CHAPTER 4: Queen Sara of Rouran

-Flashback-

They finally did it. Mukade has finally been defeated by a team of elite Konoha Shinobi, destroying the said time-traveling rouge ninja's ambition to rewrite the Shinobi history using the power of Ryumyaku, the unique, potent Chakra leyline existing beneath the city of Rouran.

The people of Rouran were now free from slavery thanks to the newfound resolve of their current ruler, Queen Sara. Despite the dangers entailed during the battle, Queen Sara was able to aid the team of Konoha Shinobi against Mukade's army of puppets. And that resolve to protect her people was something she learned from that certain specific blonde, hyperactive Shinobi, who, despite being treated harshly by her during their first meeting, still did his best to protect and save her from being the Puppet Queen under Mukade.

The said Shinobi, Uzumaki Naruto, whom she thought was just another annoying person at first, was able to change her outlook on life. He changed how she views the world, he changed her to become a better person, a better Queen for her people, aside from protecting and saving her against those too-many-to-count life-threatening situations during the battle against Mukade with most of the time completely disregarding his own safety and well-being.

And despite all these happening within a day, Naruto was able to find his way and engrave himself within her heart, and he was able to do so unintentionally. During their short time together, she didn't notice at first that she had already begun developing feelings she never thought she would have by that time. A feeling that was very painful yet feels so right. During the events that lead up to the point of Mukade's defeat, he never once wavered. His clumsy yet gallant stance, his valiant resistance while fighting and protecting her gave a deep impression on her. Despite his injuries and battered body, he always gave her reassurance that everything will be alright… That he will always be right there, protecting her no matter what…

Before she realized it, she ended up trying to chase him. She realized that she needed someone like him. She felt like needed him to stay by her side… regardless of the outcome of this fight.

However, right after the Ryumyaku was stabilized by the Shinobi named Minato Namikaze, Naruto's body, together with another Shinobi named Yamato, began glowing. The harsh reality came, hitting Sara in full force. Naruto was not from this timeline. He came from the future and only was able to exist in the past due to Mukade's influence. And now that the battle is over, Naruto's existence must now return from the timeline where he came from…

They said parting words to each other. Naruto once again reassured her that she can now lead Rouran as its rightful Queen to a much better future. Queen Sara then said that she will never forget him. She tried accepting that he cannot exist by her side. And she must accept it. For her people, for this timeline, for him.

Naruto then gave her his signature grin. A smile of reassurance as his existence on this timeline almost completely vanished. That last smile should be enough to keep her moving forward…

…but that same smile itself made her realize that she can't do it. She cannot accept that he will be gone for good, not by her side, and most of all, she cannot accept that her memories of him must also be sealed together with those short, yet valuable times she spent with him… her very first love…

That's why… at the very last moment, she ran towards the last trace of existence that he had with open arms, attempting to hug him tightly…disregarding the possible consequences of her sudden impulsive action…

The very moment she reached him… her vision… everything turned white…

-Flashback End-

Sara opened her eyes, and traces of a lone tear ran down her cheeks. She then sat on her bed, then looked outside thru the window. It was nighttime. The sky was clear, displaying the twinkling stars that made her feel more melancholic.

She's still in the same room where she spent time together with Temari. She's like a prisoner under house arrest. The Kazekage ordered her to stay in that room to ensure her safety. After all, her circumstances were very, very unique.

She is a person from the past. Her current 19-yr. old self shouldn't exist in this era.

"Naruto…" She muttered with longing and sadness.

Right after she attempted to hug Naruto as the blonde Shinobi was about to disappear, she found herself lying on one of the ruins of Rouran's former royal castle. She was, at first, surprised that her beloved city was now in ruins, making her think that because of her sudden disappearance from the past led her city into such a state in the future.

She was able to get a new set of her usual, red-colored royal robe within the ruined royal palace, replacing her current tattered clothing that she had during the fight against Mukade. It also made her wonder how come that the royal palace where she got her new royal robes were not damaged by whatever reason that made the city look like this. She needed to look for answers. And she only had herself and the Chakra Blade that Naruto left behind in her custody right now. So she began wandering around the city.

After a few hours of walking around the ruined city, as if looking for some information regarding her current situation, she noticed two Shinobi approaching her. One blonde kunoichi with huge fan-like weapon in front of her, and one Shinobi with a weird facial painting pattern behind her…

-Scene Change-

"…two weeks ago, we immediately went to the ruins of Rouran right after our Intelligence Unit sensed some kind of strange Chakra movement being detected in that ruined city," Temari said as she, together with Kankuro and Gaara, were standing in one of the verandas of the Kazekage tower. "After all, it was more of a sealed city than a ruined city due to it containing the mysterious Ryumyaku chakra leyline. That's why the Wind Country protected it thru the Hidden Village of the Sand from anyone who will attempt to do something on those ruins since after the 3rd Shinobi War."

"And as we trace that strange Chakra movement given by our intel, we found her walking around the ruined city, with her movements having visible familiarity with the city's structure despite its ruined state," Kankuro added. "Feeling that she wasn't some sort of bandit, Temari and I allowed our presence to be felt as we approach her."

"She's visibly wary of us, of course. We tried to approach her, but she pointed out her Chakra Blade against us." Temari muttered while remembering the incident. "Despite her clumsy, un-Shinobi-like stance, her face was brimming with determination back then. It was then that we noticed the familiar insignia from the Chakra Blade that she was currently holding."

"Konoha." Gaara said in neutral expression.

"Yes. Konoha's insignia." Kankuro said. "With traces of Naruto's Chakra on it."

"So I communicated with her as to let her guard down, thinking that she might be someone from or affiliated with Konoha. I can't believe how she responded back then." Temari said with a smile of admiration. "She said, 'I am an acquaintance of the Hidden Leaf Village. I need to meet someone from that Village. So I need you to take me to your Kazekage. If you won't do as I say, then I respectfully request to you two to leave me alone.'"

"I asked her, 'How can you be so sure that we're not some bad guys aiming against you? We might be members of some hidden organizations who might do something nasty against you.' And all she replied was, 'You guys approached me properly. No bandits would ever do that. You also have a forehead protector from the Hidden Village of the Sand, so most likely that the two of you were sent here by the Kazekage to investigate something, one way or another. And besides, you're a beautiful woman. I believe that someone like you, with such composure, will never do anything wrong against me."

"She is a very beautiful, courageous, and observant woman," Kankuro said, vocal of his first impression of the former Queen.

"I see. That's the reason why you immediately took her to me." Gaara said…

-Scene Change-

"I'm glad that the Hidden Village of the Sand was far more welcoming now than it used to be during our time. Even their Kazekage right now seems like a gentle person." Sara muttered to herself.

During that time Temari and Kankuro brought her to the Kazekage for the first time, she immediately said that everything that she was about to tell was very confidential information and she swore that she will only tell nothing but the truth. With only the three Suna siblings currently on the room, Sara told them of her circumstances… that she was someone from the past, how the City of Rouran was from the past, how Mukade controlled the city and attempted to take advantage of her so he can use the Ryumyaku for his own bidding, until a group of Shinobi from Konoha and a pair of Shinobi from the same village, albeit from the future, came to help her and free the enslaved citizens of Rouran from Mukade.

The three Suna siblings intently listened to her story. But what the trio noticed was how Queen Sara gets animated, emotional, and affectionate each time the name 'Naruto' was ever mentioned. They did inform her beforehand that Suna was now an allied Village with Konoha so she can be rest assured with them even for a little, but didn't inform her yet by that time that they were close acquaintances with Naruto himself. And the way she described Naruto, how he made her into a better person, and how he fought recklessly just for the sake of protecting her, together with the Chakra Blade that she had right now, were more than enough for them to believe the validity of her stories, much to the Queen's surprise.

The only wonder the Suna siblings had, was that based on Sara's description of Naruto, the blonde Shinobi took that said mission more or less 4 years ago, sometime before Pain attacked Konoha. This made them wonder how come Sara was only able to time-traveled and appeared right now, and not around the same time when Naruto and his team completed their mission.

Sara explained that it was possibly because of Ryumyaku's instability back then. She told them that Mukade, despite being influenced near-simultaneously by the Ryumyaku with Naruto and Yamato, arrived six years earlier in the past than Naruto, with Yamato being delayed for nearly another 24 hours after Naruto's appearance from the same timeline. When she made contact with Naruto before he disappeared, the Ryumyaku might have acted up before being sealed, sending her also, but into a much further, future timeline from the then Naruto's timeline.

This actually made her wonder, if she hugged Naruto much earlier and not during the last second before he disappeared, she might have arrived in a much earlier time period than now. Well, not that it matters much, since she was currently 19-yr. old girl who fell in love with a 16-yr. old guy. With her being transported 4 years further from Naruto's, they were now of the same age. This realization somewhat made her so happy.

However, Sara wondered why the Suna siblings readily accepted and believed her absurd time-travel story. Gaara reasoned that due to the power of Ryumyaku, such an event might actually be possible. However, it was when Temari mentioned that they were actually close acquaintances with Naruto, matching Kankuro's huge grin and Gaara's small smile, that made Sara blush so hard that enough to make a tomato jealous. Gaara further added that he considered Naruto as a very close friend, then told her about his own story with the blonde Jinchuuriki.

"After hearing the Kazekage's story on how Naruto also changed him, I can't help but fall in love with him more," Sara said as she tightly clasped both her hands in front of her chest. "Not only the Kazekage… but he also helped to change this world for the better…"

As she stayed in the Kazekage's tower for the past two weeks, Temari somewhat became rather close to her. As if seeing her somewhat in pain due to the current state of her city, Temari showed her some records that Rouran became a battlefield and was destroyed during the 3rd Shinobi World War. However, none of the Rouran citizens died during the War because Suna accepted them as 'immigrants' from the said City.

A few years later that it was only revealed by the Rouran citizens, though still highly classified, that the last Queen of Rouran vanished while sealing the Ryumyaku chakra leyline, protecting it from being used again since only those of royal blood native from Rouran can activate the leyline before being used for whatever purpose. And for the Ryumyaku not to be targeted again like what Mukade did and seeing that a major battle will involve Rouran during the then Shinobi World War, the remaining citizens of Rouran mutually decided to migrate to the Sand Village and let the City of Rouran be destroyed by the ensuing battle to camouflage the leyline from other evil intents.

Sara smiled to herself. She might have not become a good Queen, but she left something to Rouran, and the citizens abide by her will despite selfishly disappearing during those times that they needed her. All that they knew was that she disappeared trying to seal the Ryumyaku after saving them from Mukade's slavery, but they didn't know that she was sent to the future, on this current timeline. So she accepted that it would be better for her people not to know her circumstances or things will definitely get complicated, in more ways than one.

Then, Temari went ahead and told her stories of what happened to Naruto after he returned from Rouran. He protected Konoha and fought against Pain, fought against the powerful members Akatsuki on the 4th Shinobi World War, fought even against the literal Goddess of Chakra, then a year later, saved the world from destruction due to the falling moon by defeating another powerful otherworldly enemy.

While the stories made her reaffirm her feelings and further fall in love with him not because of his achievements, but because of him being the same as who he is back then, it was then that she learned that the Naruto she fell in love with now has a fiancé named Hinata Hyuuga, a heiress candidate from one of the most prestigious clans of the Hidden Leaf. According to Temari, Hinata already loved Naruto way back during their childhood. It was only during the Moon Incident that Naruto realized this and accepted her feelings, thus becoming a couple. And this made her feel so sad; her heart suddenly felt a pain that she never thought possible.

Fate and destiny made them meet each other. She fell in love with him. They got separated by space and time, yet fate and destiny once again do their thing. However, the very person she's chasing right now, believing that she can now able to reach, has now become much further to her than ever before.

It's not that she can't just accept it. It was four long years for him. And with his character, it will only be a matter of time before he found that special someone who really cares for him. But for her, it was only a mere 2 weeks since they last saw each other due to the events concerning Mukade.

That's why it was painful for her. He's the only one she needs right now. He's the reason why she ended up on this timeline. She basically only had him due to her current circumstances. Thinking about him, being with him, and falling in love with him felt so right. But right now, it felt so wrong. But she can't just give up on it. Not until she was able to meet him again… even for one last time…

That's why when the Kage Summit and the news about Naruto were about to return after his more than a year disappearance, she had Gaara promise to make her meet Naruto no matter what. Gaara felt sorry for her, but this is the least he can do. That's why Gaara made such arrangements with Naruto during the previous Kage Summit so he can visit Suna and have both him and Sara meet again…

"Naruto…" Sara brought her clasped hands to her forehead as if praying that her feelings will reach the person of her affection… with a lone tear once again escaping her sad, longing eyes…

-Scene Change-

On the outskirts a few kilometers outside Konoha…

"I still don't like it," Naruto grumbled. Both of them were in their mission gear, with Naruto wearing the same attire that he had when he returned to Konoha a few days ago, with Hinata wearing the same mission gear she had during the Moon Incident. He was now currently lying down on the ground, his head on Hinata's lap. Hinata, on the other hand, was lightly brushing Naruto's hair with her right hand. The two of them were currently on their way to Suna and on a quick break, resting under a huge tree.

"Well… we can't do anything about it," Hinata said, trying to be reasonable with Naruto regarding the law. However, she can easily understand why Naruto felt like this. She had loved him for so long. And now that she's finally able to walk side-by-side with him, it just feels so wrong having another woman entering their lives as a couple due o the implementation of that Feudal Law, and the worst was that she must share Naruto with that woman in more ways than one. Those thoughts alone were painful enough for her.

What if Naruto was forced to marry someone by the Daimyos? What if Naruto was forced to marry someone who will use him as a mere trophy? What if someone tries to control Naruto using those arranged marriages? To most of the Shinobi World, Uzumaki Naruto is a Hero, a very powerful Shinobi, and a future Hokage, yet only those who were close to him know what Naruto has been through that allowed him to make it up to this point.

A lot of things were going on through her head. Indeed, the two of them don't like the new law. While Konoha did change some provisions within the law, both felt like they were being cheated in some form or another. Naruto wanted to protect Hinata's feelings. Hinata wanted to protect Naruto from being married to a woman who will possibly end up only using him for whatever selfish reasons.

"Hinata… do you want to leave Konoha behind, and live with just the two of us?" Naruto muttered the one thing that Hinata never thought Naruto would say: leaving the Village behind, just for her.

Hinata's eyes widened, surprised of Naruto's words.

"No! You can't do that, Naruto-kun!" Hinata said, her face painted with worry and anxiety. "You can't just abandon the Village! You're the Hero of Konoha! You've already been through a lot for you to make it this far! You can't just discard your dream of becoming the Hokage when it's already right before you!"

"Hinata…"

"It is not the Village's fault. So please don't think about leaving the Village, and your friends, and abandoning your lifelong dream. You can't do that just because you don't like the law that the Daimyos implemented." Hinata said returning to her calm demeanor. "I am honestly so happy that you're thinking this much about me, about my feelings, Naruto-kun. My heart is jumping with joy hearing how you need only me and no one else."

Naruto then stood up, then sat behind Hinata, and hugged her from behind.

"Of course. I'm sorry, Hinata. You deserve a lot more. I honestly think, even right now, that I don't deserve someone like you."

"I, too, am thinking the same. Sometimes, I also am thinking if I really have the right to stay by your side."

"Don't say that. I'll get angry."

"Then don't think like that. I'll also feel sad."

The two further snuggled to each other, with Hinata leaning on him, her head on his shoulder. Naruto then lightly rubbed his cheek with Hinata's as he closed his eyes.

"I don't want you to marry another woman. But given the current situation, we won't have much of a choice. Right now, the only hope I have for the current circumstances is for you not to be married to a woman who will only use you as some kind of mere price or due to better their status. And if you will end up marrying another woman, I hope it was someone who will also love you as who you are, and not what you are." Hinata said lovingly, hiding the pain within her just by muttering those words.

"Yeah, but I don't know if there will be another woman who will love me as who I am, not as what I am. You're the only one I know who loves me like this." Naruto said. "Not that I intend to look for another one either."

"But if we won't find another girl, then you might be forced to marry someone for political reasons." Hinata rebutted, implying the worst-case scenario.

"Hmm…" Naruto gave a grumbling reaction. "Let's think about it later. For now, let's head straight to Suna. It is rare for Gaara to invite me like that. As his friend, I just can't leave him hanging."

"Hai. To Kazekage-sama then." Hinata replied with a smile. As she attempted to stand from their current position…

"Change of mind. Let's stay like this for a few more minutes." Naruto tightened her hug from behind with a huge grin. Hinata cutely giggled as she once again leaned backward to her lover, enjoying their alone time together, as if trying to erase their anxiety under the shade of the big tree.

-Scene Change-

"Well, you can't blame Naruto. This was his first time having such strong feelings for someone of the opposite sex." Sakura said while cooking dinner, with Sasuke sitting on the dining room. "But what about you, Sasuke-kun? According to Ino, you readily accepted that law without much reaction during the Council Meeting. In fact, I heard you even added additional provisions to the law to lessen its possible negative impact."

"What do you expect? Don't even imagine me reacting like that idiot from time to time." Sasuke said to Sakura. "You can't blame me for not opposing the law. Right now, I am just a mere pardoned criminal. I may be against the Daimyos' law, but I am here right now thanks to Naruto. I know most of the villagers are still quite wary of me. That's why I want to rebuild relationships with others, one step at a time, in my own way."

"Sasuke-kun." Sakura gave a loving smile towards Sasuke. She never thought that he would ever return to Konoha. His crimes, his hatred for what happened to Itachi, his hate against the village due to what happened to his clan… she thought that she can never be together with him again. She, like everyone else, had already given up on him.

But Naruto was able to reach him. He fulfilled his promise and made Sasuke return to the Village. He might be leaving for dangerous, long-term missions concerning the Otsutsukis from time to time, but that was his own way of atoning for his sins. That's why simple moments like these were treasures for her.

"So… what will you gonna do now? You said that you're just a pardoned uh… criminal, right? Surely, the political figures will use that against you as means to force you into an arranged marriage, right?" Sakura carefully asked. "They will definitely use your lineage to gain younger generation with Uchiha bloodline from your marriages, then use them for power, and it might incite chaos once again in the near future."

"I might not react like him, but that doesn't mean I am not thinking of such situations," Sasuke replied in a quite stern voice. "For now, all that I need is a 2nd wife to comply with the law. And after that, I'll think about something so that those nobles and daimyos won't approach or target me for an arranged marriage for a 3rd wife and so." Sasuke said with a small smirk.

"A 2nd wife? You already have a target 2nd wife?" Sakura sighed in defeat. "So I really am not enough for you, Sasuke-kun."

"Idiot." Sasuke sighed this time. "Like I have said, to comply with the law. If I have a choice, I will choose you over that other girl over and over."

"That girl..." Sakura gave a thinking pose. "…aaahhh! You mean that girl!"

"Yeah, right. I'll have to take Karin out of Orochimaru's Laboratory and have him as my 2nd wife." Sasuke said to Sakura, making the pink-head kunoichi react with a comical expression.

"Wait a second, Sasuke-kun!" Sakura yelled comically. "You have yet to propose to me, but you already have a second wife in mind?! Shannaroooo!"

-Scene Change-

"Kazekage-sama." An informant appeared right in front of Gaara's desk. "Uzumaki Naruto-sama and Hyuuga Hinata-sama of the Hidden Leaf Village have been already sighted and was about to enter our Village. We are waiting for your orders…"

"I see," Gaara said with a small smile. "Let me welcome them personally. Thanks for the notice."

The informant bowed before leaving the room. Gaara then walked towards the veranda of the Kazekage Tower, then looked towards the direction of the gate where Naruto and Hinata were about to enter…

"You might have grown powerful as a Shinobi, my friend…" Gaara muttered to himself. "But with this situation, I want to see how much you have grown, as an individual, and as a person." A mild wind then began blowing, lightly shuffling his red hair. Then gradually, his physical form began dispersing into sand particles until his entire physical body became such, allowing the breeze to carry him toward his desired location…

-Scene Change-

As Naruto and Hinata entered Suna, the two were greeted by warm cheers and smiles from the Suna Shinobi and citizens alike. Naruto awkwardly waved his right hand in return, while Hinata gave a shy smile.

The two were welcomed by Temari and Kankuro as they walked towards the Kazekage Tower. The four prominent Shinobi of their respective Hidden Villages then began talking to each other, with Naruto and Kankuro teasing Temari about her relationship with Shikamaru, while Hinata did her best so that Temari won't use her Wind Jutsus to blow the two away out of embarrassment.

On their way near the Kazekage Tower, a pile of sand began forming into humanoid form. It was then revealed to be Gaara, personally welcoming his friend to his Village. The two exchanged a friendly handshake, earning cheers from those who were watching them.

"It's been a while, Kazekage-sama." Naruto greeted with a huge grin. Hinata lightly bowed and gave the Kage a small smile as well.

"Don't greet me like that. It's not very like you." Gaara replied to his blonde friend with a smile as well.

It is a rare sight for the Kazekage and the Hero of the Shinobi World to exchange pleasantries out in the open. So the Suna citizens took advantage of watching such a rare occurrence until the group entered the Kazekage Tower.

Instead of the Kazekage Office, Naruto and Hinata sat in the guest room. Kankuro and Gaara kept them company, exchanging various information and topics casually without a trace of formal communication like it used to when there was an official meeting like the Kage Summit. It was indeed just a friend visiting and talking to a friend, spending time together.

After a few good minutes of random conversation and having some light snack, the four Shinobi went silent, as if mutually realizing that they must start talking about the reason why Gaara invited Naruto to visit. The Kazekage then nodded to Kankuro, and Kankuro then went ahead and knocked on the other door that connects the guest room to another room, implying that whoever was on the other side can now enter the room.

Temari first entered the room, then gave the couple from Konoha an anxious smile. This made Naruto and Hinata wonder what was this all about. It was then that Naruto sensed another person who was just behind the door, waiting to enter the room. And much to Naruto's surprise, the person he sensed behind the door was someone he definitely knew, but at the same time, felt very foreign to him. But before the person entered the guest room…

"Naruto." Gaara then began speaking seriously. "Do you still remember that one time that you, together with the rest of your team, chased a rogue ninja named Mukade to the ruins of the Lost City of Rouran?"

"Well, yeah…" Naruto replied. "We chased down Mukade on the ruins of Rouran, then a light suddenly appeared, consuming him, me, and Yamato-taichou. When the light subsided, Sakura and Sai found me and Yamato-taichou lying on the ground, unconscious, with not even a single trace of Mukade around..."

"…however, when I woke up, I can feel my entire body aching, as if I've just gone through some serious battles against a powerful opponent. Both I and Yamato-taichou felt like we can't remember anything that happened, as if someone sealed our memories or something… and up 'til now, every once in a while, those thoughts kept nagging me. As if my sealed memories were telling me that something very important happened back then…"

"I see." Gaara closed his eyes. He then shifted his attention to the person behind the door. "You may now enter."

The person immediately entered the room before Gaara could even finish his statement. The former Queen of Rouran and the blonde Shinobi's eyes finally met each other…

"Naruto…" Sara muttered, tears starting to form in the lid of both her eyes. Her face was now filled with unexplainable emotions as if her feelings were now trying to burst her open now that the person of her affection was now right in front of her.

Hinata observed the girl and her reaction right after she entered the room and the way she muttered Naruto's name with such gentle affection. It wasn't a mere affection that a woman can express without deep feelings hiding within it. She then looked towards Naruto, with Gaara, Kankuro and Temari doing the same. And what they saw also somewhat surprised them.

Naruto was looking intently at the girl with a complicated expression on his face. They saw a bead of sweat roll down his face as if he was doing something very difficult even for someone like him.

"We'll be waiting outside," Gaara said as he began walking towards the main door. Kankuro and Temari seemed intent to be left behind, but Gaara used some small amount of sand particles to lightly push the two towards the same door as him.

Once the door has been closed…

"Who…" Naruto muttered, still having difficulty expressing himself. "Who are you?"

"…!" Sara stood there, her eyes now in shock. She knew that this might be the cause of the Memory Altering Seal that Minato Namikaze have cast back then, but still, she felt pain after Naruto openly admitted that he didn't know her.

However…

"…no… I know you! But I just can't remember…" Naruto grabbed the right side of his face with his right hand, lightly gripping that part of his face, as if trying to browse his past memories…

"Naruto-kun…" Hinata then held Naruto's left hand with both her hands. She immediately used her Byakugan to trace if something was wrong with Naruto's Chakra circulation, but wasn't able to detect anything, making her feel more worried for her fiancée.

'So this is… Naruto's fiancée, Hinata Hyuuga-san.' Sara looked towards the girl who was showing affection and worry to Naruto. For a moment, she imagined herself being in her place, overlapping her image with Hinata's, supporting and worrying for Naruto about his current situation. She then shook her head.

Indeed, the Kazekage fulfilled her request. She was now able to see Naruto again. Naruto might not have remembered her thru his memories, but seeing how Naruto was in pain trying to remember who she is, was more than enough for her to realize that somehow, in one way or another, remembered him within his heart.

It was, indeed, more than enough for her…

It should be…

Sara then wiped away the tears falling down her eyes with her sleeves, then approached Naruto and Hinata, the former still lightly gripping the right part of his head, while the latter still gripping Naruto's left hand with both her hands, her expression filled with worry for him.

Sara then gently kneeled in front of Naruto, then looked towards Hinata.

"I'm sorry." She gently said to the Hyuuga girl. "But for one last time, please let me hold him."

Hinata nodded, but much to Sara's surprise, Hyuuga's left hand reached her right hand, then led it to Naruto's left hand. Now both their right hand were now clasping Naruto's left hand.

"Why…?" Sara looked towards Hinata with a bewildered expression.

"I know that this is the first time that we have met. However, after I saw your feelings and emotions for Naruto-kun, I can't help but feel that I can easily relate to those feelings that you were keeping this entire time within yourself." Hinata gave a gentle smile to Sara. Hinata then placed her left hand on top of Sara's right hand. "You know Naruto as who he is, not as what he is, am I right?"

"Yes… Yes… Hinata-san…" Sara's tears once again started rolling down her cheeks. Sara then also placed her left hand on top of Hinata's left hand. Sara then leaned closer, then have her forehead lightly touch the intertwined clasping hands between her, Hinata, and Naruto…

All of a sudden, as if a key was used to unlock something, the very moment that Sara's forehead touched the intertwined hands; a flash of memories came rushing into Naruto and Hinata's mind. The memories showed how Naruto traveled back in time to fight against Mukade, how he fought together with his father, Minato Namikaze, and also, how he protected and saved Sara multiple times during the ordeal. He saw her blossomed from an annoying childish girl into a rightful Queen of Rouran. The sealed memories from the literal past have finally been unlocked.

Naruto then returned to his real-life consciousness, then saw Sara, her forehead still touching their intertwined hands with Hinata, her gesture seemingly desperate for him to be able to remember her.

At that moment, Sara then decided to let go of Naruto and Hinata's hands, then stood from her kneeling position. Without any other words, she went ahead towards the door where she came from while hiding her eyes thru her bangs, attempting to leave the room on her own.

"Wait!" Hinata tried calling Sara, but she didn't respond.

The Suna siblings who were listening outside the room had mixed feelings and reactions as they hear how the drama unfolded. After all, they still can't help but feel affected by the current turn of events that were currently unfolding on the other side of the wall.

Before she could leave, Sara stopped for a moment, then looked towards Naruto.

"Thank you for everything, Naruto. I'm glad that I was able to meet you even for one last time." She said with a sad smile. "You don't have to worry about me, for who I am, or what I am to you. You already have Hinata-san right now. I am glad that she is the kind of girl whom you decide to spend the rest of your life with. I know… and now I believe… that she can make you happy."

"…" Hinata looked towards the red-haired girl, as tears were also forming in her eyes…

"Goodbye… Naruto." Sara then attempted to take another step, this time, away from Naruto's life completely.

"Sara." Naruto muttered, completely stopping Sara's movement.

"…" Sara looked towards Naruto with a stunned expression, eyes widened Him suddenly calling her name made her feel weak, and her emotions felt like they were about to burst open...

"You idiot Queen! Why did you follow me all the way here!? You should have spent your time with your people!" He yelled while standing up, his right index finger pointing to the former Queen with his usual comical hyperactive demeanor, the gesture itself reminding Sara of how her beloved knucklehead usually acted during the time they spent together in the past…

"…!" The Suna siblings got surprised as they heard the sudden yell from Naruto. Hinata, on the other hand, gave an anxious reaction due to the sudden outburst from her fiancée.

"You… you remembered me…?" Sara muttered, her eyes now once again starting to be filled with tears, but this time, not of sadness, but of happiness.

"Of course! My old man might have sealed my memories from back then. But I can now clearly remember you, Sara!" Naruto yelled once again towards her. "I'll ask you again, why did you follow me all the way… here…?!"

And before Naruto could finish his statement, Sara tackled him in an affectionate, tight hug. She then buried her face into Naruto's chest, then released her long-kept emotions within her as she began crying like a lost child who just found her missing parent.

Naruto then looked towards Hinata, as if afraid of what Hinata's reaction might be due to the sudden affection that she was receiving from another woman. But Hinata simply shook her head, then smiled towards him, with a silent 'It's fine.' lip movement.

Naruto then simply placed both his hands on the crying girl's shoulder, then gave her a small smile of reassurance… the very same smile that changed her as a person as she is right now…