Summary: Sasuke, a rock star, meets one of his fans as they were about to buy the same and last copy of a certain CD. Who says they can't fall in love since this is just one world after all. Completely AU. Mainly SasuSaku.

Pairings: SasuSaku, NaruHina, NejiTenten, ItachiNoOne, AnkoKaka

Disclaimer: I don't own Naruto and if I did, I would probably promote the pairings up there.

Just One World After All

Chapter Ten – They Think

Sakura yawned sleepily as she walked downstairs to prepare her breakfast. Hinata had already left because she wanted to be there –really- early. Apparently, Naruto was going to visit her there before the hours started, and before he was deemed –late- by his band mates and have breakfast there. At least, that's what Sakura –remembered-. She just knew Hinata was going to be there early to be able to let Naruto in. It was about seven in the morning, the first branch about fifteen minutes away from their apartment. Rubbing the tiredness away from her eyes, she walked over to the mail bin inside their room; it was delivered there every morning, seeing as each apartment had one. Picking out the thick wad of envelopes, she made her way to the couch and plopped herself down on it.

"Phone bill. Electrical bill. Water bill. Gas bill. Internet bill. Junk. Junk. Junk," mumbled Sakura as she sorted out the letters. How she –hated- to sort out the letters, especially when the bills were there! There were so many –bills- and –junk- that they got on a single day –every month-. Carefully setting them apart, she eyed the two piles of letters in front of her. There were about six bills in all, seven thick envelopes of junk mail. Glancing towards the last two letters in her hand, she read out to whom they were addressed to. "Bah. Junk," she muttered as she put it on the pile with seven, now eight, thick envelopes. Eyeing the last one, she froze. A familiar seal was affixed on the envelope. It was a letter that came from the school she was applying for, the one she preferred to get into! Nervously, she opened it. As she read its contents, a happy grin appeared on her face. She was –accepted-! She was accepted into Le Cordon Bleu and she would stay in Paris for three years to finish her training! One year each for Basic, Intermediate, and Superior Patisserie! Dropping her letter on top of the table, she ran to make a phone call, telling Sasuke, her boyfriend, to meet her at the Blossoms she now worked in.

Dear Miss Haruno,

Félicitations! You have been accepted into Le Cordon Bleu, Paris, France! Your school year starts January 5 of next year. We hope you can make it in time. All arrangements for living quarters and your monthly stipend have been fixed. We are pleased to our new addition in Le Cordon Bleu. Au revoir and see you next year!

Le Cordon Bleu

-------------------------------------------------------------------------------- At Blossoms near Chakra Records

It had been a month since the incident. Somehow, Neji, Itachi, and Naruto found out. Sasuke got extremely angry at Neji for reminding him about what happened, as if he didn't think about it enough. His older brother was teasing him. Naruto would have mocked him but Sasuke found out something and used it to blackmail Naruto. He had asked Hinata to be his girlfriend! Sasuke was currently drinking coffee in the nearer Blossoms branch. Because he was Uchiha Sasuke, the renovation of the basically set up structure sped up and Sakura was able to move in, along with Miyabi, Sai, and Arisa.

"What's so special that you had to wake me up at –seven- in the morning?" asked Sasuke tiredly as Sakura sat down in front of him. The pink haired woman just laughed and told him to finish his coffee before she told him. He might choke at the news. Sasuke raised his eyebrow warily as he lifted the mug to his mouth, savoring the scent of the caffeine in his nose. He –liked- coffee, one of the few things that he actually did. Neji even said that there was this one time that Sasuke got –addicted- to coffee that it was the only thing he'd drink. After a while, he started drinking other stuff. It was probably too bitter or just too the same for him to continue drinking coffee day in and day out. Sasuke probably chose not to remember it, that's why he forgot all about it. Soon enough, he drained the mug of its contents. Wiping his mouth the back of his hand, he set the mug down and faced Sakura.

"Sasuke-kun!" she reprimanded as she took out a piece of cloth. Nearing his face, she wiped his mouth with it, as the back of his hand. "You're not supposed to do that!" she muttered as she cleaned Sasuke's face of any remaining drops of coffee that might have escaped the wrath of the white cloth. Sasuke shrugged as he let Sakura continue what she was doing. "Well, anyway," she said as she set the rumpled white cloth down on the table. "Remember that you told me I should give a shot at taking the exam?" Sasuke nodded at this. "Well, I did take a couple of tests and I passed the one I wanted to get into!" Sakura was all smiles at this. Sasuke nodded slowly, still not exactly understanding the point. "And... err... I've decided that I want to go to Paris," she said softly, her green eyes not meeting his onyx ones. Sasuke blinked, taking the last sentence she said in.

"You... want to go to Paris?" he asked, confirming if what he heard was right. Sakura nodded slowly. She knew it was a risk, especially since they were only together for a –month- but he'd understand... right? He was the one who told her to give it a shot. Then again, they weren't exactly this close when he said that. Eyeing her, thoughts whirled about in Sasuke's head. Would it be alright for her to go? Could he take a break for at least two weeks, every three months, to visit her in Paris? Would he even –want- her to go to Paris? "Your call..." he choked out. Damn, he didn't –want- her to go but who was he to deny her of what she wanted? Sakura looked up at him, her green eyes shiny with tears welling up.

"Thank you!" she said as she hugged him tightly. Sasuke blinked at this awkward moment. Shrugging internally, he found enough strength to wriggle his arms out of her hold and hug her in return. Burying his face in her hair, he took in the vanilla scent of her hair. Closing his eyes, he pulled her closer to his body. They stayed like that, not wanting to leave each other's contact but they hesitantly pulled apart from each other, moments later. "Would you like to have some breakfast?" Sakura asked as she stood up, a slight red tinge on her face. Sasuke nodded slowly as Sakura scuttled to get him a slice of cake and some more coffee.

A numb feeling was coursing through his body. Was he really okay with letting Sakura go to Paris? Well, it was what she wanted. He'd let her, of course, but would he let himself live with it? Sakura's smiling face was on his mind, her soft apologetic tone in his ears. He could always call her, to hear her voice, and he could always go to Paris, whether they would allow him or not, to visit her. But was he willing to let her go? Of course he was, he just needed to adjust to that fact. Sakura returned with a slice of cake in her hands, his mug of coffee in the other. Setting them down in front of him, she ushered him to eat. He needed it, he definitely did.

"Listen, can we spend these last two months... -together-?" he asked quietly as he cut a piece of the cake with his fork. Sakura blinked and nodded slowly. "Okay. I'm not going to practice today then." Sakura's eyes widened. He wanted to spend time with her, every waking moment, while she was still in Japan. "When you're in Paris, settled down already, give me a call, okay?" he said as he sipped his coffee, his onyx eyes never meeting her gaze. Sakura broke down.

"Idiot," she mumbled as tears began streaming down her face, using the back of her hand to wipe away the salty liquid trailing down her face, "I'm not leaving yet!" She just broke down, sobbing as Sasuke cradled her. He mumbled apologies as Sakura continued crying. She was going to miss her friends. She was going to miss her family. She was going to miss her home. She was going to miss her country. She was going to miss –him-. "I love you," she mumbled incoherently, her body still wracking with her sobs. Sasuke blinked as he heard what she had said. Since a month ago, she never did say 'I love you.' to him but deep down, he knew that she did. Right now, he had heard her say it and she meant each of the three words that she said. Resting his chin on her head, he hugged her tighter.

"And I love you."

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- One Month Later

"Sasuke-kun, hurry!" called out Sakura, a happy look on her face. She was leaving right after Christmas. He was going with her to help her settle down, leaving for Japan the day after she started her classes. Speeding up his pace, Sasuke walked after Sakura. He was helping her look for clothes to bring to Paris. He actually insisted on doing that. He had to insist on paying for the clothes she was buying. He wasn't allowing her to get the brands that she normally bought. He was buying her –expensive- clothing just to satisfy –him-. She needed all sorts of clothing, summer, winter clothing, heck, a lot. He wasn't allowing her to get the cheaper brands when he could buy the more expensive ones for her. "Oh! That red jacket looks nice but..." she trailed off at the end, the minute she saw the price.

"Get it, I don't mind." Sakura looked at him curiously. He was spending –a lot- for her. She convinced him to let her buy at least a pair of jeans for herself, not wanting him to spend more money than she already did. "Fine." Sasuke walked into the store and asked for a medium of the red jacket she was looking at. Sakura's eyes widened as she ran into the store, a look of surprise on her eyes. "I told you, I don't mind."

"But I do!"

"Fine, that's the last piece we're buying for today. Let's just drop off the stuff in the car and we'll go have lunch, okay?" Sakura nodded slowly, a doubting look on her face. Knowing Sasuke, he'd buy her one more thing before they left. Picking up a silver barrette studded with fake ruby crystals with thin red leather cords of varying lengths stuck to it, he pinned it to Sakura's hair. "I think that looks nice," he said softly as he pulled away from her, a red tinge on Sakura's face. Facing a nearby mirror, she eyed the barrette critically. It –did- look nice but she didn't want Sasuke to pay for it. As she removed the barrette and put it back in its place, the store keeper came back with the jacket. Taking the barrette, he put it on top of the jacket and told the store keeper that he'd pay already.

"Sasuke-kun!" she reprimanded as she tugged on his arm.

"Sorry but it looked nice on you."

"Mou!" she said in defeat. Looking back at the barrette, a small grin crept up her face. "Yeah, it did, didn't it?" Following Sasuke, she watched him pay for the jacket and the barrette. "Where do you want to have lunch?" she asked curiously as she watched him sign his signature on the piece of paper.

"You'll see."

---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Golden Phoenix

"You could have just –told- me, you know," said Sakura as they sat down. Mei was serving them again this time. Sasuke shrugged as he looked at the menu. He had forgotten what he ordered that first time they ate here. "Mushroom Congee and Fried Wan Tons," supplied Sakura, as if reading his mind. Sasuke shrugged as he continued looking at the menu. He wanted to try something different but what, exactly, he didn't know. Scrunching his nose a bit, he saw a particular item on the menu. He didn't –like- it that much but his –brother- liked it. Taro puffs. Grunting, he averted his gaze to some other part of the menu which wouldn't remind him of his brother.

All was quiet for the past five or ten minutes while they decided on what they wanted to eat. Occasionally, Sakura let out a sigh as she drummed her fingers on the table, waiting for Sasuke to decide. He sure was a picky eater. She was getting the same thing she ordered the last time they were here together, Yang Chow Friend Rice and Lemon Chicken. Sasuke's brow furrowed as he scoured through the menu one last time. It –was- hard to decide, Sakura couldn't blame him for the difficulty he had in choosing his own food. Soon enough, he relaxed and set down the menu, signaling he was done choosing his lunch. Sakura called Mei over to take their order. They already had their drinks ready. Sakura had a fizzing glass of Sprite, Sasuke had Cali 10, the pineapple flavored fizz this time.

"I want Yang Chow Fried Rice and Lemon Chicken." Sakura glanced towards Sasuke as she waited to hear his order. She hoped that all that time wasn't spent that in the end, he'd just order the same thing. That was annoying. Her cousins loved to do that to her when she was small so Sakura grew up, learning how to make –quick- decisions in everything. Though she was slightly thankful for that, it was still annoying if anyone stared at anything for so long, only to go back to their original decision. People in Blossoms had a hard time choosing because everything was good. Sakura was at least good natured about that.

"I want Yang Chow Friend Rice and Sweet and Sour Pork." Sakura sighed. At least Sasuke took all that time to order something –different. Mei nodded as she scribbled down their orders, excusing herself in the process. "I don't take all that time to order the same thing you know," said Sasuke flatly as he drank some of his Cali. Sakura laughed and said she knew he didn't. It just took him so long to decide, that's what was funny, and time consuming obviously. "As if you don't take so long to decide," muttered Sasuke as he rolled his eyes. Sakura pouted at his comment.

------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- December 26

Sakura shifted uncomfortable on the couch seat. Hinata's eyes, which were usually pearl colored and happy were now slightly bloodshot. Hers were too. They had been crying last night because Sakura was going to leave today. She was just waiting for Sasuke to pick her up. They were going to leave for Paris that day. Hinata would have gone with them, to see them off, but there was work to be done today. Nakuru was going to head the branch Sakura manned, along with Ryuki and Sae. Miyabi, Sai, and Arisa were working with Hinata. That would be the arrangement for the next three years, Hinata and Sakura trusting Nakuru more because she was there longer than Miyabi had. The other chef paid no mind though. For her, it didn't matter which branch she worked in, as long as she was still part of the Blossoms crew.

"Sakura-chan, write to me everyday, okay?" pleaded Hinata as she hugged her best friend, tears threatening to fall once more. Sakura nodded as she hugged her in return. It would be so different, living in an apartment all alone, in a country so far away from home. At least, she could speak French enough to survive the classes. "I'm going to miss you! Send me an email, once you get there. Call me, no matter what time it is there or here!" she mumbled as she rubbed her eyes with the back of her hand. They still stung from crying. Suddenly, the doorbell rang. "That's probably Sasuke-san," said Hinata with a weak smile. "I'll get it. You go fix up your things," she said as she stood up, walking towards the door. Sakura nodded numbly.

"Hey, Hinata," said Sasuke as he looked at the white eyed girl, "Where's Sakura?" Hinata pointed behind her as the pink haired woman walked towards the door, pulling her suitcase behind her.

"Take care of her for me, while you're still there, okay, Sasuke-san?" requested Hinata as she watched Sasuke take Sakura's suitcase. Sasuke nodded.

------------------------------------------------------------- At the Airport, a Couple of Minutes before Boarding

Sakura fidgeted in her seat as she waited for the passengers to start boarding. They were riding in First Class, of course, Sasuke chose the tickets. It was the first time she was going out of the country, in a place where hardly anyone spoke Japanese. At least, she was confident in her French skills. Glancing about, she looked for Sasuke. He had gone to buy a couple of bottles of water for the trip. Her throat was dry as she continued looking about for Sasuke. Soon enough, she spied a familiar figure with raven hair. Her body relaxed as he came into view.

"You nervous?" Sasuke asked as he slumped down beside her, handing her the cold bottle of water. Sakura nodded as she twisted the cap off of the plastic bottle and drank some of the water. "Hey, don't finish that," mumbled Sasuke as he slunk even further on his seat, "It took me ten minutes to buy the damn thing." Sakura giggled softly as she capped the bottle once more. She leaned her head on Sasuke's shoulder, snuggling closer to him. "Heh," he mumbled as he sat up straight, draping his left arm around her smaller frame. Suddenly, a loud voice boomed, telling all First Class passengers to board the plane. Sasuke stood up, as did Sakura, as soon as they heard this. "Ready?" he asked as he pocketed his hands, facing her. Sakura nodded slowly as she walked behind him, closer and closer to her new life for the next three years.

-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- To Be Continued...

Well, okay, it's the tenth chapter! This is the second to the last chapter, of the actual story itself. Chapter Eleven (dun dun dun dun!) is the end. Chapter Twelve is the epilogue.

Thanks so much for sticking by with me for the past chapters, through the thick and thin of the story, and through my bouts of writer's block. I'm appreciative of you guys reading my story. I didn't expect it to reach over 150 reviews. Indeed, I thought I'd just get like, forty-five or something after the end of it all. Thanks!

As this fic will end in two chapters, I suggest you guys read Balance, my Drama/Romance fic, centering around Team Seven and their journey from Genin to Chuunin, from Chuunin to Jounin and maybe, more. You'll just have to see. Also, read Shattered Memories, a fic sort of in line with the basic character information of Balance but it's a Romance/Drama fic. Here's the information of Shattered Memories. For Balance, refer to Chapter Nine or read the actual thing.

Summary: When everything is forgotten, everything is never right anymore. When the wounds start to heal, everything seems to fall into place. With someone you love forgetting whom you are, it hurts. It hurts a lot. Semi-AU. Mainly SasuSaku.

Pairings: Mainly Sasuke/Sakura with others

Here's the chapter preview, as always!

Next Chapter: Chapter Eleven – They Intertwine

Chapter Preview: Sakura sighed as she ran a hand through her pink hair. She had just turned twenty-six a couple of days ago and she was still in Paris. She should have returned in January but she couldn't. Not yet. There was something she needed to do. When she called Sasuke, who was still her boyfriend, happily, even after three years, about delaying her return to Japan, he was slightly infuriated. He calmed down though, after she said she would return this year. When, exactly, she didn't know. She just had to do one last thing before she left Paris, France and returned to the life she loved in Kyoto and returned to the love of her life who had been waiting patiently for her, all those years.