Later that day, after talks of trade were done with the rest of the council present, he went to the hospital to visit Sasuke. Sakura was by his side.
"Yo," he greeted, pulling up a chair and sitting by Sakura at his side. "How you feelin?"
"Better," Sasuke sat up. "So what's the news?"
"I got the council figured out. I reestablished the trade between the nations. The school will be returning to its normal fundamentals. Oh and Sasuke I have something to ask you."
"Hm?"
"I want you to take over the police force. It's yours by right. Sakura you're going to be placed as the head of the hospital. Sai doesn't know it yet but I'm planning to assign him as Anbu commander. Shikamaru is jonin commander."
Sasuke was still for a second. He relaxed and nodded. "I'll accept."
"Now I ought to leave you two," Naruto stood. "I think Sakura has something to tell you about."
Sasuke looked at Sakura with a curious glint.
"Dont chicken out Sakura!" Naruto laughed and he left the room like that. LAughing and grinning.
So he could drop the smile when he was outside. It was done. He needed to let go anyways. Sakura never was his. She always loved Sasuke so much. He had to give up. He had to be happy for her. The short time they had together was amazing. He'd hold it firm in his memories.
He worked late into the night and then returned to an apartment in the center of town. It wasn't as small as his last one. It was just as quiet though. Naruto let out a small "I'm home."
He half expected to hear Sakura call back to him. But she was gone and he had to remind himself she wasn't going to return. Naruto traced his hand along a kitchen table. It was smoother than the one he had carved in Wellsprings. Then he walked to the window and watched everyone move by. It looked wrong without snow.
"Baka," Naruto mumbled to himself. He finally had everything he ever dreamed of. He was the Nanadaime Hokage. His friends were alive and well. Naruto cursed himself for getting spoiled. He forgot what it was like to be alone. It was… well, lonely. He missed Sakura.
"I'm selfish," he rolled his eyes and sat down on his bed. "Selfish and stupid."
But before he realized it tears were gathering in his eyes. Naruto swung his arm over his eyes and forced himself to calm down. He even considered visiting Kurama. Anything to get his mind off of the things he missed. Things like Sakura.
Naruto jumped up when someone knocked on the door, swinging it open without thinking.
"Naruto," sakura smiled. "I just realized I haven't seen your place yet."
"Come in!" he cheered. "It's not as big as the place we used to have, but hey the table doesn't wobble!"
"I liked the table you made better," Sakura said, helping herself to a seat at said table. "It felt weird being home. I missed you."
"Well its been a year tied at the hips," Naruto conceded. "Hey you don't have to put up with me anymore."
"I always have to put up with yo Naruto. It's in my job description."
He laughed.
"Anyways I came here because… where to start… I talked with Sasuke."
Of course. Naruto didn't let his smile drop. "Oh? Good!"
"Yeah. He said he wanted to try and return my feelings. He said he wanted me to move into the Uchiha compounds with him. He seemed really serious."
Naruto felt his fists clench. His nose was stinging like it always did before you cried. But he couldn't let her see that. Instead he grinned so big his eyes shut. "Oh wow. Congrats Sakura! It's what you always wanted."
"You're happy for me?" The question was a whisper.
"Yeah. Super happy. I'll take you out for a drink my first paycheck! Sorry I don't have anything here. Haha."
"You're lying, you're not happy."
Naruto opened his eyes a bit. He couldn't see that well. Why was that? "What are you talking about? Your happiness is all that matters to me Sakura. Nothing else."
"Then why are you crying?"
Naruto froze. He was crying?
Sakura reached up and wiped away one of his tears with her thumb. "You dont have to pretend anymore Naruto. Please. That's enough."
Naruto put his hand over hers. "I'm sorry Sakura. I'm just being selfish. I promise I won't let it bother you again. I'm sorry I just…"
"That's enough," Sakura moved off the chair, closer to Naruto. "That's enough. I didn't come here to brag about Sasuke."
Naruto dropped his smile. "Why did you come here then Sakura?"
She bit her lip and then brought her face close to his. "I'm here because I told Sasuke that I didn't love him."
"What?"
"I told him I couldn't love him like that anymore. Because I spent a year living with this one boy. Who was amazing and sweet. And who cared about me. He never made me feel uncomfortable. He cared about me. Always me. And it was about time someone gave him love back. Because I'd fallen for him long since."
Naruto's heart stopped. "Sakura y-"
"Dont doubt me. I love you. Believe me naruto. I really do love you. And I can't stand going home without you. I can't stand the thought of being apart. It isn't just friendship. It's something more. Much more. And you cant tell me you don't feel the same."
Naruto shook his head. "I like you. I still like you so much."
"And I love you," Sakura kissed his lips. "I'm going to be with you. Till the end."