Disclaimer: I do not own Naruto.


Chapter 37

For the second time around, the sound of a river made its way to her brain and startled she opened her eyes. Pain clouded her thoughts, and her limbs were sore every time she tried to move. Fighting against it, she groaned, getting on her feet. The seal had drained most of her chakra reserve and gave her a splitting headache. She felt weak and nauseous. Leaning on a tree, Sakura steadied herself. She would have to face it sooner than later. Had she succeeded? Did her and Itachi's work paid off?

Shaking her head, hoping to gain some clarity, Sakura took a few slow steps. Walking between the trees, she did not remember the walk to the village being this long, but again, she was exhausted and anxious, so maybe it was only a feeling. Her heart started to beat faster when, soon, she saw the gates of the village. Her chakra almost drained made it hard for her to focus on her surroundings. Passing the gate, a large smile found her lips when she saw the untouched rock where the face of the Hokages had been carved in the future. This was a good sign. Hope flickered in her heart and her legs wobbled.

It surprised her to see that the village had grown so much in a year.! The market was now taking the whole street, houses had been added to the sides of the different compounds... People were walking around, talking and laughing together. Hearing a gasp, Sakura turned and saw Hanami coming to her, running. Her face radiated with happiness when she confirmed that Sakura was really standing at the village's gates.

"Sakura-sama, you are back! That was quite a trip that you took!"

A trip? So the men kept her secret after all? She would have to ask what they had told everyone to build her story accordingly, but for now, she would try to give away as little information as possible.

"Yes, I know it was quite long… I was gone for what-"

"Two years, almost three! We have been waiting for your return since the day you left!"

Sakura smiled sadly. Two years… Time had flowed differently, or she did not have enough chakra to get back as far in time as she wanted to. Her mind went back to white hair and she looked at the Senju woman seriously.

"How are they?"

Understanding the underlying question, Hanami smiled so brightly that Sakura's heart clenched.

"They are good! Madara-sama married Kaiya, you know, the Uchiha apprentice you took in! It was quite the celebration. Hahirama-sama and Mito-sama had two child since you left. Tobirama-sama has been working tirelessly, training new shinobis and taking care of foreign relations… We barely see him, he is a busy man!"

The weight in her chest lessen when Hanami talked about Tobirama. So he had not settled? Good. She had not even thought about that possibility, but now that she knew he had worked most of the time she was gone, she could breathe easier. At this moment, she desperately needed to see him, so looking at Hanami with a relieved face, she cleared her throat.

"Where can I find them?"

Pointing somewhere ahead of them, Hanami smiled. "In the Hokage tower, I believe." Sakura raised an eyebrow at that. "Oh, yes. You missed that. We named Madara-sama as the village leader, the Hokage, but he refused and gave the title to Hashirama-sama. Madara-sama wanted to work from the shadows, support his friend, and did not want all the attention… Either way, we built a tower, and this is where their office is. The red tower there."

"Thank you, Hanami." Sakura smiled and, forgetting her pounding headache, made her way to the tower, her heart beating wildly in her chest. Her hands were shaking. She had done it. She was in the right past since Hanami remembered her. She had done it. Somehow, she felt so nervous to see the man that plagued her dreams and never left her mind since the day she had left.


Tobirama woke up that morning in a foul mood. He had to deal with most of his brother's workload since the arrival of his second child, but doing so was tiring, especially when he had to also run the academy and multiple other programs. With his family growing, the Senju leader had less and less time to do his work so everything was falling onto Tobirama's shoulders. Everything.

Like every morning, he went out and trained, took a bath and while he relaxed in the warm water, he tried to remember her features. He did this often, set on never forgetting her and yet, the lines of her face were fading from his memory. Had she just been a dream? He asked himself this question quite often recently. Seeing the village around him, he could see that she had been real and the pain in his chest reminded him that what they had shared had been real too.

Sometimes, though, the pain gripping his heart was vicious when he was looking at his brother and Mito, raising their children, or Madara and his wife, now pregnant. Even Izuna and Ama had a family. His brain could only wonder if she had found someone else in her time. Someone who made her forget about him. If it was the case, he was here. Alone. With no plans to replace her with anyone else. He could never feel the same with someone else. And she had promised him she would find a way.

Putting on his black pants and dark blue shirt, Tobirama sighed. Another day of work. He had to be honest, work was tiring, yes. But it also occupied his mind enough so he would not think about her. This must be why Sakura overworked herself so much when she had appeared into their lives... Walking to the tower, he was surprised when he saw his brother behind the desk when he opened the office door.

"I thought I would be the one doing your work today." Tobirama's voice was almost amused, which made Hashirama pause. He met his brother's eyes briefly before to get back to his work.

"Mito had some help this morning. Madara and Kaiya are over there right now, so I can do what I need to do and Madara can spend some time around children. Can you believe that he, Madara Uchiha, is a mother hen?" Hashirama chuckled and Tobirama shook his head.

"I can see how this is possible. The man has always been overprotective." Tobirama's voice was matter-of-factly.

"Yes, indeed. The other day he-" The sound of the door opening made Hashirama raise his eyes from the paper again and the Senju Leader stopped talking and stared, in shock.

Hashirama's jaw almost fell to the ground and Tobirama snapped his fingers in front of his face to have him focus back on the conversation they were having.

"Hashirama, if you need more sleep you s-" His brother pointed something behind him and Tobirama sighed, turning around.


Sakura stood in front of the familiar tour and had to take a few deep breaths before to go in. She knew the corridors way too well and arrived to soon in front of this massive door. She could hear their voices inside. Hashirama's normal bubbly self, and Tobirama... sounded exhausted, but alive. Doubts crossed her mind. Had she travelled back for nothing or would he be happy to see her? Maybe he would resent her for not finding a way to arrive earlier?

STOP.

Sakura took in a deep steadying breath and opened the door. She would face whatever situation. When she took a few steps in, Hashirama's jaw almost fell to the ground. Sakura could only stare at those broad shoulders, this back, the white hair that she dreamt about for so long. He had not changed a bit from what she saw of him. His backside still looked amazing...

When Hashirama pointed in her direction, Tobirama had turned his head and her heart stopped when their eyes met. He stared at her, not saying anything, his face stoic and emotionless, and her heart ached when she wondered if she had made the right choice. He did not seem happy to see her.


His mind could not process the information that his eyes saw. He froze. This could not be real. It probably was a trick from his brain, because there were no possible ways that she could be in this office, in the past. Here. He probably missed her too much, or was becoming crazy.

She stood there, watching him with unsure eyes. Emeralds. He had forgotten how rich their color was... Was she really in the office? Extending his sensor ability, he could feel her chakra brush against his. Even though it was abnormally low, the contact sent a shiver down his spine… But it was her. And she was here. In this time.

Facing her fully, Tobirama eyed her. Her hair was longer than he remembered, now reaching her breasts. She still looked the same, her outfit was more modern, but she still looked amazing nonetheless... She was eyeing him warily, like he would lash out at her or something. Taking an hesitant step forward, he stopped. He feared that if he only touched her, she would disappear again.

"S-Sakura?" He really did not want to get his hopes up, but it was quite hard considering that she stood in front of him. Hearing the note of hope in his voice, Sakura eyes filled with tears and she nodded her head with a small smile. Tobirama looked at Hashirama while pointing in the medic's direction. "You see her too, right?" Hashirama nodded, jaw still hanging.

Seeing something in his crimson eyes melt, Sakura knew that this had been the right choice. Not able to contain her emotions, she ran towards him and wrapping her arms around his mid-section, pulled him close to her in a tight embrace, her cheek on his chest.

A shuddering breath left him when her scent reached his nose and soon, his strong arms crushed her against him. A sob escaped her, and he held her tighter. He could not believe it. It was her. In his arms. He pressed his face in her hair and inhaled deeply. It was her. She had come back to him.

Hashirama got up and walked slowly to the door.

"I will let you two have a minute." The picture they made was heartwarming and Hashirama did not miss the tears on his brother's cheeks. Smiling softly, he closed the door behind him. He had so many people to notice of this arrival.


They stayed in each other's arms for a few minutes before he cupped her face, looking deeply in her eyes. Her heart broke when she saw the tears strikes on his cheeks and she wiped them gently.

"It's really you?"

"Yes, it's me."

"But w- How?" He was at a loss of words, his brain still trying to process her presence in the office.

"I had a promise to fulfill." Her emeralds met his eyes and she continued. "When I appeared back in my time, everything was so different. It was wonderful to see them all alive, but… You were not there. I had someone help me with the time travel seal that we worked on before I disappeared."

"How? I had everything here with me... Starting from scratch would have been too long to-"

She cut him gently. "I had my friend, a Yamanaka, go back in my memories and get the information we had found and then worked from there. I was not sure it would succeed, but-" Her voice broke slightly and she took a deep breath continuing. "I could not imagine not seeing you ever again, so I took the risk."

The pure awe in his eyes made her shiver against him. He grabbed her face and kissed her softly. He could not believe that for an instant, he had doubted her word. He would never make this mistake again.

"I am glad you did."

He could not believe that she had done it. He had thought she was gone for good. The pain of her sudden departure had been so intense, having her in front of him was like a gift. It was unreal. But so damn amazing. If this was a dream, he did not want to wake up from it.

Now, he could only stare at her, drinking in the details of her face, the way her body was fitting in his arms... Unable to find the words and express to her how happy he was to see her, he did the only thing he knew how to do. He showed her how he missed her. Pressing his lips on her fervently, he poured everything, every single emotion in this kiss. He poured two years of longing, of hope, of love. Everything.

Sakura focused on how he felt, pressed against her, the feel of his mouth, the amazing scent of pine tree and rainwater. The solid muscles rippling under his shirt.

With quick hand signs, they were now in her house. He kissed her senseless and in a frenzy they took each other's clothes off. Tobirama made up for the time they had been apart, tearing moans and wicked sounds out of her with his hands, his mouth, and his body… And considering her low chakra, he could not blame her when she immediately fell asleep afterward, head on his chest with a smile on her lips.

He stayed there, awake, long after she fell asleep. His fingers running up and down her back. She was here with him. And he would make sure that she never regretted her decision to call this place home.


Sakura woke up a few hours later that night, in her bed. His palm was sliding up and down her back like he tried to remember every dips and curves of it, tracing her scars that he knew so well. She smiled up at him groggily, still exhausted from her time travel and their previous activities.

She could see the small frown on his face in the dark and placed her head in her hand, watching him, knowing that something was plaguing his mind. After a few heartbeats, he finally took a deep breath, determined.

"Will you have to leave?" She could hear some fear behind his rehearsed stoic expression.

At that, she sat in bed, the blanket pooling around her naked body. A shiver ran through her when the cold air grazed her skin. She met his eyes.

"I won't. I'll stay here as long as you want me to." She saw his posture relax and she knelt before him, cupping his face. "Actually, I have no intention to leave because I love you, Tobirama Senju." Kissing him softly, she smirked. "I am afraid you will have to deal with me for the rest of your life, love."

Hearing those words again was the most beautiful sound to his ears. He almost forgot how his heart skipped a beat every time she said it. The last words she said made him smile. Reaching behind him with one hand and taking her hands in his other, he sighed softly.

"I thought about it a lot…" For some reason Sakura got nervous. Had she been too forward? The hadn't seen each other for a while, maybe something had changed? Maybe he wanted to take his time? He continued. "When you left, I was angry at myself. I felt like I did not work hard enough to find a way to keep you here with me."

Sakura tilted her head and frowned. She did not know where he was going with that, but knowing him, everything he said had a purpose, so she listened.

"It took me a while to realize it, but then I came to terms with that feeling… after Madara stopped me from doing something stupid. After that, I hoped with my whole being that you would come back to me somehow. And you did. So-"

"What is it?" Her anxious demeanor did not escape him, and he smiled inwardly. She had made him wait for so long, not on purpose, but still, he could make her wait for a few more seconds.

"Patience, I am getting there."

She pouted and he kissed the corner of her mouth softly. She closed her eyes, enjoying the warmth of his lips. When she opened her eyes, she gasped at the intensity of the emotions displayed in his beautiful crimson eyes.

"I am beyond relieved that you came back and that you want to stay, since there is no way that I'll let you go ever again because… I love you and-"

Relieved that they were still on the same page, silent tears rolled down her cheeks and she threw her arms around his neck. His deep laugh rumbled through his chest and he pushed her back slightly, sliding something on her finger gently.

".. and I would love if you could stay be my side. Forever."

Taking in the sight of the delicate ring on her finger that matched her necklace, Sakura burst into tears and nodded her head, not able to talk. This was perfect. Reaching for her face, he wiped her tears with his thumbs and grinning happily, he continued.

"Because, I would be more than happy to deal with you for the rest of my life, love."

A laugh escaped her. He had planned to make her nervous. But in the end, she did not mind. Everything had been worth it. Everything. Straddling his hips, she wrapped her arms around his neck. His hands grazed the soft skin of her hips. Lips a breath away from him, she met his hungry crimson eyes.

"I love you, stupid Senju."

Finally, in his arms at last, she felt like she belonged somewhere. Like she mattered and was someone's equal. Like everything made sense.

She was at home.

Two souls meant to be together really did find their way back no matter what.


Note: This is not the final chapter. Of course there is a bit more. Everyone deserve a happy ever after, so stay tune. Thank you for reading, thank you for the constant support!