Itonami: Chapter 14 is now up! Read and be content!

Disclaimer: I do not own any part of Naruto.

Chapter 14

Naruto gazed around the desert terrain then at his team. "Are we all ready to go?"

"Naruto, you forgot this." The Kazekage said, his deep voice quiet and mellow. He tossed a loose string-tie bag to the blonde jounin captain. "Take it to the Hokage. Our official peace offering and our alliance contract."

"Thanks, Gaara." He grinned at the sandy, red-haired man. He waved to a little girl behind Gaara's leg. "I'll see you later, love." He winked, making the girl blush. She tugged on her father's cloak.

"Oto-san, is Uzumaki-san going to be back?"

Gaara looked down with his usual expressionless face, but his voice was warm and kind. "Yes, Setsuai, Uzumaki-san will be back." He gazed at the retreating backs of the Konohakagure jounins.

"Oka-san! Oka-san! Oto-san said that Uzumaki-san will be back! Can I play with him when he does?" She asked eagerly to a fair woman who stood beside the doorway.

"Yes, Setsuai." She patted her daughter on the head. "Teishu, Kankuro-niisan would like to bring his wife and children for a dinner tonight."

Gaara turned around from the scene and his light jade eyes twinkled in the sun. He nodded. "Were you hurt anywhere, aisai?"

She smiled at what he called her. "You shouldn't worry so much. So, what about Kankuro-niisan?"

"What about Temari?" He asked, stepping into their house as she gestured him in. Setsuai clung onto his cloak. He never minded when she did that. But today, he opted to carrying her rather than feeling her tug on his clothes all day. Closing the door, the Kazekage prepared to eat dinner with his family.

Now, the twenty year old Haruno Sakura giggled at Naruto, who was tucking away the bag given to him into his pack. He stuck his tongue out at her. "What's so funny?"

"I think it was sweet that you called Gaara's daughter 'love.' She's an adorable child."

The four-man team, consisting of Naruto, Lee, Sakura, and Hinata, was returning to their own village. They were one their way back from their escort mission, which was to bring back the Kazekage's wife, a humble and a pretty young woman who met him when she had been caught in a crossfire of weapons. She was not a ninja, and her life would have ended there, but she was protected by his sand. Without meaning to, she fell in love with him. It was said that the woman was the first to ever love Gaara unconditionally, and he had recognized it as something very great. He married her two and a half years ago. Now he had a sole daughter, whom he named Setsuai, which meant "deep love."

Naruto didn't find it as shocking when he heard about Gaara's marriage. He knew that someday, one would depend on the legendary Sand-nin for love and protection. As Kazekage and as himself, Gaara was able to provide both for his new family. The ANBU captain had actually laughed when the news of the new father had accidentally almost killed Kankuro, his own brother, for venturing too close to his baby girl. It was a few months later that his wife was finally able to persuade the great leader to be a little less protective.

Gaara grudgingly gave and listened.

Naruto walked along the new road that had been paved for easier, safer travel to the Sand village. As they agreed on peace, the Leaf and Sand became very strong allies. They were able to maintain the quiet and calmness that had been sorely missed. The four jounin looked at each other. "Anyone want some water?"

Sakura passed around the bottles of water to everyone, since the Sand region was hot and dry, heavy with dust and, of course, sand. Sparse vegetation grew while Konoha was abundant with greens. They traded with the Hidden Sand for their expert builders to some and build for them. It was a fair deal.

The new road cut directly into the landscape so that it made the shortest passage to and from the villages. A five hour trip each way, it was perfect timing for all of them to get ready for the Hyuuga wedding.

Ah, had you not heard? Hyuuga Neji and Tenten were to be married the next day. It was spring, when the Sakura trees were not yet in bloom. All of them were glad to be going to Tenten and Neji's wedding. Since it was a Hyuuga wedding, it was the traditional Japanese one, without the best man or the bridesmaids. But all attending did not care what kind of wedding it was, they were just glad that the couple was finally getting married.

Lee struck up a pleasant conversation with Sakura as they walked. She would laugh and smile if he said something cutely dumb or funny, but sadly to say, the taijutsu master knew she was putting up a front. It hurt him that she wouldn't be sincere with him, that she didn't feel comfortable with him to be herself. He bit back the urge to ask her out loud. His eyes were uneasy as they flicked back and forth from Sakura and to the ground.

"Sakura-san?"

She smiled warmly, enough to make him feel like his legs were melting. "Hai, Lee-san?"

Lee didn't know what do say. So, not to leave her hanging, he hastily said, "You are coming to Neji's wedding, right?"

Smiling, Sakura nodded. "I wouldn't miss it for the world."

He opened his mouth to say something more, but he snapped it shut, and both of the two jounins ducked. A huge fuuma shuriken flew by, whistling as it went. "Attack?"

"My, my, Konoha jounins are amazingly smart." A cruel voice sneered.

The four of them stood their ground. Hinata's Byakugan activated, looking for anymore of the enemy. Their attacker was solo.

Naruto stepped forward, his aggressive nature clearly evident. "What the hell?"

"Uzumaki Naruto, I have a message for you." A man with a black cloak that was printed with red-lined clouds stood before them. A large straw hat covered his face. He threw a kunai and Naruto caught it with ease. There was a note attached to it. "Take it to the Hokage."

"With pleasure," the blonde replied, smirking, "but I'd like to know what an Akatsuki is doing here."

"Uchiha Itachi is dead. His brother killed him. It was said that a pink haired ANBU was there. She knows." He pointed slowly to Sakura, who could do nothing but glare at that point. "I," the man took off his hat in a sweeping motion, "am the true leader of the Akatsuki: Kamoku Akuma."

Everyone's ears twitched at the name. Silent Devil? The shinobi certainly looked the part. He was thin, with a hollowed face, very angular and sharp. His ears were little sharp at the tip. All in one word, he was ugly.

"What do you want?" Lee asked boldly.

"For now, I only want to deal with the Hokage."

The shinobi disappeared in a billow of red smoke.

Gradually, the smoke cleared, making the road visible again. "Come on, we have to hurry if we want to make it to Konoha in time to get plenty of rest up for the big event tomorrow." Naruto had on his serious face as he carefully guided Hinata around a big puddle of water. Taking her hand firmly in his, he led the way.

The sun continued to set slowly and it lit up the forest in a beautiful array of colors. Sakura breathed in the air as she walked beside Lee. "What do you think of spring, Lee-san?"

He was taken aback by the sudden question. Relaxing, he let out an easy grin. "Well, I think…spring is the most beautiful season out of the four!"

The jounin beside him giggled. "You're just saying that."

He feigned a look of hurt. "No, I mean it! Sakura-san, you know I will never lie!"

She laughed brightly. "Hai, hai, Lee-san. I know."

The next day, Konoha was bustling with excitement. The Hyuuga heir was getting married today! Almost half the village was invited to the formal event and Sakura couldn't wait. Dressed in a pretty, decorative red kimono that complimented her hair and eyes, she walked down the street, towards the Hyuuga estate, where the wedding was taking place. Many were also trekking through the throng of people already, determined to get a good seat.

"Sakura-chan!" A very familiar voice called out. She turned to see a hand waving high above the sea of heads.

"Naruto, over here!" She called back, trying to stand on her tip toes, looking for her blonde friend. Unfortunately, her amazing sense of ninja balance didn't kick in when people brushed past her hurriedly, making her unsteady on the balls of her feet. "Eek!" She gave out a noise of surprise when she toppled over and fell on her bottom.

"Are you alright?"

She grinned up. "Yeah, I'm fine, Naru…" Her smile melted away as she recognized who had spoken to her. "…to…" She finished her sentence quietly.

Uchiha Sasuke looked down at her, his hand extended for her to take. Sakura took it and he pulled her up with ease. Busying herself by trying to brush off the dust off her kimono, she avoided his gaze. Two years had flown by without them speaking a word to each other. She was a medic nin, he was a nin being punished for his betrayal. No chakra, no Sharingan, no weapons, and around-the-clock ANBU guards for three years. It was almost pitiful to see such a powerful shinobi reduced to doing D-rank missions of trying to get cats out of trees.

"Are you alright?" He asked again. His eyes didn't even flicker in recognition at the pretty jounin.

"Yes, I'm fine..."

"Hey, big-forehead girl!" Sakura suppressed the urge to sigh with relief.

"Ino-pig, what are you doing here?" She called out, a fake smile plastered on her face, as she waved.

The platinum blonde haired girl unlatched her arm from Shikamaru's and skipped towards her. "Well, you're dressed up pretty today!" She didn't bother greeting Sasuke. "Come on, we're going to be late! We're Tenten's guests of honor!" Ino grabbed Sakura's arm quite painfully and dragged her away. The medic nin and Sasuke exchanged a nod of good byes and Sakura let herself be dragged away.

"What was he doing?" Ino asked through clenched teeth.

"I fell, and he helped me up." She tried to politely make her way through bodies of many people.

"Sakura-chan! I've been looking all over for you!" Naruto panted, sweat dripping off his forehead. "Tenten asked for you and Ino. I think she said something about calming her nerves."

Ino and Sakura both grinned at each other and rushed off to find Tenten, who was currently in her dressing room, fumbling with long, white obi. Bursting through the door, the two women gasped at the sight before them. The bride-to-be was standing in front of a mirror, auburn hair done in an extravagant traditional style, dressed in a long, flowing kimono.

Clasping her mouth to her hands, Sakura gasped in awe. "Tenten-san, you look so beautiful!"

Tenten smiled shyly and sheepishly. "I don't know how to tie this obi. I've never worn a kimono before…"

In an instant, Ino was working on the obi while Sakura smoothed out the silky material and put delicate makeup on Tenten's face. The elder of the three was breathing a little harder than usual. Her hands were uncharacteristically shaking.

"Nervous?"

Tenten could only nod and swallow. "I've never felt like this before! What if I forget what I'm supposed to do? What if Neji changes his mind and doesn't want to marry me? What am I going to do?" She wailed into her hands, while the two women patted her gently and reassuringly.

"You'll be fine, Tenten-san. As for Neji, if he does decide on such a thing, he has about half the female population to beat him senseless for you."

In only a few hours, the wedding was well underway. Actually, rumors had spread around everywhere in the village that Neji and Tenten had never shared a kiss before. At the wedding, he claimed her mouth for the first time, an action that would earn him the title of the 'most romantic man' in Konoha the next day.

Hyuuga Neji was dressed in a formal kimono himself, his forehead protector and his bandages stowed safely away in his room. Tenten had never really seen Neji without anything on his head. But it wasn't the curse seal that drew her eyes to his face; it was the way he smiling. And his smile was apparently contagious because she couldn't stop smiling herself.

From here on, he belonged to only one woman. His woman was before him, dressed elegantly and beautifully, and she looked a little shocked and shy at his kiss. The audience erupted into cheers and applause when the new couple bowed to them.

Sasuke stood to the side, observing quietly as he leaned against a wall of some sort. His dark eyes would flicker from random faces to a certain kunoichi's unintentionally. Or so he told himself. Completely unintentional.

"Good morning." A man with white eyes greeted him. By the looks of the green curse seal marked on the forehead, the man was from the Branch house.

Sasuke inclined his head forward but remained silent. As usual, his cold demeanor took over and ignored the man. He turned again when the man started to speak. "A woman asked for you."

"Who?" His voice betrayed nothing.

"A pink haired woman. Haruno Sakura."

He immediately looked for Sakura in the crowds. Narrowing his eyes in suspicion, he glared at the Hyuuga. He was unafraid. There was nothing Sasuke could do anyway. "She is waiting for you in the garden."

He nodded and went, a part of him wondering what she wanted. Arriving at the garden, he sat down on a bench that faced a small pond full of lily pads. A petite body took a seat next to him.

"Why did you bring me here?" He asked monotonously.

"I didn't. I merely asked for you. The choice to come was yours." She replied. Neither of them faced the other. They kept their eyes on the pond.

"Why did you ask for me?" The Uchiha felt dumb for asking, but he getting irritated by her silence.

Sakura didn't speak for a while. "I wanted to take you somewhere."

Wordlessly, she walked away, leading him away from the party and the laughter. Hesitantly he followed, curious where she wanted to take him. His eyes focused on the young lady before him, surprised that she grown a little more over the two years. He had hardly seen her during those years and it was evident that she was avoiding him. He didn't mind. She could ignore him for another two and leave him unfazed and at peace.

But that would be a lie.

In truth, he had silently missed her and everyone, and he silently longed for companionship. After witnessing the Hyuuga getting married, Sasuke knew he was missing something. However, his attention soon shifted from her to the road on which they were walking on. It seemed terrifyingly familiar. He stopped. This was the road that led to the Uchiha Massacre.

Sakura noticed and turned around. She had been walking a good five feet ahead of him, but it was obvious that he had stopped. His graceful shuffles of footsteps had ceased to continue. Her eyes traveled from his feet to his face, which had crumbled into a look of fear. Fear was etched all over his face as his eyes were glazed over.

"Sasuke?"

Suddenly, Sasuke snapped out of his trance and glared at her in anger. Uncontrolled anger. He swiftly walked to her, seizing her by the wrist painfully, enough to make her wince. "What the hell do you think you're doing?" He snarled.

Sakura tried to pull her wrist away. His grip didn't release it. "You need to get past that day, Sasuke."

"Who are you to tell me when to move on?" He snapped, his hand constricting even more painfully around her wrist.

"Sasuke, I made a mistake. I'm sorry." She said quietly, her eyes were staring at his chest.

"Why have you been avoiding me?" He demanded from her, though his tone was less icy from before. Sasuke shook her a bit when she didn't answer. "Why?"

"Because…" She tried, but her voice broke, slightly startling herself. The kunoichi cleared her throat. "Because I don't want to be around people that say that they can't love." Her voice was quiet and soft, but they rang like a gong in Sasuke's head.

"So, you hate me?" He asked, his grip slackening a little.

There was no reply. The Uchiha let go of her and let her pass, his gaze elsewhere on the ground. She brushed past him and started to walk away.

"Will you teach me?"

Sakura stopped, almost losing her balance at the question. She whirled around, but he was still standing away from her, where she had been planning to leave him. "What did you say?"

The tall, lean figure slowly turned around lazily, hands in pockets. His posture was languid and relaxed as his face remained in that apathetic countenance. "I asked if you could teach me."

"Teach you what?" Sakura gaped at him like an incoherent child.

"What you call love. Will you teach me?"

Tears slid down her porcelain face as she understood his question. "Love can't be taught to you. It isn't something you can read out of a book." She said in a desperate voice.

"Aa."

"What do you want to learn?" She asked, her arms spread in front of her in an inquiring manner.

"I've forgotten what it feels like to love, Sakura." He turned sideways and stared at the sky. The wind scattered his bangs across his face. "But maybe, I've felt it before. I don't know. Can you relearn things?"

Sasuke was surprised to feel a pair of arms wrap around his chest from behind. This was the third time they had been in that position. Except he was much taller than her now, but it felt so perfect.

"Relearning is easy. Yes, I will teach you. Everyone will. Are you willing to love them back?" She whispered to his muscular back.

His face seemed to falter, but then he remembered that Itachi was dead. There was no one to take away his loved ones again. Never again. This time he was stronger. He could prevent it.

"Are you willing to accept them back, Sasuke?"

He could love them all back; it just would need some patience and time. He really didn't know what love was anymore. If the people around him could accept him back, then he could accept them back in his life.

"Will you protect them?"

He would protect them to no end. If it cost time his life, he would still do so. Was this what love was? The need to protect? The need to make them happy? Sasuke could vaguely recall those times when he had strived to make his parents and his brother happy. But what if the happiness he gave them was not enough? Would they abandon him? Would they discard him like a useless tool? He tensed at the thought.

"Love means to never abandon, Sasuke. Are you willing to never leave them?"

If they didn't, then he wouldn't either. Never again. After revenge, nothing seemed good enough to live for. But if he had people that wanted him to live, wanted him to spend time with them, then he would never leave again.

"Love is not selfish, Sasuke. Are you ready to love them?"

He turned around, breaking the contact of her body from him. Sasuke pulled her closer. "Yes, I am ready."

She seemed to melt into his body when she heard his answer. "Then I've taught you everything I know. I'll help you. Is that ok? Can I help you?"

Sakura looked up at him pleadingly, her apple green eyes gave Sasuke a silent tremor through his body. He could only nod in response.

"Let's go back to the wedding, ne?"

They walked back to the Hyuuga estate. Before entering, he stopped her. "You look pretty today." He said a little awkwardly, but it was done very smoothly and in a gentlemanly way.

A blush crept up to her cheeks. "Thank you."

His face twitched into a half smile. "I've been waiting to make you say that."

Author's notes: I think I changed my mind. I'll continue with this story and see if I can make it longer. More romance oriented, I believe. Ok, I'm happy now. That means no epilogues though. ;; I like writing this story. I don't want to stop, so I won't. The reviews that I read changed my mind, actually. I didn't want people abandon this story, even if it was going to end. Hopefully, I'll write lots more.

A little Gaara stuff. I don't know why I put it there, but that's ok. Everyone is happy.

Thank you endlessly for your reviews! Love you much!