months of enduring. Eight months of searching. Sakura was still searching for something, but she had grown stronger. Tsunade had been informative of the benefits the Strength of One Hundred seal could do for a person, but Sakura had learned one another thing that her mentor had failed to reveal. The seal adjusted and adapted to the user's body individually; yes, youth was a good side benefit but Sakura's true trump card was her immunity to all forms of genjutsu even the Sharingan.

"Merry Christmas Eve, Sasuke-kun," Sakura greeted the Uchiha with a gentle smile on her face. Even now her heart beat frantically within her chest at the sight of Sasuke; she doubted that her feelings would ever fade or diminish in regards to the man.

Sasuke nodded his head in return to Sakura's greeting before he stepped forward until he was standing directly in front of her. She craned her neck back to look at him with a curious expression on her face; things had changed between them and more often than not, Sakura was left grasping at straws as to what Sasuke wanted from her. She stared at his tattered cloak and waited patiently to see what he would say or do; this had become the new routine for them.

He reached out slowly and touches the ends of Sakura's freshly cut hair; it was shorter than before now reaching around her chin, with her bangs now parted to the left keeping it out of her eyes, and her usual red cloth forehead protector worn as a hairband. Sakura remained still as Sasuke touched the her hair and seemed to examine her face closely; what he was looking for, Sakura had no idea.

"I like this," he finally spoke as he dropped his hand back to his side and Sakura stared at him with a mystified expression on her face. A small blush appeared on her face and she bowed her head as twisted her hands together nervously; Sasuke had never gave her a compliment before. He had never said anything in regards to her appearance before.

Silence settled between them and Sakura felt like something important was about to occur, but she didn't know what it was. She reached into her coat and slowly pulled out a rectangular box that was wrapped in simple white wrapping paper. Sakura raised her head and her breath caught in her throat as she was captured by the intensity in Sasuke's gaze. What was happening?

"I….I brought you a gift, Sasuke-kun. Here," Sakura held out the box to her teammate as she whispered the words to him. There was a pause, before Sasuke finally broke eye contact with Sakura and took the offered gift from her. Sakura felt like she could breathe properly again without Sasuke's gaze bearing down on her.

It was tricky opening the gift with only one hand but Sasuke managed with little to no effort and Sakura waited with bated breath to see his reaction to her gift. It was a simple, navy blue sash. Sakura had seen it in a clothing store when she had been shopping for a new coat and she felt compelled to buy it for Sasuke; it simply seemed to be made for him.

Sasuke was quiet for a long time and Sakura felt the first stirrings of doubt and unease begin to creep up inside her. What if he hated her gift? Sakura forced a smile on her face as she shook her head and opened her mouth to apologize and offer to take back the gift but she was cut off when Sasuke finally spoke up.

"Thank you," his tone was nearly stoic but Sakura had been with him long enough now to detect the slight warmth in his words and that was enough to fill her with joy and happiness that rivaled even one thousand suns.

Sasuke placed the sash back into the box before placed it into one of pockets within his cloak and Sakura turned to resume her stargazing once more figuring that Sasuke would dismiss her from his mind now. The pink haired woman jumped when she felt something warm grasp her hand and her gaze snapped to the right to see Sasuke standing beside her with stoic expression on his face as he looked up at the sky. Sakura looked down at their intertwined hands and warm feelings swelled within her heart.

A shooting star raced across the sky.

Sakura didn't have any wishes to make.

~. . . . . .~

One year. They had been traveling with each other for a year now. Things were comfortable between them both; they weren't together but Sasuke no longer treated Sakura like an annoyance or a stranger. They were friends and that was more than Sasuke had ever expected to be with anyone, especially Sakura. He could feel her eyes on him as he tied the sash multiple times around his head in reminiscence of a headband to keep his spiky hair down. Sasuke really didn't know why he choose to wear the sash in that fashion, but it worked well and he could tell that it made Sakura happy to know he was wearing the gift she had brought him.

Sasuke couldn't exactly say when things had become so familiar between them both; he suspected it had been the night she told him why she loved him but that was just an excuse. If Sasuke were to be honest, it was when he noticed that Sakura was actually an attractive woman; that day she had called him annoying and cried in front of him. It had been a pivotal moment in the course of their relationship.

"Tsuki no Kuni is a beautiful place. We had to go there for a mission; Kakashi-sensei, Lee-san and Nar-" Sakura cut herself off and Sasuke looked at her; she was biting her bottom lip and her head was bowed, it was a telltale sign that she was holding back tears.

Sasuke wasn't blind and he wasn't an idiot. He knew that Sakura was homesick and missed her friends and family. He wasn't forcing her to stay with him and he wondered if he needed to verbally tell her that she was free to leave and return home anytime she pleased. Sasuke had grown accustomed to Sakura's presence alongside him and sleeping next to him at night, but he wouldn't force her to keep traveling with him if she wanted to leave. He was no stranger to traveling alone.

"Sakura," Sasuke called out to her and she lifted her head to look at him with glistening, unshed tears in her eyes. Sasuke didn't understand why the sight of her crying face set his heart racing. He slowly moved towards her and he could see as her breath stuttered and she stood absolutely still in such a close proximity to himself.

He raised his hand and placed his thumb on her bottom lip, smoothing it over in a slow motion as he kept his eyes locked with her own. He could see her light blush beginning to form on her cheeks and one tear escaped her eye and roll down her cheek. Sasuke leaned forward and pressed his lips to Sakura's flesh in a ghost of a touch to capture the tear; he heard Sakura's gasp but didn't speak.

Her tears tasted sweet.

Sasuke pulled back after a moment, before he dropped his hand back to his side and his usual look of indifference settled on his face. He stepped away from Sakura and left out of the door with the intent of going to the deck to get some air and clear his own thoughts.

Sakura remained frozen in place.

~. . . . . .~

"Sakura-chan! It's such a delight to see you!" Sakura found herself being lifted into the air and spun around in a tight embrace and it took her a moment to register who was holding her before her eyes widened almost comically and she smiled at the formally dressed man.

"Michiru-san? Oh! It is you! You look fantastic!" the pink haired woman complimented the King of Tsuki no Kuni and Michiru blushed slightly before he set her down and beamed with pride.

It was true; the man had once been overweight but that was not the case any longer. His face was angular and sharp with all the excess fat gone and Sakura had felt a notable amount of muscle and strength in his limbs from their prior embrace. He was dressed in the same flashy, formal attire and he was accompanied by a platoon of guards wielding sabers.

"What brings you to Tsuki no Kuni? Are the others here with you as well? Naruto-kun? Lee-kun?" Michiru seemed to look around as if the ones in question would make a timely appearance and Sakura felt her smile falter a bit at the mention of her teammate and friend.

"Ah...no. It's just me and Sasuke-kun," Sakura admitted as she gestured to the stoic man beside her; seeing that their was no immediate danger, Sasuke's hand moved from where he had been gripping the hilt of his katana.

Michiru turned his attention to Sasuke and looked him over before he smiled in welcome towards the silent man. "Such a shame, maybe they shall come visit as well. It's a pleasure to meet you, Sasuke-kun. Any friend of Sakura-chan's is welcome here," Michiru proclaimed before he returned his attention to Sakura and reached out to grasp her hand with both of his own.

"You must come to the palace as my guest," he exclaimed and Sakura opened her mouth to protest; it was simply too much but Michiru was having none of it. "Oh, I simply insist! We'll have a great feast and I can give you a tour of the island," he gushed and Sakura smiled weakly before she finally nodded her head in agreement to Michiru's invitation.

"Excellent! Come along, there is much to discuss! I have so much to tell you about what has happened since you and your friends saved this island. And I would like to hear all the stories you surely have to tell in your adventures," Michiru slung his arm over Sakura's shoulder as he guided her away and she glanced back at Sasuke whose expression remained blissfully blank as he trailed behind after them.

~. . . . . .~

Sakura fell back on the bed in the guestroom that Michiru had graciously lent her for the entirety of her stay in Tsuki no Kuni. Sasuke's room was a few doors down the hallway, Sakura had tried to explain that it wasn't necessary for she and Sasuke to sleep in separate rooms but Michiru had insisted that it would not be a problem. Sakura couldn't argue with the man lest she give voice to things that had yet to be addressed between herself and Sasuke. It would have made for a fairly awkward conversation.

The island was as beautiful as Sakura remembered and she closed her eyes as she thought back to the conversation that she and Michiru had shared. Hikaru was doing well; he was training in the Tetsu no Kuni to become a samurai. Apparently Naruto had inspired the boy to become stronger and Hikaru felt he didn't have the skill for being a shinobi; instead he aspired to be a great samurai.

Sakura was happy for the boy; Naruto had a way of inspiring people to be the absolute best they could be, it was a trait that Sakura admired greatly about her blonde haired teammate. The stories continued on to tell Sakura how the island was prospering and Michiru was trying to achieve his father's dream of him being a fair, yet kind King. Sakura assured the man that his father would be proud of everything he had accomplished.

Michiru seemed to inflate upon Sakura's praise; she didn't know why her words held so much meaning to the man but she was glad to see him happy and content. Then it was her turn to tell of her adventures and that's when things became difficult for Sakura. Tsuki no Kuni was an isolated island so news of the Fourth Shinobi War hadn't reached this place; it remained completely unaffected. Sakura told him of the major events and she finally revealed to him that Sasuke was the teammate that she and Naruto had been searching for all along.

Michiru took in her story with calm acceptance, before he seemed to think about something and Sakura watched as the man transformed from cheery friend to kind, yet firm King. He asked her several questions; questions that Sakura had buried deep within herself because she was too afraid to face them. When he voiced his questions; Sakura excused herself to her room and he let her go without argument. He understood that she needed to think and alone in her room; Sakura was finally forced to think.

Sakura hadn't been thinking since she had left Konoha with Sasuke a year ago. She had been simply acting, doing things without thought so she wouldn't have to think of the consequences. She had been going each day simply flitting through things and not processing them because she was afraid. Things were good between her and Sasuke at the moment; Sakura was afraid to lose that once she started actually thinking again.

She was being selfish again.

Her eyes opened and she stared up at the ceiling; she was terrified but Michiru had struck a nerve within her with his questions. Was this truly what she wanted? Was traveling with Sasuke really the answer to everything or was she simply running from her problems? Did she even truly forgive Sasuke for all that he had done to her? To Naruto? To everyone that she cared about?

Sakura had told Sasuke on the battlefield that he had better be sorry about everything he had done and it was believed that everything was forgiven, but was it? All the pain and suffering he had caused her and Naruto over the years; could it all be forgiven with a simple apology?

She raised her hands to press against her eyelids as she bit her tongue and tried in vain to fight off her tears. What had she been doing for a year? She was still trailing behind Sasuke like she was some lovesick genin; she was better than that. Sasuke was kinder to her now, but that didn't excuse all the hurt and pain she had suffered at his hands and callous words.

"Sakura," she removed her hands from her eyes and craned her neck to look towards the door with tear stained eyes where Sasuke stood. Immaculate; perfect as always even with the absence of his left arm. Sakura would never be enough for him; Sasuke would never love her like she loved him.

The realization struck her hard like a blow to the chest and she turned her head away from him; her chest felt hot and tight, she felt sick. She had been living blindly for the past year; she had turned off her common sense just to be happy with Sasuke. Sasuke made her a terrible woman. A weak willed woman who would stay with him no matter what he said or did; a hollow shell of who she was.

"S-sasuke-kun….I," Sakura trailed off with a sniffle as she sat up and wiped her eyes futilely and she raised her head to look at him. She had to tell him that this wouldn't work. She had to tell him that she didn't forgive him. She had to tell him that even though she loved him with her entire being that she had to leave him forever.

"Sakura," he repeated her name and she felt his hand under her chin as he tilted her head upwards to look at him and Sakura met his gaze. When had he gotten so close? She was crying silently and Sasuke made no move to comfort or soothe her. This was so wrong. Love wasn't supposed to be like this.

Silence stretched between them for the longest time as they stared into one another's eyes; the man in front of her was simply too beautiful, too much. His touch made her body come to life and she found herself robbed of her voice and logical thought. This was why she needed to get away; being with Sasuke wasn't healthy.

"I….I need to go home," Sakura's words inflicted deep injury upon herself and her tears flowed anew, but she didn't look away from the Uchiha in front of her. He was silent as the grave, but he moved his hand from her chin to brush away the tears from her cheek. A tender, gentle touch that Sakura would never have thought to associate with Sasuke.

He moved his hand away from her cheek and Sakura blinked at him owlishly; she hated silence. He tapped her forehead with his index and middle finger as he regarded her silently. "Do as you please," he replied in a monotone and Sakura closed her eyes as half sob, half laugh escaped her lips. They had truly come full circle hadn't they?

That night as they slept next to one another, Sakura clung to him tightly and Sasuke responded by wrapping his arm around her waist and bringing her head to his chest. Sakura fell asleep listening to the sound of Sasuke's steady heartbeat.

When Sakura woke, Sasuke was gone.

In his place was a small necklace with a cherry blossom pendant on it's chain.

Hanabi knelt down in front of the grave that belonged to Neji Hyuga; he had given his life to save Hinata and Naruto during the war. The Hyuga heiress clasped her hands together as she closed her eyes and said a small prayer; a lot of good men and women had died in that war, it was hard to believe that it had been a year ago. People still grieved and mourned as if the war has occurred yesterday; Hanabi knew that one's grief could not be accurately measured by time. She opened her eyes and reached out to carefully trace over the engraved writing on her cousin's headstone.

Unlike with Hinata, Neji had been nothing but kind and respectful towards Hanabi. He complimented her strength and determination. She embodied the will of fire that all Hyugas' should proudly do without needing the support or encouragement from others. Hanabi was proud of Neji and all that he had accomplished; his death had solidified a goal deep within her. She would change the ways of the clan; she would abolish the usage of Caged Bird seal altogether; she would bring the branch houses closer to the main house.

"I will make you proud, Neji-nii," she vowed in a quiet tone before she stood up and dusted some dust from her pants. She still had a lot of training to do in order to become a strong head, but she wouldn't fail. She had a set goal now and she wouldn't allow anything to deter her from it.

Hanabi walked down the road with the intention of heading back to the compound before she paused when she saw her older sister standing a bit away, partially concealed by a building and looking at something. Hanabi followed her sister's line of sight and she furrowed her brows when she saw that the person who had captured her sister's attention was none other than the hero, Naruto Uzumaki. He appeared to be surrounded by a gaggle of women who were requesting dates or simply time to share with the man.

The Hyuga heiress turned her attention back to her older sister who looked on at the man with longing in her eyes and Hanabi found herself frowning. What was her sister's problem? Hanabi had once wondered why Hinata followed and watched Naruto as a child, but now that they were older it was shameful and pitiful. Hadn't they fought together side by side on the battlefield? Hadn't Neji shielded them both? Hinata's behavior infuriated the young girl.

"Hinata-nee, what do you want in life?" Hanabi approached her sister and addressed her in a light tone; Hinata jumped not having expected the sudden appearance of her younger sister and she looked confused at Hanabi's question.

"I...I don't understand what you mean, Hanabi-chan," Hinata replied demurely as she folded her hands together and Hanabi observed her older sister in silence for a moment. How could be the older woman be a shinobi and be so meek and timid? Most of the time people couldn't understand her because she spoke so faintly or she stuttered uncontrollably.

"I mean; goals and aspirations. You fought in the war and survived, now is a time for peace and you can practically do anything you like. What do you want, Hinata-nee?" Hanabi clarified and Hinata's eyes widened a bit before a soft blush appeared on her face and she glanced towards where Naruto was still being hounded by fangirls.

Hanabi followed Hinata's line of sight and the younger girl felt the last bit of respect she had for her older sister fade away. Even after all that they had been through, all the people who had sacrificed their lives, Hinata still could only think about Naruto. Hanabi couldn't really resent her sister for her mindset, she had never been in love, but she also didn't think it was right that Hinata's sole purpose was to be with Naruto. It was sad and pathetic.

"I see. Well, I wish you nothing but the best, Hinata-nee," Hanabi replied as she nodded her head politely at her older sister and turned to walk off without another word. Hanabi aspired to be better than her older sister; she didn't know what Hinata thought she could accomplish by lurking from the shadows and simply observing things. That's not the way things worked,

You had to put for effort and give everything you had into achieving your goals. Blood, sweat, tears and everything in between; that's what life demanded of everyone who ever wanted something. Wishing and hoping had never accounted for anything.

Hanabi arrived at the Hyuga Compound where she found her father waiting for her patiently in the courtyard for their training sessions. As Hanabi fell into the familiar Juken stance, she made a vow to never take the easy road for anything. She would work hard and pave way for a future that would honor and strengthen the Hyuga household. She would train hard and study until she could physically do it no longer; she wouldn't be a damsel. That was her nindo!

Hinata believed in fairy tale wishes.

Hanabi faced reality with her head held high.