The final chapter of Madara's Labyrinth 2000, "Summer's End" will be up soon. Because of its length, I might split it into two parts, but we'll see. For now, enjoy this preview. There will be two more before I share the full chapter; one with Naruto and Sasuke and one with Gaara. Follow, Fav, Review and most importantly, enjoy. Pinkboy Naberrie.

Chapter Twenty-Four

Summer's End, Preview One

Saturday September 22, 2000

53 Days after Project Blood-Moon

Tsunade's Beach-House, Destin Florida

"Ugh, I'm exhausted Menma," Sakura groaned. She cast aside her pink hair tie and sat down on her bed beside her cousin. Heat and annoyance were getting the better of her. "If I have to help lift one more fucking box, I swear I'm going to choke that dumb Indian. I can't believe how much shit we're taking back with us to the mansion."

"W-well, at least we know...Iruka takes his tribal heritage seriously," Menma panted with a grin, wiping sweat from his forehead with the back of his hand. "Me and Naruto have never been in his room before. Even you have to admit it's pretty cool."

Sakura glared at him. "It's gross it what it is," she said. "I've never seen so many smelly old ski masks in my life. It was like something from the Texas Chainsaw Massacre. There was dried blood smeared on almost all of them."

"Don't you think you're overreacting a bit?" Menma smirked; doing a crude imitation of Iruka. "Besides Sakura, they're not ski masks. They're sacred Native-American relics used to ward off evil spirits. Lord Hashirama had rooms stuffed with them when he was the Varcolac. You'll appreciate them one day. I'll give you one when you're older."

Sakura rolled her eyes. "That's the stupidest shit I've ever heard," she said. "If those masks really are for repelling evil, we should both wear one from now on. It'll keep my Dad and your Mom away."

Menma's eyes widened at Sakura's joke. She always seemed to say the funniest things when she was agitated. The two lovers looked at each-other for a second or so, and then burst out laughing. Then Menma changed the subject.

"Well, at least there's a bright side to all of this," the Uzumaki said. "We'll be living in your parents' awesome mansion in Beverly Hills together. We can chill in the pool and hang out in the jacuzzi to our hearts content. Not only that - but everyone's sticking around longer to help with the move. I know Konohamaru's happy about it."

Sakura fell silent. She didn't seem as irritated anymore, but there was a despondent look in her eyes that made Menma wonder if she was worrying about their relationship again.

"Sakura; if you're worrying about us again, don't. Like I said before..."

"It's not that," Sakura said, looking at him with sadness in her face. The edges of her blonde hair were tinted orange in the setting sun. Menma thought she looked prettier than ever. It made him want to pull the girl into his arms and tell her everything would be okay.

"I'm too in love with you now to worry about what other people think about us."

"Then what is it then? Do you still think I've got a hundred hot chicks waiting for me back home?"

Sakura didn't laugh. She wasn't even looking at Menma anymore. Her face was hidden behind her bangs and she was cradling her knees.

"I know your going to think I'm being selfish, and that I'm a spoiled little girl for feeling this way. But now that your dad's back, there really isn't any reason for you guys to stay with us anymore. So it's probably only a matter of time before you and your family go back to Michigan."

Menma didn't say anything. He'd been afraid of the same thing, but he'd pushed it from his mind. He was happier than ever to have Minato back, but he didn't want to leave Sakura either.

"You know I'm right Menma. If you guys left, Sasuke would go along so he could be with Naruto. But I'd have to stay behind. The only reason my dad's tolerated us until now is because of my mom and your dad, but I know he'd never let me go with you. That's where he'd draw the line; and I'm sure your mom would agree with him.

"Not only that; but after the move, everyone else will leave too. Kazumi and his friends have decided to go to Romania to be with the werewolves, and Deidara and Sasori are planning on going to France.

"And Shizune..." Sakura's voice craked. "Menma, I'm not going to have anyone. I'll be all alone."

She was trembling immensely now. The girl had hardly ever talked about Shizune since she was revealed to be the legendary vampire, Princess Bathory and then killed.

But Menma knew she'd taken it hard. The two had been like sisters. Now she was gone.

"Menma, I know Shizune said she never felt anything for us, and that the time we spent with her was nothing but a lie. But that night, she didn't once look me in the eyes. Was it because...Maybe she...Do you think maybe she did feel something for me?"

Tears were streaming down Sakura's cheeks. Menma slid his arms around her and rested his chin on her shoulder. "Don't Fear the Reaper" by Gus had begun playing on her boom-box. It gave Menma the same giddy feeling he'd had the first time he'd ever come to see Sakura in her room.

"Hey, do you hear that?" He asked her gently, breathing in the sweet cherry-blossom scent of her hair. "It's our song. The one that played the first time we ever kissed."

"M-Menma...I..."

"Sakura, listen to me. None of us will ever know how Shizune really felt about us. But I want to believe that the time we spent together was real."

"B-but..." She choked. "If there was good in her...Do you think...Do you think we could've saved her?"

Menma looked at her fiercely. "I really don't know Sakura. I mean that. That's the truth."

He leaned in to kiss her, but stopped when he saw the eerie red color of the setting sun.

"M-Menma...What's wrong?"

"Dad...Is this what you...?"

This story will have a happy ending as promised. I hope you all enjoy it because this is the chapter I've been working the longest and the hardest on. Pinkboy Naberrie.