Just One World after All

by Nadyell

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. Epilogue is Up!

11. They Intertwine

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 Eleven – They Intertwine

"Tadaima," mumbled Sasuke incoherently as he dropped his steely attitude, the minute he was in the confines of his room. It had been three years since she left, a week or so more actually. He was in no mood to talk; he never was to anyone except –her-. He'd call, every Saturday, she'd call every Sunday; it was their routine. During the weekdays, they'd send email to each other and occasionally Sakura would send pictures of her in Paris. He printed one out and put it in a frame, standing on his desk, surrounded by a vase filled with cherry blossoms, her namesake. Glancing at the lock, it read 10:30 pm. Every night, he'd go home late and wake up early the next day. He was depriving himself of much needed sleep but he didn't care. It was too dark a world to care without her around. 'Sakura...'

Sitting down on his bed, he fell backward, his head landing with a muffled thud on his pillows. His hands were seen, at times, near his temples, rubbing the throbbing pain that seemed to be forever there. The only time the incoming headache wasn't there was when he was doing anything related to her or when he was in Paris, visiting her. Groaning in agitation, Sasuke sat up and trudged his way to the computer. Maybe, she was already able to send an email. Maybe, there were a couple of attachments this time. The cold bitter winds of winter just seemed even colder than usual without her around. His brother was indifferent to Sasuke's more passive attitude. Naruto and Hinata tried to cheer him up, every now and then. Neji would utter a good word or two, but not a lot. Most of the time, he was drinking coffee in the table that he and Sakura would always sit down in, in the branch she manned. Nakuru was doing pretty well there.

Sasuke logged on, clicking the Outlook icon and waited for the program to download any mail that had been sent to him. Drumming the fingers on his left hand idly on the wooden surface of his computer table, he waited. Glancing at the corner clock, the seconds seemed to pass by so slowly. It was 10:30 while he was staring at the small corner of the LCD screen. As he continued to stare, the numbers seemed to blur together then go back into place. Closing his eyes, he focused his attention on the figures one, zero, colon, three, zero, p and m. Opening his eyes, he looked at the tiny section once more. He scowled. The computer had been fooling with him. It wasn't 10:30 pm anymore; it was 10:31 pm. Sasuke gripped the mouse tighter, annoyed at the digital clock before him. Suddenly, he heard a familiar pinging sound. Gazing at the program itself, it said that he had seven messages. Opening them, he looked close.

'Mail from Kakashi. Mail from the dobe. Junk mail... delete. Junk mail... delete again. Chain letter from the dobe... delete. Chain letter from Anko—how'd she get my email?!... Delete!!! Mail from... Sakura!'

Sasuke double clicked the message, opening it. It took a while for the digital letter to load, there being attachments and the letters Sakura sent him were long, very long. How she managed to write those letters, study, and have fun at the same time, it never occurred to him. What mattered was the fact that she sent him a letter and, perhaps, a couple of pictures with her and her friend. The name escaped him; he didn't particularly care about her. Sakura had told him once that she listened to all of the Sharingan albums, including the new ones Sasuke gave her when he visited Paris, even though she didn't understand the Japanese words blasting through the speakers. Soon enough, it opened. A faint look of warmth spread on his eyes as he read the letter.

Dear Sasuke-kun,

Hey! How has life been for you so far? I have a few more days until my finals are coming and I have to prepare! I really have to! Mademoiselle has always been proud of my works and she is expecting another great pastry from me! I've been planning to make the Hazelnut Cream Cake. I've never made it before and it surprises me why I haven't. It's simple but it's a really delicious cake, don't you agree? Of course you would, it's your favorite. I'll bake you one the minute I arrive back in Kyoto! I'm missing it so much!

Remember that barrette and the red jacket that you bought me? The one I wanted but didn't want you to pay for but you went ahead and did so anyway? Well, I've been feeling homesick lately so I've been wearing it everyday! Well, I wash the jacket over the weekend, using the black one you bought for me instead. Marisse says I'm not homesick, I'm just... "Sasuke-sick" she says to me often. Mou! She's so mean to me!!! Well, what can I say? It reminds me of Kyoto and, well, you.

Sasuke allowed a tiny smile to appear on his face. It disappeared when he read further.

Marisse and I were able to go to the Louvre Museum! It was absolutely gorgeous inside! I would have taken pictures for you but, the camera wasn't allowed. Maybe, next time, if we go to Paris together (since you won't go there anymore alone because I'm going back to Kyoto!!!), we could visit the Louvre? Isn't it a nice idea?

I was finally able to convince Mademoiselle to take a picture with me! I attached it so you could see. She's such a kindly mother-figure! She helped me adjust the minute I set foot in her kitchen. I hope that she can, one day, visit Kyoto! She says that if and when she does, she should get to know you! She keeps saying I'm lucky I get pampered by my boyfriend! Marisse agrees with Mademoiselle wholeheartedly. Mou! I'm not that spoiled by you... am I?

Anyway, take a look at the pictures, Sasuke-kun! I'll be coming back soon! I love you, Sasuke-kun! You know that as much as I do, don't you?

Love,

Sakura Ü Ü

Sasuke double-clicked the picture and waited for it to load. Soon enough, it did. An invisible smile plastered itself on Sasuke's lips. It was Sakura wearing her Le Cordon Bleu uniform, a wide grin on her face. She was waving at the camera. The pale blonde haired woman beside her did look motherly, about fifty or so years old, a ladylike smile on her face. It was Sakura's instructor she just called, though fondly, Mademoiselle. Clicking reply, Sasuke began typing out his response.

Dear Sakura,

It's nice to know that you've been doing well. I hope that you write soon. Right now, it's late, 10:37 pm according to my computer's clock. I'd write longer but I'm tired right now, I hope you understand (of course you do). Anyway, I know I'll see you soon. The weight on my shoulders feels so much lighter with each passing day. I love you too.

Sasuke... Fine, I know you're glaring at me for not adding this. You know I can't but just because it's you...

Love,

Sasuke-kun

---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Months Later, in Paris

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.

"Why are you staring like that, Sakura?" asked a blonde Frenchwoman who looked to be a little bit older than her. She had turned twenty-seven in January. The pink haired woman turned around to face her. It was Marisse Leroux, her good friend and fellow classmate under Mademoiselle. "Did you really want to go home already?" Sakura shrugged as she looked out the window again. "Sakura, tell me!" The French words rolled effortlessly from Marisse's tongue. Sakura didn't reply. Marisse frowned. "Is it about what he said? If he really loved you, he would understand."

"He does!" snapped Sakura as she faced the blonde woman behind her. Surprise appeared on her crystal blue eyes. "Sorry, Marisse, I guess I can't help but feel a bit guilty for making him wait. It was already hard enough for him to accept that I was going in the first place." Marisse nodded, accepting her apology. Putting her hand on Sakura's shoulder, she squeezed it slightly, telling her it was alright. "I don't know, I want to go home but I can't. There's just something missing. I can't go home until I find out what it is!" Marisse let go of her grip of Sakura as she let her hand swing by her side. "I want Sasuke-kun to have something special, something that will let him know the wait wasn't all that bad, besides the fact that I'm going home." Marisse looked at her in curiosity. Sakura had said the last statement in Japanese.

"Sakura, I really think you should go home already. Lately, you've been slipping into Japanese and people have been giving you weird looks." Sakura shrugged as she ran a hand through her pink hair.

"So people think of me as weird if I don't speak French? I don't care. I'll speak in Japanese all day and watch them try and understand me! I miss Kyoto but I can't go home! It's driving me insane!"

Marisse furrowed her brow as she slumped down on Sakura's bed. Sakura was becoming very edgy lately. She didn't know how it was to be out of the country, make a loved one wait for so long and tell that loved one the trip home would be delayed. She had been out of the country but not to study, just a trip, but she'd go back home, on the day she had planned to. At times, they plane trip was early or delayed but what time the aircraft was able to land was beyond her control. Her family and friends understood that. Besides, the loved ones she made to wait were ones who knew her all her life. Sakura was making her significant wait for her for more than he'd like.

"Sakura, I think you need a break. Care to go shopping with me?" invited the twenty-seven year old woman as she stood up, running a hand through her sleek and straight blonde hair that reached to just below her shoulder blades, the various layers of sunny yellow colored hair overlapping each other. Sakura turned around and raised an eyebrow. "What?!" said Marisse defensively as she crossed her arms, "You do look like you need it. And I do want to get a new pair of jeans." Silence reigned the room as Sakura's jade eyes looked at Marisse's crystal blue ones. Soon enough, the tense air broke as Sakura nodded. "Great! You go get your bag then and let's go, shall we?"

'Thanks Marisse. I think I already know what I want to give Sasuke-kun!'

-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Paris Airport, July

Marisse had been crying all night, her eyes were bloodshot. Sakura was leaving today, she was leaving for Japan! They would probably never see each other again but Marisse insisted on seeing her off. She felt it was her duty to see her off. Sakura's suitcase was already in the aircraft. All she was carrying was her slightly large messenger bag. In it was the gift she decided to give Sasuke. Marisse loved it, telling her it was something her boyfriend would enjoy. Ever since she bought it four months ago, the pink haired woman kept working on it earnestly, eager to finish it before she left. She decided that she would go back to Japan on Sasuke's birthday; it was her birthday gift to him, arriving on his birthday.

"Sakura, I want you to have this. Even though we've only known each other for three and a half years, I still think you're my best friend. It comes from Mademoiselle and I," Marisse handed her a rectangular shaped package that was wrapped in a glossy white paper with soft pink swirls stamped in a haphazard manner. Even so, it looked pretty. Carefully, she removed the wrapper from the package. Inside was a regular pale pink hard bound notebook. Turning it over, she looked for other things that might be on the notebook. Nothing. Opening it, her lips curved into a smile. It was a note from Mademoiselle and Marisse.

Sakura,

Il était être merveilleux votre professeur (et ami !) pendant les trois dernières années. Nous nous sommes complètement amusés, goûtant les gâteaux et les pâtisseries que vous avez faites avec un contact d'innovation japonaise. Nous espérons que vous trouvez ces recettes utiles. Nous les compilant pendant des mois, vous savons ?

Amour, Mademoiselle et Marisse

((Sakura,

It was wonderful being your teacher (and friend!) for the past three years. We thoroughly enjoyed ourselves, tasting the cakes and pastries you made with a touch of Japanese innovation. We hope you find these recipes useful. We compiling them for months, you know?

Love,

Mademoiselle and Marisse))

"Marisse... I... I don't know what to say," choked out Sakura as she hugged her friend.

"Don't, then. Just promise me you'll keep in touch! I wrote my email at the end of the table of contents," said Marisse, her voice cracking, as she hugged the pink haired woman in return. Mademoiselle would have gone along but she had a class that day. She couldn't afford to cancel it. It was a shame but at least, she was able to say a proper goodbye. "I hope your Sasuke-kun," began Marisse as they pulled apart, awkwardly adding the Japanese honorific that Sakura always used, "will love your gift." Sakura smiled faintly as she put the notebook in her bag.

"He will, Marisse. I know he will." Suddenly, the voice blared over the speakers for the passengers of first class to start boarding. "He didn't have to pay for the ticket. It's a birthday gift, after all." Marisse laughed as she accompanied her friend to the boarding area. "Marisse, I'll email you as soon as I can, okay?" The blonde haired woman nodded, hugging her friend for the last time for a long time, a very long time.

------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Kyoto, Japan

There are times when I just want to look at your face
With the stars in the night
There are times when I just want to feel your embrace
In the cold night
I just can't believe that you are mine now

It was already night when Sakura arrived. Her eyes were getting heavy, threatening to close. Rain was pouring heavily and the annoying rhythmic pitter-patter of the water outside was drumming loudly. As she looked at the clock in the taxi, it read 10:30 pm. He would still be awake, that was good. A small smile crept up her face as she slunk down even further into the chair. She felt really bad, making him wait half a year. Clutching her gift for him tightly in her hands, she thought about his reaction. He knew that she was coming home but when, he didn't know. All he did was to send her money for a first class ticket, for whenever she'd come back home. His replies to her emails were longer since he found out and they spent more time talking on the phone, who could blame him? Anyway, at least she was home now.

"Where are you headed again, missy?" asked the taxi driving as he looked at her from the mirror.

"Uchiha Mansion," squeaked Sakura.

You were just a dream that I once knew
I never thought I would be right for you
I just can't compare you with anything in this world
You're all I need to be with forevermore

"Ah. It's the place of two of the members of Sharingan the band, right? I have a kid daughter, 'round fifteen or something, who loves them. You're lucky you get to visit." Sakura smiled faintly as she nodded. Yeah, she was lucky. She got to visit the Uchiha Mansion, the Hyuuga Mansion, though only if Sasuke was going there and bringing her along, and she got to see Naruto whenever he picked up Hinata for a date or decided to swing by. "So, where were you able to get access to visit their house, missy?" Sakura blinked as she tried to answer that question. In all honesty, since three and a half years ago, she was always able to visit them but she and Sasuke rarely went out of their way to go there.

"Err... I know the band members and their manager."

All those years I've longed to hold you in my arms
I've been dreaming of you
Every night I've been watching all the stars that fall down
Wishing you will be mine now
I just can't believe that you are mine now

"Lucky you. My daughter would kill to be able to get there. She's obsessed. She has all seven albums already."

"I do too." Sakura mumbled that faintly as she leaned back, closing her eyes.

Sakura yawned as she watched the water splatter on the window. It had been thirty minutes and they were still on the road. It was heavy traffic, for as far as she could see. Glancing at the clock nervously, she hoped that it wouldn't be past twelve when they arrived. It was July 24 today; she had to arrive on July 24! It was his birthday and she intended to surprise him on this day. Sighing, she looked at the package in front of her. It took a lot of effort to make it and knowing Sasuke, he would love it and keep it in a place where he could see it everyday.

"Sasuke-kun..." she mumbled incoherently as she unconsciously hugged the gift close to her body.

You were just a dream that I once knew
I never thought I would be right for you
I just can't compare you with anything in this world
You're all I need to be with forevermore

Sakura sat up straight, an eager look on her face. They were in Kyoto, and in her district! Traffic was still mildly heavy but from here, she could get to the Uchiha Mansion in about twenty minutes! She would be there ten minutes before it was officially July 25. She would be that at 11:50 pm, of July 24, no matter what it took! If she had to get down from the taxi, instructing the driver to just drop off her stuff at the Uchiha Mansion, after she paid, she would do so! It was important, extremely important, for her to give the gift before July 25 and see the look on Sasuke's face.

"Sasuke-kun, I'm home, nearly home," she said softly as she tucked a stray tress of her pink hair. The driver looked at her, a soft expression on his face. He had seen this nearly every time he brought someone home from the airport. It gave him a warm, fuzzy feeling to be able to see a family reunite or something. He valued family a lot, especially since his wife had died, letting their daughter, Keiko, live. She was given the choice if she wanted her life or the life of her child. She chose Keiko just because she had never seen the world yet. He was both happy and sad at that time. He was sad because his wife died, but, happy because Keiko was alive, a near living replica of her mother.

Time and again there are these changes
That we cannot end
As sure as time keeps going on and on
My love for you will be forevermore

I just can't believe that you are mine now

"Arigatou, Fujimori-san! Thank you for helping me get to my destination on time!" Sakura bowed lowly, a smile on her face.

"It's no big deal. I've seen a lot of people like you and the fact that you're so young, made me want to help you even more." Waving goodbye, he entered his taxi once more and began moving, looking for other passengers. Sakura, in the meantime, turned around to face the doorbell. Ringing it, she waited for someone to answer the door. A few moments passed before the door eventually opened. She saw crimson.

"Itachi-san!"

"Hello, Sakura. What a surprise, landing and coming here on my brother's birthday. You're such a romantic." Sakura fidgeted under his gaze. "Well, come in. I don't want to be mutilated to death by my brother for getting you sick." Itachi had dragged her suitcase inside.

"A—Arigatou gozaimasou."

You were just a dream that I once knew
I never thought I would be right for you
I just can't compare you with anything in this world

"Sasuke, someone's here to see you," shouted Itachi from the bottom of the steps. Sasuke let out a muffled and agitated reply. "You can't blame him. It has been seven months since you were supposed to come back." Sakura flinched; annoyed that he had to say that. "Don't worry, I don't think he'll be particularly mad at you."

"You like tormenting Sasuke-kun, don't you, Itachi-san?" Itachi had a look of mock surprise on his face.

"Whatever made you say that, dear Sakura?"

"Just... the way you act towards Sasuke-kun is enough bases for me to say that." They heard heavy footsteps just as Sakura replied.

"I'll leave you now. Good luck, Sakura." With that, Itachi wheeled around and disappeared into the darkness of the dimly lit house.

"Sakura...!" said Sasuke, choking on his words, as he realized who was visiting him.

"Sasuke-kun..." Sakura fidgeted.

As endless as forever
Our love will stay together
You are all I need to be with forevermore

"I've missed you so much!" Sakura was crying as she clung to Sasuke, hugging him as tightly as she could. Sasuke nodded slowly as he sat down on the steps of the stairs. The extended wait had been worth it. He got to see her, and on his birthday. "I hope you're not mad," she mumbled, her voice, hoarse, her eyes, bloodshot. Sasuke shook his head.

"I was, at the beginning but it is your life." Sakura managed a small smile.

"I have something for you." Sakura stood up straight, rubbing her tears away with the back of her hand. Handing it to him, she had a small smile on her face. Sasuke removed the paper wrapping slowly, careful not to tear it. As soon as he opened it, a small black notebook was in it. "It's a filled notebook, every single page, back to back, as to why I love you." A visible red tinge was on her face. It wasn't because she was crying; it was because she was sort of embarrassed.

"Ah." Sasuke opened the notebook and leafed through it. Sakura was right. It was filled to the brim, absolutely no space was left. "You didn't have to stay in Paris just to do this."

"But I wanted to! It was a good way to say—" Sakura wasn't able to finish her sentence. Sasuke stopped her. He just pulled her close and captured her in a kiss, a sweet kiss, telling her how much he meant to her. Even if they were separated for so long, it wasn't impossible for them to stay together. Every day, they grew closer in their hearts, even if the physical separation was still the same. Love was inevitable for the two of them. It is, and always will be, just one world after all.

As endless as forever(forever)
Our love will stay together(together)
You are all I need to be with forevermore

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

I'm so sad!!! Just One World After All has come to a close! Well, it was bound to happen. I thank all the reviewers, especially MindLezz and Mourning Fox! I got to talk to them and it made it easier to write the following chapters because talking to reviewers, especially fellow authors who write fics that I myself read, makes it easier. The French here, isn't exactly as accurate as I'd like but you'll get it... I hope...

The song I used is Forevermore by Side A. It's not a song by any international artist. It's actually local here. I'm a Filipino and I indirectly promoted their song! It's an OPM song or Original Pilipino Music. It's a ballad and it was suitable for this chapter. It was also suitable for Chapter Nine but I used it here, either way, it's still nice.

I do hope you guys get to read Balance and Conspiracy of the Heart and Soul when the latter is up. Balance is the higher-priority one because I'm just BURSTING with ideas. Even if chapter two has yet to be posted, I already finished writing it and I'm bursting with ideas for chapter three itself! I hope you guys get to read it. Even if I weren't the author, it's a good read, a very good one.

This is the last time you'll see it here but anyway, here's the next and last chapter preview, as I've been doing since Chapter One up till the end.

Next Chapter: Epilogue – They Love

Chapter Preview: Jade green eyes brightened as they watched what was before her. She was thirty, four years since she came back from Paris. Sasuke was also thirty and they got married, a month after she arrived from Paris, much to her surprise. It wasn't bad but, it was just sudden. She didn't care though. She was spending the rest of her life with him. Glancing towards the kitchen, she watched the people inside. Sasuke was struggling to finish baking, he wanted to do that just because it was a special day today, and they were busy bothering him. A small grin was on her face. It was happy site, especially within their home. Glancing at the picture in front of her, she smiled. It read 'Thank you for coming to our wedding! Uchiha Sasuke and Sakura' Yeah, that was right. She was no longer Haruno Sakura. She was his wife already, she was Uchiha Sakura.