Chapter 21

A bird chirped up high in a nearby tree and rushing water sounded off far in the forest. In the long grass lay a young woman with long black hair and sparkling emerald eyes that were gazing off into the orange sky.

She had just turned 21 on this 15th day of May. Friends of hers had thrown a secret surprise party for her and had given her all her presents, all but one. This puzzled her for he was her closest friend, well, boyfriend. He had apologized and promised to meet her here and give it to her, and then he walked off with a thoughtful expression on his face.

'I wonder what he's going to give me. Hopefully he didn't go all out on a gift. It's just my birthday.' She propped herself up and looked into the slowly setting sun.

A few minutes later she heard someone walk up behind her and stand there. She looked up over her shoulder and smiled. "There you are, Sasuke."

He smiled back at her as he sat down beside her. "Sorry it took me so long, Toshiro."

She shrugged and hugged him. "Don't worry about it. You're here now." She let go of him and looked off into the sunset. "So, why did you want me to meet you all the way out here?"

"Well, I just wanted to be away from the hustle of the village when I gave you your present, that's all." Sasuke looked at the ground and away from her, something obviously on him mind.

Toshiro let go of him and leaned against him as they watched the sun sink below the horizon. "Oh, well, this is a good setting. I appreciate it. But it's been bothering me all day. What did you get me?"

He hesitated for a second or two and sighed. "Fine, but first close your eyes." She did and he reached into his pocket and pulled out a little black box.

"Oh come on, what is it?"

Sasuke looked at her and could see impatience on her face and he placed the box in her hands. Toshiro opened her eyes and a smile spread itself across her face. "Oh Sasuke, you didn't have to go to such an extent for a birthday present."

"I think you were well worth it. Open it."

She gasped and hugged him as she opened it. "You shouldn't have!" It was a ring, not expensive or elaborate, but simple in design and made with what looked to be gold. "This is the best gift I've ever gotten!"

She took another look at the ring and smiled. "Oh, but the best is yet to come," he said with a smile.

He grabbed her hand and her eyes looked into his. "I've been waiting for this for the longest time. I almost lost you awhile back, and I still haven't forgiven myself. I'm not going to take that chance again. I always want to be there to protect you, and I love you more than anything else in the world, and… and I want to spend the rest of my life with you." Toshiro gasped and smiled at his words and he continued. "So all I have left for you is a question. Will… will you marry me?"

Toshiro was quiet and all they could hear was the sound of the spring air blowing through the trees. "I…" She swallowed and she could feel her limbs shaking. A surge of confidence suddenly swept through her and a smile came to her face. "…of course I will!"

Sasuke was quiet and he let her words seep into him. He smiled after a minute and Toshiro was in tears, but they were ones of joy. He wasn't sure what to feel and he sort of looked emotionless as he looked into the last few rays that were slowly sinking behind the horizon. Toshiro put her hand on his and her smile faded away. "What's wrong Sasuke?"

He slowly turned back to her and he had a wide smile on his face. "Nothing's wrong, Toshiro. It… it's just… you don't know how thrilled I am that you said yes."

Her smile returned and she flung herself into his arms. "I've been waiting for what seems like an eternity to hear you ask me that. I'm so glad you waited until now… until the setting of my 21st birthday. The sun makes the perfect background." Toshiro was swelling with happiness and her voice dropped to a whisper. "I can't believe I was lucky enough to wind up with you of all people… my happiness in indescribable… I'm the luckiest person in the world."

Sasuke hugged her back and looked off into the sun. Everything that'd ever happened to them ran through his mind and he knew all the times he had saved her, every time he'd almost died trying to save her, it had all been well worth it. They'd met as toddlers, had been separated at eight, and reunited as teens and had been together ever since, and forever to come.

A/N: (silence as she stares at the computer screen) Wow... I... it's over... it's finally over. I feel funny. So, onward with the prequel and possible sequel!! ;) I couln't stop, but do you blame me? Toshiro and Sasuke make such a good pair, don't you agree? I loved this chapter!! "...reunited as teens and had been together ever since, and forever to come." Most certainly. They met as toddlers... and that's exctly what the prequel is! It'll be a oneshot thing, but it's kind of sad too. Keep in touch all of you, so you can read it when it comes out in a couple weeks or so. Reviews, please?