Sorry for the late update. School . . . the word says it all. By the way, should I do a sequel? Vote (my poll on my profile) or leave your thoughts as a feedback.

CHAPTER 18-A New Beginning

Sakura was currently soaking in her bathtub. The soapy bubbles surrounded her and shielded her body from being seen. A certain raven-haired man was in her head and she smiled as she remembered the feeling of his lips upon hers.

After all that had happened, it wasn't possible to hide the information at all since one of the bombs did go off. The presidents everything but the news had a different story; Madara was brainwashed by Danzo who was still alive and Sakura had solved the case because she was tracking Yuki's killer. However, her secret of being a Matsumoto wasn't leaked.

Everyone smiled and bowed their heads in respect whenever they passed Sakura. At first it was a bit weird but eventually, she got use to it. The paparazzi followed her for quite a while and Sasuke helped her out of tough situations.

She loved him, no doubt about it, and she prayed and wished to stay with him for the rest of her life. She sighed as she lowered herself deeper into the bubbles, so that only her eyes, nose and the top of her head could be seen.

Tonight was the ball of her and Suigetsu's promotion and Sasuke was her date. She wasn't the partying type but tonight was her night and she definitely wasn't going to miss out on anything; especially when the man of her dreams was her date.

She drained out the water and wrapped a soft and fluffy white towel around her body. She looked at the full-length mirror behind her bathroom door and examined herself; pale skin, heart-shaped face, wet pink hair, large emerald eyes, slim arms, small but perky breasts, slim waist and long legs. She didn't see anything special in herself.

'I'm just me; nothing special.' She thought to herself. She wondered why Sasuke had taken a liking to her when there were obviously hundreds of women more beautiful than her. She shook her head and headed for her closet.

Sakura was all set and ready. She was in her closet and she had put on a dark blue blouse and black jeans underneath her black overcoat; nothing special, just a casual outfit.

She looked at her reflection in the mirror.

'Nothing special.' She thought to herself again. She closed her eyes and Sasuke's face came into her mind. He would be wearing a suit tonight and looking as charming as always. He was always there for her. She opened her eyes and looked at her reflection.

She smiled and decided that she was going to be special for Sasuke tonight. She started to search for something in the back of her closet. She never thought she would need it but she did now. When she found what she wanted, she smirked and pulled it out of her closet.

'For Sasuke.' She thought as she pulled her blouse over her head.

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The ball was held at the Uchiha mansion. Lights were hung around everywhere and were beautifully lighting up the entire place. A few streamers here and there and the lively atmosphere made the mansion seem even more alive.

The gang was outside in the garden and was having fun with their dates.

Naruto was wearing a white suit with a pastel yellow dress shirt and no tie. His date, Hinata was wearing a baby pink gown and her hair was tied in a loose ponytail and hung over her right shoulder. A white lily was in her hair (courtesy of Naruto) and she looked simple and innocent. She was also wearing light makeup and a silver chain around her neck.

Shikamaru was wearing a brown suit with a white dress shirt and red stripped tie. His date and girlfriend, Temari, who was one of the heirs to the Suna summer clothing company, was looking wicked in a brown one shoulder dress. Her blond hair was tied in her usual style (four pigtails) and she wore some light makeup and diamond ear studs.

Neji was wearing a brown dress shirt and black pants with a grey tie and no jacket. His date, Tenten, was wearing a yellow off-shoulder gown. Her hair was tied in a half ponytail and curled slightly from the bottom. She wore some light makeup with a yellow choker, yellow diamond studs and yellow elbow-length gloves.

Ino was wearing a devil red spaghetti strapped dress which clung to her curves like a second skin, making her look elegant yet sexy. She wore some more amount of makeup and wore white elbow-length gloves with a pearl necklace and pearl earrings. Her date and boyfriend, Sai, who was the heir to the great art gallery of Kiri, was wearing a simple black suit with a white dress shirt and no tie.

Sasuke was wearing a black dress shirt with black pants and no tie and jacket. He was waiting for Sakura and was currently talking with Suigetsu who was wearing a white dress shirt and black pants with no tie and jacket.

"Your date isn't here is she?" Suigetsu said to Sasuke.

Sasuke sighed and shook her head, "She'll be here, I know it."

Suigetsu nodded, "You're right; she's the other star of tonight's ball."

Sasuke smirked, "Well, somebody's got a sense of their own importance."

Suigetsu grinned and shrugged, "I can't help it."

Sasuke looked around the ballroom. Everything was perfect and everyone was going about, minding their own business and having fun. His parents and the other parents were talking with the people they knew and his friends were enjoying with their dates. Even Itachi, who was with his girlfriend Inuzuka Hana, the head of the tracking and animal care unit in the ANBU, seemed to be lost in a world of their own.

Itachi wasn't really promoted yet because they still had to sort out things in the ANBU department due to Madara's death. But soon, very soon, Itachi would be having a ball in his promotion as well. Sasuke smirked at his brother. Itachi met his gaze and gave a smirk of his own before turning back to his date.

The ball room quieted down a bit and everyone was gasping and staring wide with wide eyes at the door.

Suigetsu grinned, "Sasuke, your date's here."

Sasuke turned to the door and what he saw took his breath away.

Sakura was standing at the door wearing a black strapless dress which hugged her slim body perfectly, so that it showed off her womanly curves. The dress was silted up on the left leg so that it showed off her long and creamy legs when she walked. Her pink tresses were curled and tied in a messy bun with stray locks of hair framing her heart-shaped face. Her hips swayed seductively as she walked through the crowd. She wore no makeup except for some light eyeliner, to make her emerald eyes pop, but she looked absolutely stunning and seductive.

Sasuke couldn't take his eyes off her. She bowed and murmured some words in greeting. Sasuke also noticed that the men looked at her wistfully with a hint of lust in their eyes. Sasuke was angered by this; she belonged to him and not one else. Sakura finally met his gaze and smiled at him. She was perfect; an angel from heaven.

She walked towards him and smiled, "You look charming, as always."

Sasuke didn't speak. He kept staring at the woman in front of him. Sakura blushed cutely, "What's wrong?"

Sasuke reached for her cheek, caressing it softly with his thumb and leaned his forehead against hers.

"You're beautiful." He whispered, his breath fanning her face. Sakura shivered in delight and exhaled quietly. She loved it when he touched her and whispered sweet words to her.

She pulled away and smirked, "Well are we going to just stand here or enjoy the ball?"

Sasuke gave a smirk of his own and took her hand. He led her to where the others were at.

Naruto whistled, "Wow Sakura-chan. You look hot!"

Sakura blushed a bit, "Gee thanks."

Suigetsu grinned, "Told ya wearing a dress would be a good idea!"

Ino crossed her arms, "And who transformed the cold and boyish cherry blossom to a hot sex goddess."

"Whoa, I'm not a sex goddess," said Sakura. "And I dressed myself up."

"Impressive." Tenten said with a smile.

Itachi asked for everyone's attention, "We're all here to celebrate the promotion of Hozuki Suigetsu and Haruno Sakura.

The two of them have been on the ANBU for a long time. Sakura has been with us since she was four and Suigetsu joined us when he was seven. They served the ANBU well and did their jobs superbly. It's about time they got a reward!

Suigetsu is now entrusted with the scrolls and swords of the honored seven ninja swordsmen that has been one of our prized treasures since the time of our ancestors. He has surpassed the skills of the people who have wielded the swords and I think there's no one better than Suigetsu who can be trusted with the scrolls and swords."

Itachi looked at Suigetsu who grinned.

"Long ago, our town experienced something tragic; we lost our hero, our red flame of hope died out," Itachi continued. The people sighed sadly. "Matsumoto Yuki passed away, not in a gang attack but by saving the town. The same dark event was about to repeat itself but Sakura has saved the town from destruction and thus, she is our town's new hero; our blossom of faith. So I propose this toast to Suigetsu and Sakura." Itachi raised his glass.

Everyone in the ballroom smiled and raised their glasses, "To Suigetsu and Sakura!" Itachi looked at Sakura and gave a smile. Sakura nodded in thanks and gave a small smile of her own.

"Well," said Suigetsu. He held out a hand to Sakura. "May I have the first dance?"

Sakura smirked, "You dance?"

Suigetsu shrugged, "So what if I do?"

Sakura looked at Sasuke and kissed his cheek. She leaned in so that her lips were at his ear, "I'll give you the last dance."

She then took Suigetsu's hand and went on the dance floor. Sasuke danced with a few women; his mom, Kushina, Ino, Temari and Hinata.

He was currently dancing with Tenten and he watched as Sakura danced with a brown haired man. Sasuke felt the man's hand was a little too low for comfort on Sakura's waist. He spoke words Sasuke couldn't hear but he knew that the man was flirting with Sakura; his Sakura. Sakura simply gave small smiles and spoke few words.

Tenten followed his gaze and grinned, "Lighten up Sasuke! It's not like she'll cheat on you."

Sasuke looked at her and smirked, "Yeah well, I don't think Neji likes it that you are dancing with me." Indeed, the male Hyuuga was dancing with a girl and was glaring at the pair once in a while.

Tenten blushed, "I won't cheat on him. Besides you already have a girlfriend so you won't flirt with me either."

"True," said Sasuke. "But you'd be jealous if you saw a girl getting a bit too close to Neji won't you?"

"I would," Tenten admitted shyly. "But I trust him. You should trust Sakura too."

"I do trust her," said Sasuke. "It's that guy I don't trust."

Tenten laughed, "Now that's understandable." Sasuke smirked and chuckled quietly.

The song ended and Sasuke and Tenten bowed to each other. Tenten then went to Neji who embraced her and buried his lips in her hair. Sasuke smirked at the two.

"I did say I'd give you the last dance." A voice said from behind him.

He turned around and faced Sakura who was smirking at him with her hands on her hips. Sasuke held out his hand, "I don't want to disappoint you, my lady."

Sakura laughed softly and took his hand as he led her to the dance floor. She put her hands on his shoulders while Sasuke wrapped his arms around her waist. The two started to sway slowly to the music.

Sasuke leaned his forehead on hers, "I missed you."

Sakura raised an eyebrow, "Really? It's been like one and half hours."

"Still too long for me." Sasuke whispered, making her blush.

Sasuke chuckled and held her closer. Sakura moved her hand from his shoulder to wrap them around his neck. They danced around. Sakura thought about all that had happened that night. She recalled Itachi's words from his speech.

"The blossom of faith huh?" Sakura mused quietly to herself.

Sasuke heard her and pressed his lips to her temple, "That's what you are, love."

"Itachi-san sure has a way with words." Sakura said with a smile. She saw Itachi smiling and having fun as he danced with his girlfriend.

Sakura then released one of her hands and felt her cleavage. Sasuke raised an eyebrow, "What are you doing?"

"Something is very uncomfortable." Sakura said as she reached in deeper. She finally pulled out a piece of paper that said 'Call me' and had a number written on it.

Sasuke glared, "Who's number is that?"

"I don't know," Sakura said with a frown. "I don't even know how that got there. Maybe when I was dancing . . ."

Sasuke took the number from her and tore it to pieces.

"What if it was a really cute guy's number?" Sakura asked playfully, knowing it would make Sasuke pissed.

Sasuke held her even tighter making Sakura gasp. "I'm not letting you see any 'cute guy.' You're mine and mine alone." He whispered possessively into her ear. His breath tickled her ear, making her shiver.

Sakura laughed and leaned her head on his chest, "I was just kidding. I'm all yours."

Sasuke smirked in satisfaction and lifted her chin up to meet her gaze. He leaned down to place a soft peck on her lips.

"I love you." He whispered. He leaned down and captured her mouth again in a sweet and passionate kiss to which Sakura responded immediately. The kiss wasn't hurried or rushed; it was perfect. When Sasuke pulled away, he looked into her emerald eyes; the emerald eyes that contained so much love that she would only give him.

"I love you too." Sakura murmured softly. She leaned her head against his shoulder and the two danced around slowly. Sasuke closed his eyes and enjoyed the moment. Soon, he felt something warm on his neck. He exhaled quietly as Sakura nibbled and kissed his neck.

She was driving him crazy; her tongue was running ever so gently over his skin, her teeth were tugging on the flesh of his neck and her cherry-vanilla scent invaded his nose. He was intoxicated by the woman in his arms.

He pulled away a bit to look at her. Sakura's eyes looked darker than normal and he knew his looked the same.

"Why don't we go somewhere else Sasuke?" Sakura whispered seductively into his ear, sending waves of pleasure throughout his body.

The two intertwined their fingers and went to Sasuke's room, where they made love for the second time. It wasn't rushed like before; this time, they took the time show their love and affection for one another. It wasn't their happy ending; it was their new beginning.

Me: You think it's over?

Itachi: No way! There's going to be an epilogue so stay tuned!

Suigetsu: And it is gonna be super duper special.

Me, Ita and Sui: Read and review! ^_^