Author's Note:

Well, the time has finally come and, as sad as it is, I am intensely relieved. Out of the entire time I've been a member of I've attempted three stories and a one-shot. The only thing I finished was the one-shot, pathetic as that is. It's awful, but all of that is about to change.

Tattoo has been my baby for a little over five months and so pleased to see her come to completion. Thank you all for that. Without your reviews and encouragement, I don't think this could have ever gotten to this final chapter.

You guys are great and I hope you all will read Violate as well. For those that don't know, Violate is my newest project. It is a Naruto fan fiction for the Kakashi X Sakura pairing.

Thanks for a great run!

Disclaimer: I do not own Naruto or any of its characters. Thank you.

Tattoo

Chapter 20: Closure

Four weeks later…

All the excitement (or more like dread) over the whole Sasuke situation had more or less died down. Once her release from Konoha's very own medical institution, four weeks ago, had been made public, Sakura had easily become the most revered and well-regarded citizen in Konoha.

Everyone was all about handshakes, hugs and kisses, and sideways glances. Sakura could easily say that she despised the whole thing. It was just way too much attention and Sakura just couldn't deal with it. For the last two weeks, Sakura had locked herself in her tiny, dusty apartment. For two whole weeks, she cleaned everything: bleached the floors, re-upholstered her couch, and dusted every nook and cranny.

Thank god, it had finally stopped. The blood had dried, the anger had died, and Sakura's sanity had slowly but surely flooded back.

It all seemed simple again. No one stared at her or apologized repetitively anymore and she could actually breathe again.

Yes, everything seemed great, but Sakura still had one problem. It was a very big problem at that. This living, breathing, walking predicament had dark hair and beautiful, light eyes. One Neji Hyuga. The same Neji Hyuga, who had once claimed to love her and who she loved in return, hadn't spoken to her in weeks.

The pain was agonizingly eating away at her heart, but Sakura really couldn't find it in herself to give up on him. She just couldn't. It would break her heart.

Sure, there had been an intensely large amount of confusion to deal with and, at first; it made for an easy and effective distraction.

Shockingly, Kakashi had so honestly admitted his love to her and, initially, Sakura had accepted it with open arms. It had been easy and Sakura had meant everything she'd said. He was her savior. He was always there for her and she did love him; it just wasn't the same.

But now, everything was simple again.

Lucky for her, Kakashi was a very understanding man.

Flashback…

She woke, her nose pressed into a hard, cloth covered chest, and Sakura said the first thing that came to her drowsy mind, "You smell." A smile slid onto her face and Sakura giggled against the rough texture of Kakashi's shirt.

The same chest vibrated underneath her cheek and a hardy chuckle resonated throughout the sterile, white room.

"I love you too." He laughed out sarcastically in response.

And that was when everything changed- the atmosphere going from comfortable and light to tight and heavy.

Sakura looked everywhere but at him and her entire body went rigid against his. Let the awkwardness begin.

Catching her sudden change of mood, Kakashi slid out from under her and off the medical cot. Successfully distancing her heart all over again, he pulled up his mask. She wouldn't see his emotions anymore. "Sakura, it's alright." He forced out from behind tight, gritted teeth that she couldn't even see.

Still not looking at him, Sakura caught 'it'. She could hear how his words were drenched in 'it'. 'It' being the thing she had learned to hate so deeply. It was disappointment and it laced his every tone and Sakura's heart burned.

How could she do this to him?

She hadn't meant to- hadn't even tried to.

A tear slid sadly down her cheek, as she whispered, "No, its not. It's not all right. I'm so sorry Kakashi." She climbed out of the bed, desperate to be at his side. She needed him to be her rock. Sakura needed him to understand even if for just a little bit.

"You don't understand."

"Make me." His hands buried into her hair, cupping her head. Kakashi tilted her face up towards his and he stared her dead in the face. An empty dark eye and a bloody red one searched grassy green for anything to give her away.

She was so easily goaded on by his intense stare and Sakura blurted it out in the most cliché fashion, "I love someone else. I never got to tell you anything, but- but before t-this whole fucked up thing happened, I was sent on a mission.

"The mission was, in a nutshell, a fake marriage. Neji and I, we played our roles. A little too well. He loves me and I, as you can see, love him back."

The tears fell easily, but Sakura didn't let them deter her resolve.

The hand in her hair slid down her cheek and, despite a breaking heart, Kakashi smiled. "I get it, Sakura. I unders-" he was interrupted before he could even finish his thought or sentence.

"If it weren't for him- if it weren't for him, I'd be dead." This was her closure- her ending. She wouldn't say anymore. She'd had enough and there was nothing left.

Kakashi's hands dropped and his lips set into a grim line underneath his mask. This was the axe and Kakashi would be damned if he let her go without the truth being completely out in the open.

Slowly but surely, his fingers dipped into the tight mask covering his face. It flooded, pooling around his neck and Kakashi took a step closer to the pink haired kunouichi.

"Sakura, just so you know, you can push me away at anytime." He whispered in warning and then pulled Sakura flush against him, covering her mouth with his.

It wasn't anything like their first kiss. It was aggressive and dangerous, yet filled with so much emotion that it made Sakura's head hurt.

She moaned into his mouth as Kakashi bit her upper lip. His hands gripped her hips with bruising force, holding her pelvis roughly against his. He groaned, sucking on her bottom lip before sliding his tongue against hers.

In all honesty, Sakura felt like the kiss was more of a battle for dominance than an actual kiss. She let her tongue fight for her and then it was over.

Sakura very nearly fell over when his body- the body supporting her disappeared, but she caught herself. Dazed, she turned and faced Kakashi. His back was turned to her and his hand was flattened against the door. She could see the tension in his back, but she couldn't decide if he was bracing himself to jet or just trying to keep himself planted.

Her world turned upside down the minute he spoke.

"Remember, Sakura, that I love you- that I won't stop. I'll be here if your situation changes, waiting. Know that, I've not given up." And then he was gone without another word or glance.

Stuck, paralyzed, Sakura fought the heat pulling in her stomach and the desire to chase after the introverted man who had just left.

End Flashback…

A very understanding man, indeed, and a good one to boot. She really respected him for his innate ability to make her feel good. He didn't even look like it hurt him- like he hadn't just been denied love. He had definitely earned her endless admiration.

She'd always love him. That much was sure.

Sakura stopped her reverie as her feet took their final steps toward her destination. Her bare knuckles rapped on the pristine and perfect door of the Hyuga Clan's quiet compound.

Today, she'd make him see her- make him talk to her. The last four weeks had been way too long and Sakura couldn't stand it anymore.

She just wanted to know why he hadn't bothered to visit her. She wanted to see his reasoning. Why?

Her thoughts flooded and nerves jumped as she heard footsteps, very familiar steady and even footsteps.

It was a second later when the door opened to reveal her beautiful target. She smiled at his stunned expression and then went about her business, kissing him until she felt like her lips were going fall off.

Neji chuckled against her lips, quickly pulling her inside so that she couldn't escape. There was no way in hell that he was going to let her get away now.

Large hands gripped her shoulders and Neji used her body to push the door shut. If everything went according to his plan, Sakura wouldn't be leaving for quite some time. If everything went according to plan, Neji would spend the entire night ravishing and worshipping the pink haired woman's body.

His fingers ghosted over her breasts, lighting all her nerves on fire. She wanted to yell at him for not touching her, for being too gentle, but instead of yelling, Sakura moaned out, "Touch me."

More than willing to oblige and respect her wishes, Neji aligned their naked bodies in a heated embrace.

Hours later Sakura lay naked in a bed she had only dreamed about. Lying on her stomach, Sakura could feel a tongue run up her spine. She openly giggled when licking turned to gentle nibbling. "Cut it out." She breathed out against her pillow.

"It's finished." Neji whispered while running his fingers along the newly colored flowers decorating her back. The dark pink flora, with the addition of the dark lines of the tree, made for a very beautiful picture.

"Yes." Sakura stated as opaque eyes turned to her and a dreamy smile came her way. Her original goal returned to mind and Sakura turned over.

"It's beautiful. You're beautiful."

With his head rested on her muscled stomach, Sakura raised her hand and cuffed him twice over the head. Glaring, she whispered, "You're a bastard."

He looked hurt for a second, but that changed when he asked, "Now, what was that for?"

In retort, Sakura flipped him over. "For making me wait, baka."

Several slaps were thrown at Neji and Sakura growled, "Four damn weeks."

Oh, he was in for it.

Sakura was so busy that, for once, she didn't even care about the impending execution. It was all much too painful anyway.

The end…

Ending Note:

So, there it is. That's the end.

Despite all my Kakashi X Sakura praising, I felt that the only way this story could end was with Neji and Sakura back together. I also really wanted to end on a light note, so no execution scene. I hope no one is pissed over that. It just didn't seem right.

I am incredibly pleased with how this story came out as a whole. I think it had some truly beautiful points and also some great plot twisters.

I've mentioned this before, but just to refresh your memories. I plan on doing a massive rewrite of this story, lengthening and adding situations, sometime this year. It may be worth looking into, if you're interested. I'll probably end up filling in the stories holes and stuff then. Just some extra stuff, you know.

Well that's it! Remember to review and please check out Violate. I think it's going to be a good story and I hope it will satiate my Kakashi X Sakura urges. The prologue is up now. Check out my stories page. 3

Love you guys.

A.W.