I'm sooooo done with this story. I don't even like the ending. But here's the epilogue I promised you guys, the final chapter to Deadly Mistake.

I have two shout outs: One is for CupCakeQueen for the amazing review! I couldn't reply to you since you were a guest. D: And I'm sorry but I've already got quite a few stories I want to try writing, plus, truthfully, I forget who Matsuri is so writing a fanfic about her is just eeehh. But thank you anyways! C:

The other is to SuomiTytt: I'm sorry if it wasn't clear, but Sakura woke up before Naruto came in, not just all of a sudden at his voice. ^^ She just pretended to be asleep to see what he would say/do. She was able to do that since the monitors had recently been unplugged, otherwise he would have noticed that her heartrate and breathing wasn't of a sleeping person. C; Thank you for your review!

I just want to say how much I love you guys~ I mean seriously, I've had so many of you wonderful people review this story and love me and I'm just like aaahhhh I love you guys too! ;u; You have my sincerest thanks. ^^

So for the last time in this story, I don't own Naruto, aaannndddd,

ENJOY~!

EPILOGUE

"You do realize that everything can't just be normal," Tsunade said. Her hands were folded on her desk in front of her and she looked at them through narrowed eyes. "Things can't just go back to how they were after what has happened."

It was the following morning and a group had gathered in Tsunade's office; Naruto, Sakura, Sai, Kakashi, Iruka, Yamato, Shizune, and Tsunade herself. Naruto and Sakura had planted themselves in front of the Hokage's desk, standing firm and holding hands tightly. Everyone else stood around them.

"Civilians would come every day to request that you be banished from the city," Shizune told Naruto, not meeting his gaze but rather looking sideways out the window. "Some have even left it themselves because they've deemed it unsafe."

"You being in the village will cause quite the problem," Tsunade summed up.

"That's why I'm not planning on staying here."

Everyone's head snapped towards Naruto, who had spoken the statement. He looked at Sakura and squeezed her hand. "We aren't planning on staying here."

"What do you mean?" Iruka asked, taking a step forward. "You're… leaving the village?"

Naruto nodded. "Like Tsunade said, staying would cause a problem. The village doesn't trust me right now, so I have to earn that trust back." Naruto swept his gaze around the group, holding his head high. "I'm going to go and learn how to control the Nine-Tails."

Just saying the words out loud, confidently, Naruto felt something move in his stomach. It'd heard him.

No, Naruto corrected in his head, thinking of the tribal village and their respect for the tailed-beasts. That's not what I'm going to say anymore.

Kurama had heard him.

The sensation Naruto had felt stopped. In the back of his mind, he could feel curiosity and confusion – not of his own.

"Where?" Tsunade questioned bringing his thoughts back to their current situation.

Naruto and Sakura looked at each other. "We were thinking of finding the other jinchūriki," Sakura explained. "The ones who know how to control their tailed-beasts. They'd be as good a start as any."

They stood in a nervous moment of silence as Tsunade closed her eyes, thinking. She reopened them and looked at the two in front of her. "It's a worthy idea. And I can help; I know of the other jinchūriki and have a vague idea of their whereabouts – their exact location isn't revealed to any other village, of course. But I know where you can start."

A grin started to poke out on Naruto's face. "So you'll let me go, Grandma?"

She glared at him. "I think it is essential that you travel and find how to control the Nine-Tails. Though I'm not sure how essential it is for you to go with Sakura."

A tense silence blew through the room. Naruto tightened his grip on Sakura's hand. "I'm never going to hurt her again," Naruto declared, narrowing his eyes at Tsunade. "She's as safe with me as anywhere else."

"We're in this together," Sakura added, and Tsunade's eyes softened when she looked at the pink haired girl.

"I know," Tsunade said, her voice quiet with uncharacteristic caring. "I'm just… worried about you."

"Same goes for you, Naruto," Iruka said, concern in his eyes.

Naruto and Sakura looked at each other, their eyes sparkling with laughter at the worry of their parent-like figures.

"Regular check-ins every two weeks," Sakura began. "Either in person or by letter. Give us a year. Naruto controlling the Nine-Tails will be a valuable asset to the village." Shizune and Tsunade looked at each other, smirking at their apprentice's ways of persuasion. "Plus… we care about him." Sakura looked up at Naruto and everyone else nodded; no matter what, they knew that controlling the Nine-Tails would be best for Naruto.

Shizune started towards Tsunade's desk. Kakashi stopped her, whispering something in her ear before she continued and whispered something in Tsunade's ear. Sai and Yamato were having a hushed conversation.

"I want a vote from the people in this room," Tsunade ordered. "Raise your hand if you think that it would be the correct choice to let these two go on this mission."

Naruto threw his hand in the air, jumping up and down. Sakura laughed, pulling his arm back to the side and trying to settle him. Everyone else chuckled as slowly -but surely- each hand was raised.

Everyone turned their eyes to Tsunade, who was leaning on her fist. When she realized they all were looking at her, she lifted her head up and opened her palm, raising her hand.

"Well, Naruto, Sakura," Tsunade said, "you better start packing."

Naruto was hoping to leave that day, but of course nothing ever went his way. When Sakura went home she was bombarded by her parents; she explained everything to them. They said no, she couldn't go. Naruto didn't blame them.

Sure, daughter, he mocked in his head. We nearly lost you to death, but since you just got out of the hospital, of course you can go off on a mission for who-knows-how-long with the boy that almost killed you!

Yeah, he would have said no, too.

But this was important. Well, to him – and he was important to her, so apply the transitive property and this was important to her, too.

Even when Sakura finally convinced her parents to let her go (it was more of a "You can't stop me, I make my own decisions," type deal), then there was their friends. Some were still doubting Naruto, their trust partially broken. Some wanted to come along – especially Lee.

"Guys, this is my own personal mission," Naruto had to say. "It's not something I want you guys to risk yourselves on. Heck, I don't even want Sakura to go-" The pink haired girl pouted. "-but I just can't say no to her."

So the two tried to mend trust and convince everyone that yes, it was okay for them to go. Tsunade was allowing it, so even though their opinions were valued, the Hokage had the final call; they were to go.

Naruto itched to get out of the village. Everywhere he walked, people gave him that look and called him numerous things – monster, killer, scum, etc. He was tempted to just hide until it was time to leave, but he wouldn't succumb to them and sneak around in the shadows. Naruto walked the streets with his head held high because he knew that no matter what they said, he wasn't a monster, and he was going to fix the one living inside of him.

My teammate, he thought, strolling down the street. A random man shouted, "Get out of here!" Naruto ignored him. Hear that, Kurama? We're a team. Me and you. You'd better believe it!

I stopped believing in humans long ago.

Naruto stopped, looking around. Nobody else seemed to have heard it, but during what Naruto would have expected to be silence in his head, that voice had spoken. One he hadn't heard before yet sounded familiar; one that hadn't bothered to speak to him until now.

Is that you, Kurama?

Naruto didn't get an answer, but he knew it anyways.

He had broken through.

Naruto woke up the next morning a little groggy. Someone had thrown a rock through his window in the middle of the night, shattering the glass. He didn't see anyone outside, but shouted obscenities anyways before finding a broom and sweeping up the shards. After that he had trouble sleeping, imagining the angry faces of the other villagers in his head.

When morning finally came, he woke up and grabbed his backpack; it was large and heavy, containing what he'd need while on this mission. Extra clothes, food, camping gear, weapons – he didn't know how long he'd be gone and had to prepare.

Nice morning, Naruto thought as he stepped out of his apartment. The sky was a light blue with almost no clouds, the sun warming the air and birds singing nearby.

Naruto made his way to the front gate and stopped, surprised, at all the people there.

"Naruto!" Kiba shouted, waving at him. Everyone turned to look.

"Oh, hey guys," he greeted, still taken aback by how many of his friends has shown up. Kiba clapped a hand on his shoulder and Shikamaru nodded at him.

"You two just had to get up early to leave, didn't you?" Shikamaru yawned. "Troublesome."

Naruto laughed, and so did Ino who had come up next to them. It died away when she caught his eye. The blonde girl fixed him with a look, a silent, searching look that pleaded, Please, keep her safe.

Naruto swallowed, feeling a lump in his throat at the trust he'd lost. He nodded, hoping his eyes conveyed, I'll protect her with my life.

Their moment was broken by a high voice yelling.

"My beautiful blossom! Such a fragile flower has just bloomed again, yet being whisked away! My eyes will miss your beauty and cry every day, I-"

Naruto turned to see Lee kneeling on the ground, holding one of Sakura's hands; then her fist slammed into the side of his head, sending him flying away from her.

"Fragile?" Sakura growled, cracking her knuckles. "I'll show you what's fragile."

"Hey!" Ino said, jumping in front of Sakura and putting her hands on her arms. "Naruto's here now! You'll have to leave soon, Forehead."

Sakura gave Ino a friendly glare. "I know, Pig." She embraced her friend before turning to Naruto and waving. Sakura had a backpack similar to his resting on her shoulders.

"Are you ready?" Naruto asked, walking up to her and grabbing her hand.

She squeezed his hand and smiled at him. "Whenever you are."

They went through and said their goodbyes, distributing hugs. Hinata blushed and almost fell over when Naruto hugged her. Chouji gave both of them some food for their journey. They were both surprised that Sai actually hugged them – it wasn't the warmest, heartfelt hug, but it was still physical contact. Kakashi and Yamato both bid them farewell too, reminding them of strategies, tactics, and lessons they had learned together that may be helpful. Kakashi also handed over information Tsunade had dug up about the other jinchūriki.

Naruto and Sakura looked at each other, still holding hands, and turned towards the gates. A path through the forest opened up in front of them. Their friends shouted their final farewells –"Bye!" and "Good luck!" and "We'll miss you!"- as a bird swooped overhead, flying in front of them.

Naruto and Sakura followed its path, stepping out of Konoha and walking towards their future.

Nine months later.

It was a cool summer night; a full moon rose over Konoha, the stars twinkling - thousands dotted the sky. A fresh breeze blew through, refreshing the few people still awake. Half the city was dark, half lit up, lights sitting all over the city. It was calm and quiet.

On top of the Hokage Mountain overlooking the city, two figures appeared. They stood at the edge, looking out across the buildings.

"It's been a while," one said, his voice clearly male. "Not much has changed though."

A girl's laugh rang out. "You're the one who's changed," she said, taking his hand.

"Do you think they'll be… scared of me?"

"I think they'll be in awe," she replied. "They'll be impressed."

"Really, Sakura?"

Sakura looked at him. "I know I am."

"At this?" he said, and in a sudden burst his eyes turned to red and a golden chakra shot out around him, encasing him. A black pattern danced through his limbs and chest. Power radiated off of him.

Sakura laughed as the chakra spread through their intertwined hands up to her, encasing her body in the gold chakra. "Yes, at that, Naruto."

They stood over Konoha, gold beacons above the city. Naruto felt many things – strength, power, friendship, love. They lifted him up to Cloud Nine as he stood there, Sakura in hand. And there was one thing responsible for it all.

Thank you, Kurama.

Whatever, kid.

Naruto grinned, feeling the friendship between them. We're a team, he said to the Nine-Tails.

"We're a team," he said aloud to Sakura.

"You bet," she replied, grinning.

"On three?"

"Sure."

"One…"

"Two…"

Three!

Naruto and Sakura held hands as they leapt off the mountain to the Hokage Tower below, releasing whoops of joy.

From below, they looked like two shooting stars flying through the night.

FIN

Hehe I like saying "fin" :D

So anyways, I hope you guys liked my story! My plan for now is that I'll kind of disappear for a while to start writing a new story or two and see where I'm going with them. Just for like the rest of the school year/beginning of summer.

If you haven't voted on my profile yet, please do so! I'd like to know what stories you guys would be the most interested in.

Though I overrule all of your opinions. ;D XD

Well guys, this is goodbye for a little while! :O I'll be back with another story or two!

So please review because I know you're all so amazing and love to review, especially since it's the last chapter. :D

I LOVE YOU ALL. REVIEW.

c: