Disclaimer: I do not own Naruto.

Sakura moved away.

Tsunade came for her the day after the rosette accidently cut her finger while helping Mikoto chop onions. She wasn't supposed to be slicing onions, of course, but she'd volunteered and was quite persistent.

The wound was deep, but thankfully, she was okay.

Lady Tsunade didn't believe so. She blamed Mikoto and said "the environment is not a safe one. Time to find Sakura a new home."

She was already suspicious and weary since the whole kidnapping thing. There wasn't time for anything. Sakura just had to pack her bags and go. Goodbyes took place at the front door, sad and angry.

Things between her and Sasuke were wonderful, and it was all too soon put to an end.

The last glimpse she saw of them was through tears, locked in her mind forever.

She was moved to another city; a really busy one. No stars were visible at night. The first days she cried, but the daughter of the house, Ino, was always there to comfort her.

There were no other siblings except for her. Sakura spent her days doing whatever Ino was doing, learning to drive, getting her license. Getting a part-time job. Surrounded by the noise and clamor of the city, she lived.

Time flew, and months dwindled away…

EIGHT YEARS LATER.

Haruno Sakura jerked awake, panting. That dream again. The one where she was reliving the car crash, only this time, Jiraiya floated in from the windshield and stabbed Sakura, so she was dead too. As soon as the knife touched her skin, she woke. Every time.

She stared around, searching wildly for the light. The rosette took a deep breath and calmed herself down as she clicked on the lamp at her side. Dim light filled the apartment. She looked to the right side of the bed; he wasn't there. Her husband was still at work.

The steady patter of rain sounded outside.

Sakura sat up and reached for her cell phone on the night table. 3 AM. She looked to the calendar on a wall to her left, taped on with hurried fingers. Her emerald eyes found today's date, around the box was a circle.

She gripped the phone she'd had for ages.

It was his birthday. Twenty four this year.

Now. Maybe I should call now.

She wouldn't get another chance today. She never called on his birthday, it always slipped past her. And something odd in the air made her want to do it.

Some sort of…longing. Almost.

Sakura stood and made her way to the tiny closet, leaning over and reaching into the back and pulling out a letter. She'd gotten it from Uchiha Sasuke a year ago. She unfolded it with trembling fingers and didn't bother to read it. Too painful.

He'd explained what had happened, Fugaku had passed away, and Mikoto had gone to live with Itachi and his wife and three children. She couldn't stand being all alone in the huge house without her love. Sasuke was married, and he and his wife were currently living in the Uchiha house. It was brief. Sakura never had the guts to write back. The emerald star necklace was also enclosed inside of it, she'd left it in her closet all those years ago. It was around her neck, right now. Sasuke had also written the phone numbers of himself and Itachi in the post note.

Sakura would call Itachi every once in a while, her brother. He was how he always was. Excited and goofy. Naruto and Hinata and their kittens lived in his house.

The pink-haired ran her finger along the paper, and before she had second thoughts, Sakura dialed Sasuke's cell phone number. She put the letter back and shut the door as it started to ring. She went past the dresser, upon which sat the now dusty and old glass prism with cherry blossoms inside.

Sakura stepped out of the small apartment and onto the balcony, sliding open the clear doors. It was raining, pouring. Just the way she liked it. Sakura rubbed the sleep out of her eyes.

The phone rang.

No answer, just a long BEEP.

She tried again.

After a few rings, a young woman's groggy voice sounded: "Listen, buddy. It's the middle of the night. This had better be good."

"Uh. Is…is…sorry. I think I have the wrong number."

"That's very possible."

The woman hung up before the rosette could say a word. Coward! Chicken! You didn't even ask for him! Actually, she wasn't even sure why this lady picked up Sasuke's cell phone.

Sakura bit her lip and dialed the number once more. The city was so busy. The clouds were a dark shade of red. Rain slid off of honking cars and neon lights. She rubbed her bare shoulders as wind ruffled her night gown.

On the other end, there was a groan.

"You again."

"Um, yeah. Can you, uh, is…Uchiha Sasuke there?"

"Who is this?"

"Er-Haruno Sakura."

A pause, then a muffled, "here, hun. Wake up. It's for you."

A moment later, he spoke.

"Hello?"

His voice still made her heart race. But you shouldn't have feelings like that when you're married to someone else, A voice in her mind said.

She swallowed.

"Um. Hi. It's me."

Sasuke sat up in bed, the voice awakening him completely.

"Sakura."

"Yeah. Hey. How are you?"

"…Fine. You?"

"Good. Happy birthday."

"Thanks."

Silence. Rain fell.

"So um…That lady who picked up the phone," she swallowed, "you're wife?"

"Yeah…what about you?" he asked flatly. "Married yet?"

"Yes. I am."

Longer silence. If Naruto was near, he would have been snickering.

Apparently they both thought of the same certain feline, because Sasuke broke the quiet.

"So how's everything?" He heard how dull he sounded, and he knew he was never one to make pointless small talk, but…that cat…

Sakura laughed. "How it's always been. Good."

Sasuke was quiet. Then:

"You should know by now I know when you're lying."

Sakura felt like caving in. Her stomach heaved, and her head sank down into her arms, on the balcony railing. A few minutes later:

"Sasuke," she whispered, spilling, closing her eyes. The dark, lonely nights, empty days and wasted minutes. The pain, tears, and shouted words… "I didn't know… I thought it was love. I-I didn't think it would be like this."

Before Sasuke could say anything, the cell phone was slapped out of Sakura's hand and a fist slammed into her cheek.

Pain burst.

"Who were you talking to?" her husband snapped. He must've come in just now, quietly.

"A friend!" Sakura said fiercely, clenching her fists and whirling around to face him.

"The kind of friend you call in the middle of the night?"

No answer.

He grabbed her wrist and yanked her to him.

"You thought it was love? You didn't think it would be like this?"

Sakura bit her lip and felt the tears come to her eyes.

"That's right! I thought it was, but I knew it wasn't! I know what love feels like, and I didn't feel it with you." She regretted saying that last part as soon as his fist slammed into her middle.

She collapsed to the floor.

"Say that to my face, you cheating pig."

"It was-" Sakura gasped as tears fell to the concrete beneath her, "a long time ago!"

She hated for this to happen with Sasuke listening. She sounded so pitiful and weak.

Her husband laughed, long and hard, as she slowly faltered to her feet.

"I don't care about love!" he hissed, "and I don't care about you. All I want is that money our descendants are going to get." He clamped a hand over his mouth. Oops.

Sakura froze and her breath came fast.

"All this time…that's it. That's all you wanted." She shook her head and chuckled bitterly, a hand reaching up to her fore head. "And I actually thought…you…"

I'm such a fool.

"That's it. I'm leaving."

"You'll just come crawling back," he said, grinning harshly, "You're a lost, weak little orphan girl with nowhere to go."

Sakura grabbed her phone and walked past him. She slipped into her sneakers and turned to glare.

"Maybe I do have a place to go."

His grin changed to a snarl and he stepped forward, snatching her arm. "I am going to hit you so hard…"

"I'm divorcing you," her voice wavered slightly, "Goodbye."

"You're not going anywhere," he snarled, jerking her towards him.

Sakura recalled something Itachi had shown her long ago. Without any thought, she reached up and punched his neck. For a few seconds, he couldn't breathe.

A few seconds was enough.

Sakura spun around and ran down the hallway, sobbing.

She raced down the steps in her sneakers and a night gown. On the other end, Sasuke's mouth was dry.

"Don't tell me you're married to that guy. And he just…"

He heard her quick, ragged breaths on the other end.

Sakura threw open the door to the apartment building and ran out into the city. Cars honked and lights flashed. The rain immediately seeped through her gown, soaking her to the bone. She'd left everything back there. Money, clothes, food…

"He beats you." Sasuke was not asking a question. It was a statement, a flat, angry declarative sentence.

She was silent.

He cursed and stood. Throwing on some clothes, Sasuke grabbed his coat. He was still young, his styled hadn't changed.

"My God, Sakura— why didn't you leave him the second he hurt you?"

Running, Sakura panted as rain washed over her. She let herself cry while she spoke, sounding pitiful, she knew.

"Where was I supposed to go?"

Ino's parents had passed away, she'd moved across the country after it. Sakura had no car. She'd been working a part time job at the library, but it wasn't enough to buy one. She didn't know this city; it was too unfamiliar.

Sasuke turned around to his wife as Sakura slid down wet wall, gathering deep lungfuls of air.

The new Uchiha was sitting up in bed.

"Do you wanna come?"

"To where?" She asked.

"I don't know yet."

"Why do you have to go?"

"Someone needs me."

"She needs you now, in the middle of the night."

A nod.

"Can't this wait 'till tomorrow?" she groaned.

"Sorry, no," Sasuke said quietly, "See, I made a promise. A long time ago."

His wife sighed and stood, "All right, I'm with you." She made her way to the walk- in closet and plucked up a skirt and sweater. She threw them on and followed Sasuke out the door.

"Sakura."

He waited until her breathing no longer came in ragged, shuttering, sobs. He'd seen her cry before, but never like this.

"Sakura, where are you? I'm coming." They sat in his sleek black car.

"…You're coming to get me?"

"Duh I'm coming to get you. Not just gonna leave you out in the middle of the night alone."

Sakura smiled through her tears, telling him where she was, what city, what street.

"It's about an hour and a half from here," Sasuke said, driving through Konoha and out into the fields. The highway stretched out before him, "Just wait, okay? I'll see you—"

"Don't, please," she whispered, running again, "don't leave me. Don't hang up."

A sigh.

"All right."

Sakura craned her neck to see in front of her. She hoped he ran past when she was hiding behind that wall. She slowed down, looking behind her. Wind blew. Sakura shivered, scattering rain drops. She was so cold. She'd never been this cold in her life. The rosette ducked down under a small roof in front of a closed store. It was on the corner, so she was hidden. She pulled her knees to her chest and heard her teeth chatter. Cold wind blew thru her.

Later…

It took a while, but they found her.

Huddled under an aluminum roof like a wet flower, Sakura was there. Sasuke pushed open his door and stood, getting out of the car. He approached her. She'd changed a little. Taller. She was shivering, freezing, in a night gown and shoes.

"Sakura."

She lifted her head, her wet face. A blur of movement, and his coat was around her shoulders, dropped down from above.

She staggered to her feet, shivering. Rain was still falling.

Her wide emerald eyes met his onyx orbs.

And her lips parted, she spoke his name, barely audible.

"Hey," he said softly, repeating the word and the stance from so long ago, when she'd met them in the mall parking lot.

Before she could think, Sakura reached up embraced him. He was warm, compared to her. The soothing feel of familiar touch spread through her.

But he stiffened.

Sasuke knew his Uchiha ways, when to act, when to love, when to care, when to be still. Now, though, he was immobile. He didn't know what to do. She needed someone, and he'd promised her that, but he was married—what was his wife thinking, watching from the car?—and, well…

Sakura froze, realization flooding her: she blinked rapidly and released him.

She took a couple quick steps back.

"Sorry," she said.

"It's…don't worry about it. Come on."

She followed him through the rain and to a car parallel parked on the road. Inside of it, a young woman sat, ashen faced, in the passenger seat. She sat down in the back seat, getting everything wet and dirty. Sasuke was wet as well, but not nearly as much as her.

He introduced her to his wife as they drove out of the city and to the high way. She seemed nice enough, determined and strong like Sasuke. They were an…an okay match, she decided. But couldn't help but feel…a small jab of pain…

She ran her hand over the seat, trying to distract herself.

Sakura smiled slightly, leaning her head on the door.

"This is the same car…" she whispered, "I'm glad you can drive it without…running into…a… what was it?…a cat…"

"Squirrel."

And by the time Sasuke could smirk and flick his eyes at her in the rear view mirror, she was asleep.

They rode alongside the train, until it grew faster and blew it's horn. The same train.

Someone was shaking her shoulder.

She looked up into the face of Sasuke's wife.

"Let's go, Sakura," she was saying, "we're here."

When Sakura looked into the sky, she was thrilled to see the bright stars above her.

They made their way back inside, old memories filled the rosette.

Sakura kicked off her wet shoes by the closet.

She'd kicked off her wet sneakers here the first time she entered. She'd also drooled on Sasuke's shoulder right here, it was where Itachi'd freaked her out into falling—

They went upstairs, Sakura's hand running over the couch in the bonus room. Nothing had changed at all.

"You can sleep in your room," Sasuke said.

Sakura nodded. It was still her room. Hers.

"And, uh," he looked at his wife, "could you give her some of your clothes until we can get…?"

"Sure."

"Wait," Sakura said, "thanks."

"Anytime."

"And for this…" she held out his soggy coat.

He smirked and took it from her.

They walked down the hallway by Sasuke's old room and into the master bedroom.

Sakura swallowed hard and turned back to her own room. She pushed the door open. It was the same. Purple and green walls, white sheets, dresser, desk, closet…

So familiar.

The only things missing were Naruto and Hinata, plus all her stuff.

Sakura opened the glass door and stepped out onto the balcony. Pitch black, the city to her left, hills and fields, stars in the sky…

She sighed.

A few minutes later, the newest addition to the Uchiha family came in and gave Sakura some clothes. Some p.j's and a couple pants and shirts.

And soon, Sakura was asleep.

The next morning, at breakfast—

"So," Sasuke said to Sakura who was sitting across from him, "what now?"

Sakura played with her cereal. She was sitting in her spot, the place she always sat. Usually, Sasuke would sit next to her but his wife was on the other side, so…

"Where do you want to go?"

They both knew she had nowhere to go.

No answer.

At his side, his wife sipped coffee.

"You can stay here, if you want," she said.

"I…I don't want to be a burden to you guys, really."

"You were never a burden," Sasuke said, putting his plate in the sink, "not to mom and dad, Itachi, or us. You can stay."

Silence.

"Thank you. I promise I'll work extra hard and make it up to you—"

His lower lip fell down slightly.

That freak of a husband really messed her up.

"It's your house, too, Sakura. You don't have to make it up. We all work a little."

"Oh."

He cast her one last glance, and set off to work in his sleek black car.

Awkward conversation started between Sakura and Mrs. Uchiha.

"That's a…pretty ring," Sakura said, gesturing to one on her finger.

"Oh, thanks!" Sasuke's wife trilled, "engagement ring. He said it reminded him of some kind of flower. I don't see it, but it's beautiful, I know."

Sakura looked at is, closer this time. It was silver, with layered white diamonds in the center, reaching out from the middle, tiny pink crystal was carved into two feathers on the right and left. They kind of looked like petals. And if you added a couple more…the...cherry blossom…

"Sakura? You okay?"

"Uh, yeah. I'm fine."

Sakura sent the divorce notice later, and asked some of the servants if they could go back to the apartment and get her stuff.

They did, bringing all her old belongings. She set all of it up in her room like how it used to be. Like home.

LATER THAT NIGHT:

Sakura walked down the hallway by the closet and up the velvet staircase. Her bare feet made their way down it, on the other side. It was dark, so Sakura flicked the switch on for the chandelier. The massive ball room stretched out before her. The clear black sky was visible through the ceiling. The cool wooden floor underneath her was still polished and shining. The piano in the corner…tables, fountains…the things had been rearranged but still there.

Sakura walked to the center of the room, the place where she had gripped the hand of her love, surrounded by unfamiliar faces. The place where she felt, for once…at…at ease. She couldn't remember how they danced, but she knew the music, and began humming to herself as she twirled and spun with an invisible partner.

The rosette made her way to the balcony on the side. She pushed open the doors and stepped out into the darkness. Leaning on the railing, she sighed. Looking up into the sky, she saw a tiny sliver of moon.

To think…it was a night like this one…so long ago…

She closed her eyes. She was back here. After all those years, after the horrid moments in that apartment. She'd gone and messed up her life. All anybody was after was the money her children would get. Except for…of course…a couple people in her life…

In the end, she cursed and told herself she'd never get married and have kids.

She stayed like that for a long time, forcing herself not to cry. It didn't work.

A sound behind her.

She whirled around to see Sasuke with his hands in his pockets, behind him, his wife.

When he saw that her face was tear-streaked, he looked softly away while his wife stared.

"Why are you crying?" she asked, hurrying forward.

"It's nothing," Sakura said, practically reliving the moment when Sasuke'd wiped that tear away. He'd said he'd be here to do it, but he was married… she did it herself this time.

"Probably reminiscing," he said, walking to the railing and leaning his back on it.

He could read her like a book.

She smiled and sighed, turning her emerald eyes to the sky.

Mrs. Uchiha came and stood between them.

She looked from one to another.

Wind blew.

"You guys still haven't told me how you're related."

"Sister. Foster sister."

"He's my brother…"

They looked at each other, sidelong; moonlight reflecting on their faces.

The train sounded its horn, rushing by to the right.

"but…so much more," she whispered.

Sasuke gave her an actual smile; he knew what she was thinking.

Uchiha Sasuke and Haruno Sakura.

They'd shared a house, feelings, food, money, parents, a promise, a dance, a kiss…

They'd shared love.

Although they couldn't keep it going on now, it had happened.

They'd felt it. They'd lived it.

No matter how they parted ways, no matter how far or near…that feeling…that beautiful warmth from the other…that would stay with both of them forever.

And really though, that wasn't so bad.

The End.

A/N: Thus completes my first fan fiction. I want to say thank you sooooo much to ALL the readers and reviewers one last time. I couldn't have come this far without all the support! Seriously, you guys have no idea. I really appreciate it. lol, when I started this story, I had no idea how it would turn out. I can't believe I actually finished it. And I can't believe school is starting soon. Anyway…so…yeah. How was this chapter? I hope the ending was satisfying. I know Sasuke's wife and Sakura's husband are never named, and that's only because I couldn't think of any names, and I wanted them to remain unknown. I needed to make the point that Sasuke still cares for Sakura, but he's married, and he wants to be faithful, and…you know? And Sakura still loves him, but she can't let herself get between their marriage and tries to accept it. I wanted to tie up all the loose ends and complete it with a suitable closing, too. I think I rushed it. Sorry for such a late update, I just didn't know how to finish this story! Yeah. *watery smile* Okay. So. Um. Yeah. Please review. Bye.